March 2010 Archives

CAERSWS 2 (Griffiths 9, Jenkins 69)
RHYL 2 (M Williams 60, Owen 74)
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - MARCH 27, 2010
ALTHOUGH they twice came from behind to snatch a draw, Rhyl will see Saturday's result at the Recreation Ground as very much two points lost in their bid to qualify for Europe.
The determined Bluebirds took the lead after nine minutes when slick passing between Phil Jones and Graham Jones led to Mark Griffiths' 15-yard shot going in off the post.
Rhyl's nearest effort in the first half saw Phil Doran lash just over the bar from 20 yards after Chris Williams' corner was cleared to the left-back, but it was poor fare from the reigning champions.
Lilywhites keeper Jack Cudworth kept out an Andy Davies shot, but on the hour the scores were level when Matthew Williams' shot from the left-side of the box flew in over custodian David Jones, bringing the former Wales under-21 striker his 20th goal of the season.
Caersws were far from discouraged, though, and on 69 minutes Cudworth made a total mess of dealing with a weak Graham Jones strike, allowing Corey Jenkins to nip in and make it 2-1.
Five minutes later the Lilies were level again when Doran's cross to the back post was headed across the area by Mark Connolly and Gareth Owen scored with a bicycle kick from 12 yards.
And the champions should have won it when a great run from Andrew Pearson saw him break into the box and square for Connolly who looked a good bet to score, but his somewhat weak shot was well saved by Jones.

RHYL: Cudworth, Pearson, Doran, Strong (Ojapah 82), Dowling, Leah, C Williams, Owen, Connolly, M Williams, Kirk (Owens 90). Subs: Naylor, Heenan.

RHYL FC RESULTS 2009/10
Aug 15 - Carmarthen Town (WPL - home) 2-1 (Strong, M Williams)
Aug 21 - Airbus UK Broughton (WPL - away) 2-2 (Hunt 2)
Aug 25 - Airbus UK Broughton (LC - a) 2-1 (Hunt, Owen)
Aug 29 - Port Talbot (WPL - h) 2-0 (M Williams, Hunt)
Sep 1 - Prestatyn Town (LC - h) 2-1 (Naylor, Connolly)
Sep 5 - Gap Connah's Quay (WPL - a) 2-0 (M Williams, Connolly)
Sep 11 - Bangor City (WPL - h) 5-1 (Hunt 2, M Williams pen, C Williams, Connolly)
Sep 19 - Newtown (WPL - a) 4-2 (M Williams 2, Strong, Connolly)
Sep 22 - Airbus (LC - h) 4-0 (Connolly 2, Kirk, Doran)
Sep 26 - Porthmadog (WPL - h) 4-0 (Connolly 3, Kirk)
Oct 3 - Llanfairpwll (WC-a) 3-1 (Connolly 2, Smith)
Oct 6 - Prestatyn Town (LC-a) 3-0 (Connolly, Hunt, C Williams)
Oct 9 - Bala Town (WPL-a) 4-0 (Smith, Doran, Horan, Hunt)
Oct 17 - Neath (WPL-a) 0-2
Oct 23 - Elements Cefn Druids (WPL-a) 1-1 (M Williams)
Oct 27 - Porthmadog (LCQF-a) 4-1 (Connolly 2, M Williams 2)
Oct 31 - Bridgend Town (WC-h) 4-2 (Connolly, M Williams, Strong, C Williams)
Nov 7 - Llanelli (WPL-h) 0-0
Nov 10 - Gap Connah's Quay (a-LCSF 1st leg) 1-2 (Connolly)
Nov 14 - Caersws (WPL-h) 3-1 (Connolly, Hunt 2)
Nov 17 - Gap Connah's Quay (h-LCSF 2nd leg) 4-0 (Connolly, Hunt, Smith 2)
Nov 22 - The New Saints (a-WPL) 0-4
Nov 29 - Haverfordwest County (h-WPL) 1-2 (Strong)
Dec 5 - Aberystwyth Town (a-WPL) 2-2 (Leah, Hunt)
Dec 12 - Technogroup Welshpool (h-WPL) 4-1 (Leah, C Williams, Hunt, Owen)
Dec 16 - Colwyn Bay (a-NWCC) 1-0 (Stones)
Dec 26 - Prestatyn Town (a-WPL) 0-0
Jan 2 - Prestatyn Town (h-WPL) 1-1 (Leah)
Jan 16 - Port Talbot (a-WPL) 1-2 (Turner)
Jan 23 - Gap Connah's Quay (h-WPL) 4-1 (Connolly, Horan, M Williams 2)
Jan 26 - Airbus UK Broughton (h-WPL) 2-1 (M Williams pen, Turner)
Jan 30 - Pontardawe Town (h-WCR4) 7-0 (Leah 3, Connolly 2, Turner, Kirk)
Feb 7 - Bangor City (a-WPL) 1-3 (M Williams pen)
Feb 14 - Newtown (h-WPL) 4-2 (Strong, M Williams, Owens, Kirk)
Feb 20 - Porthmadog (a-WPL) 2-0 (Strong, Connolly)
Feb 24 - Bala Town (h-WPL) 5-2 (Pearson, C Williams, Connolly 2, Turner)
Feb 27 - Prestatyn Town (a-WC) 4-4 (Connolly 2, M Williams, Turner) - Lost 5-4 pens
Mar 6 - Neath (h-WPL) 0-1
Mar 13 - Elements Cefn Druids (h-WPL) 6-0 (M Williams 3, 1 pen, Connolly, C Williams, Pearson)
Mar 27 - Caersws (a-WPL) 2-2 (M Williams, Owen)

