DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH CLASH AT BELLE VUE

RHYL v PONTARDAWE TOWN
WELSH CUP FOURTH ROUND
SATURDAY, JAN 30, 2010
RHYL'S attacking options will be boosted for tomorrow's home Welsh Cup clash with Pontardawe Town with striker Lee Hunt due back from a four-game suspension.
But the Lilywhites will be without winger Chris Williams, who starts a three-match ban after his dismissal for violent conduct in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Airbus.
With Lilies new striker Rob Turner and Matthew Williams linking well up front in the last three matches, producing four goals between them, Hunt will perhaps be by no means certain to win his place back.
Tomorrow's tie against 12th placed Welsh League Division One outfit Pontardawe is sure to be an emotional occasion for Rhyl midfielder Mark Connolly, who is set to play his last game for the club before joining Colwyn Bay.
Rhyl player-manager Greg Strong says while he accepts his team will be favourites against lower-league opposition, nothing will be taken for granted.
"It's going to be tough, it will be their cup final, but I always tell the players to prepare like they would for Real Madrid or Manchester United. We won't look at Pontardawe any differently than we would if we were playing anyone else."
Strong is proud at the way his players have performed in recent games, despite the clouds of uncertainly hanging over Belle Vue.
Back-to-back league victories over Gap Connah's Quay and Airbus UK Broughton have taken the Lilywhites up to third in the Welsh Premier, keeping their remote hopes of retaining their title alive.
The Rhyl player-boss could only praise the team for the way they battled back from a goal down against Airbus to win 2-1 with 10 men.
"The lads did exceptionally well," said Strong. "In the first half we were disappointing but we had a few words at half time and in the second half we were much more organised and put in a thoroughly professional performance.
"I was really proud of the players for the way they battled and defended so well when we came under pressure."
Pontardawe will be no pushovers, having won 3-0 at Welsh League leaders Goytre and beaten Llandudno 2-0 in previous rounds. They last reached the Welsh Cup fourth round in 1981/82 where they lost 5-1 to Wrexham.