RHYL STAY TOP AFTER COUNTY VICTORY

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY 1 (Christopher pen 89)
RHYL 3 (G Owen 42, N Roberts 44, Holden 80)
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - JAN 24, 2009
IT is 50-50 at the top of the Welsh Premier after both Rhyl and Llanelli recorded convincing victories this afternoon.
The top two have 50 points apiece and 50-50 is perhaps the best way to describe the title race with the eventual outcome of the championship very hard to call at present.
Each of the chief two contenders have 14 matches left with TNS back in third five points behind and having played a game more.
Rhyl coasted to a comfortable victory at New Bridge Meadow today and maintained their unbeaten away record in the WPL.
The Lilywhites went close early when a Chris Roberts free-kick fell to George Horan who drilled tantalisingly across the face of goal with Neil Roberts narrowly failing to get a touch.
Soon after Craig Jones was fouled on the edge of the area by Dylan Blain and Luke Holden's skidding free-kick forced a fine stop from Lee Idzi.
Neil Roberts was then twice denied in a goalmouth scramble and the loose ball was fired past the post by Horan.
It looked inevitable the leaders would score and they did so on 40 minutes when Matty Williams picked out Holden whose fierce shot proved too powerful for Idzi to hold and who else was first on the scene but the ever-energetic Gareth Owen to tap in from virtually on the goal-line.
Two minutes later more good build-up from the visitors saw Owen chip to the back post and Neil Roberts headed in his 16th goal this term.
Rhyl keeper Michael Jones had not been overly busy but just before the break he made a superb reaction stop from a close range Jack Christopher effort.
HALF-TIME: 0-2.
The fast, flowing football from the Lilies continued after the break, Greg Stones and Matty Williams combining to find Holden who fired straight at Idzi.
Luke Sherbon came on for Danny Williams and added more fizz to the Rhyl attack while Jamie Reed replaced Craig Jones.
Neil Roberts' knock-down arrived at the feet of Matty Williams whose well-struck volley was pushed behind by Idzi.
Holden was then inches wide with a left-footer before number three finally arrived on 82 minutes.
A slick three-man move saw Neil Roberts provided a slide rule pass for Holden who left Lee Jarman standing and neatly worked the ball on to his left foot and flicked past the advancing Idzi. Game well and truly over.
A minute from time Haverfordwest won the dodgiest penalty of the season.
Dyfan Pierce fed the ball into the area and it clearly struck substitute Paul O'Neill in the stomach yet referee Neil Morgan pointed to the spot.
Christopher converted from 12 yards but that was the only setback in an otherwise impressive performance from Allan Bickerstaff's men.
RHYL: M Jones, Stones, C Roberts, Horan (O'Neill 82), Strong, D Williams (Sherbon 56), G Owen, Holden, N Roberts, M Williams, C Jones (Reed 56). Att: 182.

RHYL FC RESULTS 2008/09
Aug 16, 2008 - Newtown (h-lge) 3-0 (Stones, N Roberts, Reed)
Aug 19, 2008 - Airbus UK Broughton (h-LC) 6-1 (C Owen 2, Jones 2, N Roberts, D Williams)
Aug 23, 2008 - Caernarfon Town (a-lge) 1-0 (Horan)
Aug 30, 2008 - Llanelli (h-lge) 5-1 (Strong, Reed, N Roberts 2, Johnson)
Sep 02, 2008 - Welshpool Town (h-LC) 1-2 (Jones)
Sep 05, 2008 - Porthmadog (a-lge) 3-0 (Reed, N Roberts, Jones)
Sep 13, 2008 - Haverfordwest County (h-lge) 2-0 (Reed 2)
Sep 21, 2008 - Neath Athletic (a-lge) 2-2 (Reed, Stones)
Sep 23, 2008 - Airbus UK Broughton (a-LC) 4-0 (C Owen 2, C Roberts, Johnson)
Sep 27, 2008 - Aberystwyth Town (h-lge) 0-0
Oct 04, 2008 - Castell Alun Colts (h-WC R2) 8-0 (Jones, Strong, Johnson, O'Neill, C Owen 2, M Williams 2)
Oct 07, 2008 - Welshpool Town (a-LC) 2-0 (C Roberts, C Owen)
Oct 10, 2008 - Connah's Quay Nomads (h-lge) 2-0 (Horan, O'Neill)
Oct 18, 2008 - Carmarthen Town (h-lge) 3-0 (G Owen, N Roberts 2)
Oct 28, 2008 - Bangor City (a-LC) 1-3 (aet) (Strong)
Nov 1, 2008 - Haverfordwest County (h-WC) 4-0 (Horan, M Williams, N Roberts 2)
Nov 8, 2008 - Caersws (h-lge) 3-1 (Wilson, Williams og, Johnson)
Nov 11, 2008 - Bangor City (a-lge) 2-0 (Reed, N Roberts)
Nov 15, 2008 - Port Talbot Town (h-lge) 2-3 (M Williams, G Owen)
Nov 21, 2008 - Airbus UK Broughton (a-lge) 3-1 (N Roberts, Strong, Jones)
Nov 29, 2008 - Technogroup Welshpool (h-lge) 7-1 (G Owen, M Williams 3, 1 pen, Stones, Wilson, Johnson)
Dec 6, 2008 - The New Saints (a-lge) 3-0 (N Roberts, Horan, Stones)
Dec 12, 2008 - NEWI Cefn Druids (h-lge) 3-4 (Stones, N Roberts, Horan)
Dec 20, 2008 - Newtown (a-lge) 2-1 (M Williams 2)
Dec 27, 2008 - Prestatyn Town (h-lge) 7-2 (Reed 2, M Williams pen, Johnson, G Owen 2, O'Neill)
Jan 17, 2009 - Porthmadog (h-lge) 2-0 (Strong, N Roberts)
Jan 20, 2009 - Llanrug United (h-NWCC) 6-0 (Holden 2, N Roberts, G Owen, A Owen og, C Jones)
Jan 24, 2009 - Haverfordwest County (a-lge) 3-1 (G Owen, N Roberts, Holden)

GOALS (90): 16 - Neil Roberts; 10 - Matthew Williams; 9 - Jamie Reed; 7 - Carl Owen, Craig Jones, Gareth Owen; 6 - Josh Johnson; 5 - George Horan, Greg Stones, Greg Strong; 3 - Luke Holden, Paul O'Neill; 2 - Gareth Wilson, Chris Roberts; 1 - Danny Williams, 2 own goals.