GOALS (103): 27 - Mark Connolly; 20 - Matthew Williams; 13 - Lee Hunt; 6 - Chris Williams, John Leah, Greg Strong; 5 - Rob Turner; 4 - Tyrone Kirk, Paul Smith; 3 - Gareth Owen; 2 - Andrew Pearson, George Horan, Phil Doran; 1 - Martyn Naylor, Greg Stones, Andy Owens.

RHYL REMAINING FIXTURES (league games unless stated)
Mar 27: Caersws (a)
Apr 2: The New Saints (h)
Apr 10: Haverfordwest County (a)
Apr 13: Carmarthen Town (a)
Apr 17: Aberystwyth Town (h)
Apr 22: Llanelli (a)
Apr 24: Technogroup Welshpool (a)
Apr 27: The New Saints (League Cup Final at Airbus)

CAERSWS v RHYL
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
MARCH 27, 2010
VICTORY for Rhyl on Saturday will edge them to within two points of third-placed Aberystwyth with a game in hand and a vastly superior goal difference.
But in view of the recent shock results in the Welsh Premier, Lilywhites player-manager Greg Strong insists there will be no complacency in the champions' camp when they take on next bottom Caersws.
"I always tell the players they've got to prepare as though they are preparing to play the very best for every game," said Strong.
"Caersws won't be treated any differently to anyone else - we'll show them the utmost respect."
Strong recalled Rhyl having it anything but easy last November when his team had to battle hard to beat the Bluebirds 3-1 at Belle Vue.
"They gave us a tough game at our place; they were well organised and did well. I'm expecting it to be the same on Saturday."
Rhyl striker Rob Turner is still struggling to overcome a groin strain and may well miss out again, while utility man Russell Courtney is absent due to an ankle injury.
Winger Tyrone Kirk has a good chance of being involved despite an ankle problem spoiling his chances of a trial at Scottish Premier League club St Johnstone last week.
Strong said Kirk may still get an opportunity to go through his paces for the Saints, but insisted Rhyl's needs must come first.
"It's a case of wait and see," added the boss. "It would have been convenient for him to go there last week because of the way games fell for us, but now we'll need to find a window for when it doesn't clash with our schedule. We're still hopeful it can be rearranged, though. We'd never want to stand in a player's way."
RHYL v CAERSWS - WELSH PREMIER HEAD-TO-HEAD
PLAYED: 31
RHYL WON: 16
CAERSWS WON: 8
DRAWS: 7

THE battle to win the 2009/10 Welsh Premier League title looks to be a straight two-horse race between the leading pair The New Saints and Llanelli - unless we get a few more of those shock results of the past week!
But the sprint for third spot to qualify for the Europa League is less clear-cut.
Depending on who wins the Welsh Cup, fourth place could still guarantee entry into Europe, but third position will be the chief target for a handful of ambitious clubs.
Let's run the rule over the four main candidates.

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN: Played 29 Points 56. Current position - 3rd.
Since Alan Morgan took over the helm last November there has been a total turnaround in fortunes for Aberystwyth.
Players such as Geoff Kellaway, Luke Bowen and Ryan Fraughan have really come to the fore and made the Park Avenue outfit favourites for third place.
Town have two very winnable away games coming up and if they can pick up six points they will really be in the driving seat. Anything less than a maximum haul and it could be tricky with their last three games coming against Llanelli, Rhyl and TNS.
Remaining fixtures: Mar 30: Technogroup Welshpool (a); Apr 3: Elements Cefn Druids (a); Apr 9: Llanelli (h); Apr 17: Rhyl (a); Apr 24: The New Saints (h).
PREDICTED POINTS TOTAL: 65. PREDICTED POSITION: 4th

RHYL: Played 27 Points 51. Current position - 4th.
Greg Strong's new-look side have generally impressed of late and if Mark Connolly and Matthew Williams keep banging in the goals they will be knocking firmly on the Euro door come the end of April.
The Lilywhites have a tough run-in, though, with tough trips to Super 12 aspirants Haverfordwest and Carmarthen as well as meetings with top three Llanelli, TNS and Aberystwyth.
Remaining fixtures: Mar 27: Caersws (a); Apr 2: The New Saints (h); Apr 10: Haverfordwest County (a); Apr 13: Carmarthen Town (a); Apr 17: Aberystwyth Town (h); Apr 22: Llanelli (a); Apr 24: Technogroup Welshpool (a).
PREDICTED POINTS TOTAL: 67. PREDICTED POSITION: 3rd

PORT TALBOT: Played 27 Points 48. Current position - 5th.
Mark Jones' men are enjoying a great season but unlike Aber and Rhyl have the Welsh Cup as a distraction.
The Steelmen have faltered in the last couple of games and still have hard games at Prestatyn, Bangor and Neath to come, but they are capable of picking up enough points to push for the top three.
Several Port players have really excelled this term, not least goalkeeper Lee Kendall, top scorer Martin Rose and ace in the pack Liam McCreesh and I think they have a decent chance of getting into Europe for the first time via one route or another.
Remaining fixtures: Mar 27: Gap Connah's Quay (h); Mar 30: Prestatyn Town (a); Apr 3: Bangor City (a); Apr 7: Neath (a); Apr 17: Porthmadog (a); Apr 24: Bala Town (h); TBA: Newtown (h).
PREDICTED POINTS TOTAL: 62 PREDICTED POSITION: 6th

BANGOR CITY: Played 27 Points 46. Current position - 6th.
Coming up on the rails are Neville Powell's side who look a good bet to qualify for Europe anyway through the Welsh Cup they have won for the past two seasons.
City have the best strike force in the league in Jamie Reed, Ashley Stott, Lee Hunt and Les Davies and if they can avoid injuries will pick up a lot of points between now and the end of the campaign.
Their closing matches are certainly not as demanding as some of the other contenders for third place.
Remaining fixtures: Mar 27: Neath (a); Apr 3: Port Talbot (h); Apr 5: Porthmadog (a); Apr 13: Airbus UK Broughton (h); Apr 17: Caersws (h); Apr 20: Gap Connah's Quay (a); Apr 24: Newtown (h).
PREDICTED POINTS TOTAL: 63 PREDICTED POSITION: 5th

PREDICTED FINAL POSITIONS - 3rd to 6th
Rhyl 34-67
Aberystwyth Town 34-65
Bangor City 34-63
Port Talbot 34-62

TYRONE KIRK will now not be going on trial at St Johnstone this week due to an ankle injury.
The Scottish Premier League club have shown an interest in the Rhyl winger who was due to spend a week at McDiarmid Park, but Lilywhites player-manager Greg Strong reported today that Kirk will now not be travelling to Scotland as he does not consider himself fit enough.
Strong also pointed out that the scheduled visit to Perth would only have been a trial and that Kirk remains a Rhyl player until at least the end of this season.
The player-boss added that depending on his progress this week, Kirk will be in contention for next weekend's match at Llanelli.
St Johnstone returned to the SPL this season and their squad includes ex-Chelsea stars Jody Morris and Michael Duberry as well as Scottish scoring legend Dr Kenny Deuchar.
No doubt with a surname like Kirk, the Saints fans would soon christen the flying winger Tartan Tyrone.

RHYL 6 (M Williams 17, 80 pen & 81, Connolly 60, C Williams 66, Pearson 90+2)
ELEMENTS CEFN DRUIDS 0
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - MARCH 13, 2010
RHYL will never have a better chance to set a new club record victory in the Welsh Premier League than they had today.
As well as scoring six goals against bottom side Druids at Belle Vue, the Lilywhites also hit the woodwork four times - including once from a missed penalty.
But at the final whistle, that 7-0 win against Llanelli in the 2000/01 season still stands as the Lilies' biggest in the WPL.
Hat-trick hero Matthew Williams will also feel he should have posted a new record as the Rhyl player to score the most goals in a single WPL game. Williams struck the uprights three times, including from the second penalty he failed to convert.
As it is, Tim Steel's four goals against Briton Ferry Athletic on October 26, 1996, has yet to be equalled or surpassed.
But these are not criticisms - just the frustrations of a sad statto!
And player-manager Greg Strong could have no complaints after a total hammering of Druids left his team hot on the heels of third-placed Aberystwyth.
Port Talbot's failure to win at Airbus and Neath's last minute home loss to TNS also put daylight between the top four and the rest.
Going into today's game on the back of two defeats, Rhyl had to withstand some early Druids pressure with Josh Russell feeding the ball from midfield and Craig Whitfield's pace taking him clear in the box but he blasted hurriedly wide.
Rhyl somehow failed to take the lead on 16 minutes when following Tyrone Kirk's great cross from the right, a grounded Mark Connolly scooped the ball up, sent his overhead kick against the bar and from the rebound Gareth Owen's goalbound header hit Drew Wickens and Druids scrambled the ball away for a corner.
A minute later, however, Andrew Pearson looped the ball high across the six-yard box, Chris Williams hooked into the danger zone and Matthew Williams scored with a shot on the turn.
The champions were on top but a bit leisurely overall. They needed to step up the pace to put the Ancients to the sword but were unable to do so in the opening 45 minutes.
John Leah's rocket cleared the bar while Owen had a great chance 18 yards out but hit the shot with the outside of his foot and the ball went wide.
HALF-TIME: Rhyl 1 Druids 0
After the break a different home side emerged. Pearson's pinpoint cross from the right was met on the volley by Matthew Williams but the ball smacked the bar again.
Then came a possible turning point as Whitfield was put clean through for Druids, but as he so often does, Jack Cudworth made a crucial save, this time with his legs.
From here, the hosts went into another gear and on the hour a brilliant low cross from the left by the outstanding Chris Williams was put away by Connolly who celebrated his 27th goal of the season.
Chris Williams was irresistable and in the 66th minute he cut in from the left, worked his way into a central position and from 20 yards drilled a beauty into the bottom corner. The sort of goal he should score more often given his undoubted talent.
In the 80th minute a foul on Strong in the box from a corner led to the award of a penalty which Matthew Williams took and converted but the referee ordered a retake. Williams' second kick was even more convincing - 4-0.
A minute later a neat ball from Pearson found Matthew Williams whose thunderbolt went in off the bar to complete his hat-trick and register Rhyl's 100th goal in all competitions this term.
Soon after Phil Doran made a dynamic run into the box and centred to Connolly who was clipped by Wickens - another penalty.
This time Matthew Williams opted for pure power but only succeeded in rattling the crossbar.
Moments later Chris Williams' cross from the left picked out Matthew Williams but he struck the frame for the third time with a glancing header.
Cudworth denied Jon Rush as Druids sought a consolation, but two minutes into injury time the fabulous Pearson latched on to a ball over the defence from Owen and applied a lovely angled finish to make it 6-0.

RHYL: Cudworth, Pearson, Doran, Strong (Ojapah 85), Dowling, Leah, C Williams, Owen, Connolly, M Williams, Kirk (Heenan 76), Unused subs: Owens, Naylor.

MATCH FACTS
GOALS: Rhyl 6 Druids 0
ATTEMPTS: Rhyl 22 Druids 6
ON TARGET: Rhyl 14 Druids 4
CORNERS: Rhyl 7 Druids 3
YELLOW CARDS: Rhyl 2 Druids 1
RED CARDS: Rhyl 0 Druids 0
ATTENDANCE: 348
LO MAN OF THE MATCH
Chris Williams (Rhyl)
Best performance in a Rhyl shirt since his early weeks at the club.

RHYL FC RESULTS 2009/10
Aug 15 - Carmarthen Town (WPL - home) 2-1 (Strong, M Williams)
Aug 21 - Airbus UK Broughton (WPL - away) 2-2 (Hunt 2)
Aug 25 - Airbus UK Broughton (LC - a) 2-1 (Hunt, Owen)
Aug 29 - Port Talbot (WPL - h) 2-0 (M Williams, Hunt)
Sep 1 - Prestatyn Town (LC - h) 2-1 (Naylor, Connolly)
Sep 5 - Gap Connah's Quay (WPL - a) 2-0 (M Williams, Connolly)
Sep 11 - Bangor City (WPL - h) 5-1 (Hunt 2, M Williams pen, C Williams, Connolly)
Sep 19 - Newtown (WPL - a) 4-2 (M Williams 2, Strong, Connolly)
Sep 22 - Airbus (LC - h) 4-0 (Connolly 2, Kirk, Doran)
Sep 26 - Porthmadog (WPL - h) 4-0 (Connolly 3, Kirk)
Oct 3 - Llanfairpwll (WC-a) 3-1 (Connolly 2, Smith)
Oct 6 - Prestatyn Town (LC-a) 3-0 (Connolly, Hunt, C Williams)
Oct 9 - Bala Town (WPL-a) 4-0 (Smith, Doran, Horan, Hunt)
Oct 17 - Neath (WPL-a) 0-2
Oct 23 - Elements Cefn Druids (WPL-a) 1-1 (M Williams)
Oct 27 - Porthmadog (LCQF-a) 4-1 (Connolly 2, M Williams 2)
Oct 31 - Bridgend Town (WC-h) 4-2 (Connolly, M Williams, Strong, C Williams)
Nov 7 - Llanelli (WPL-h) 0-0
Nov 10 - Gap Connah's Quay (a-LCSF 1st leg) 1-2 (Connolly)
Nov 14 - Caersws (WPL-h) 3-1 (Connolly, Hunt 2)
Nov 17 - Gap Connah's Quay (h-LCSF 2nd leg) 4-0 (Connolly, Hunt, Smith 2)
Nov 22 - The New Saints (a-WPL) 0-4
Nov 29 - Haverfordwest County (h-WPL) 1-2 (Strong)
Dec 5 - Aberystwyth Town (a-WPL) 2-2 (Leah, Hunt)
Dec 12 - Technogroup Welshpool (h-WPL) 4-1 (Leah, C Williams, Hunt, Owen)
Dec 16 - Colwyn Bay (a-NWCC) 1-0 (Stones)
Dec 26 - Prestatyn Town (a-WPL) 0-0
Jan 2 - Prestatyn Town (h-WPL) 1-1 (Leah)
Jan 16 - Port Talbot (a-WPL) 1-2 (Turner)
Jan 23 - Gap Connah's Quay (h-WPL) 4-1 (Connolly, Horan, M Williams 2)
Jan 26 - Airbus UK Broughton (h-WPL) 2-1 (M Williams pen, Turner)
Jan 30 - Pontardawe Town (h-WCR4) 7-0 (Leah 3, Connolly 2, Turner, Kirk)
Feb 7 - Bangor City (a-WPL) 1-3 (M Williams pen)
Feb 14 - Newtown (h-WPL) 4-2 (Strong, M Williams, Owens, Kirk)
Feb 20 - Porthmadog (a-WPL) 2-0 (Strong, Connolly)
Feb 24 - Bala Town (h-WPL) 5-2 (Pearson, C Williams, Connolly 2, Turner)
Feb 27 - Prestatyn Town (a-WC) 4-4 (Connolly 2, M Williams, Turner) - Lost 5-4 pens
Mar 6 - Neath (h-WPL) 0-1
Mar 13 - Elements Cefn Druids (h-WPL) 6-0 (M Williams 3, 1 pen, Connolly, C Williams, Pearson)

GOALS (101): 27 - Mark Connolly; 19 - Matthew Williams; 13 - Lee Hunt; 6 - Chris Williams, John Leah, Greg Strong; 5 - Rob Turner; 4 - Tyrone Kirk, Paul Smith; 2 - Andrew Pearson, George Horan, Phil Doran, Gareth Owen; 1 - Martyn Naylor, Greg Stones, Andy Owens.

RHYL winger Tyrone Kirk has been invited for a trial by Scottish Premier League club St Johnstone.
The 24-year-old speedster, who joined the Lilywhites on loan from Macclesfield at the start of this season before the deal became permanent in January, packed his bags for Perth immediately after today's game against Cefn Druids and will initially spend a week at McDiarmid Park.
"It's a great opportunity for Tyrone and proves how highly regarded our players are," said Lilies player-manager Greg Strong.
"We'll never stand in a player's way if he wants to better himself, in fact we encourage it. We realise our players are in the shop window and opportunities like this will happen."
Kirk has made a total of 30 appearances for Rhyl this season, netting four goals.
He has become a big fans' favourite with his pace and trickery down the flanks.

RHYL v ELEMENTS CEFN DRUIDS
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 2.30pm.
RHYL will run fitness checks on two players ahead of tomorrow's home league clash against rock bottom Elements Cefn Druids (2.30pm).
Striker Rob Turner, who came off with a groin pull in last Saturday's game against Neath, and defender Philip Ojapah, who missed the 1-0 defeat due to injury, will need to be assessed.
The Lilywhites otherwise hope to have a full squad to take on a Druids side which upset the odds by winning 4-3 at Belle Vue last season in a thriller.
Waynne Phillips and Lee Jones' side also held the champions 1-1 at Plaskynaston back in October, but in overall WPL tussles Rhyl have by far the superior record, boasting 12 wins to Druids' five with four draws.
"I think it will be a tough game," said Rhyl player-manager Greg Strong.
"When we played them at their place earlier in the season they were very well-organised and even though they are bottom of the table there is no question of us taking them lightly."

WHO is the Welsh Premier League's leading goalscorer across all three main domestic competitions this season?
Perennial chart-topper Rhys Griffiths of Llanelli? Bangor City's on-fire Jamie Reed? all-time league record marksman Marc Lloyd Williams?
No. The player to have scored the most goals in the Welsh Premier, Welsh Cup and Loosemores League Cup combined is a midfielder having the season of his life.
Rhyl's Mark Connolly has netted a remarkable 26 goals this term - almost as many as he managed in his entire first four seasons with the Lilywhites.
Despite a season of disruption at Belle Vue which has seen so many of Connolly's team-mates depart the champions and almost led to the player himself leaving the club, the goals have just kept on flowing for the 25-year-old Wirralian.
Connolly is joint fifth in the WPL chart with 11 goals, but he has also notched eight in the League Cup and seven in the Welsh Cup. He is top netfinder in both the main cup competitions.
While almost certain to finish League Cup leading marksman, Connolly's seven in the Welsh Cup could still be passed by Martin Rose of Port Talbot (6) and Reed (5).
In the all-competitions goals table, Connolly's 26 heads the likes of Griffiths (25), Reed (20), Rose (19), Chris Sharp (18) and Lloyd Williams (15). Griffiths has the most league goals (18) with Reed and Sharp both on 15.
All the other goal-getters in the list are strikers, making Connolly's performances from midfield (he has played in a handful of games up front) all the more amazing.
Connolly joined Rhyl at the start of the 2005/06 season and has been one of the most Lilies' most consistent players ever since.
Although always likely to produce a goal from long range or via one of his trademark free-kicks, the player's scoring record in his first four campaigns was moderate, although two hat-tricks appeared on his record as well as a double in Rhyl's Inter-Toto Cup defeat to Bohemian of Dublin in 2008 (he also forced the own goal from Ken Oman in the away leg of that tie).
Before this season Connolly had scored 27 goals for Rhyl in total - now he has almost equalled that over the past eight months with a possible nine matches still to play.
He also set a modern-day club record this term when he scored in eight successive games, a feat matched by no Rhyl player going back at least 20 years and beyond.
The Lilywhites nearly lost him in the transfer window when due to the club's financial difficulties Connolly was on the verge of joining Colwyn Bay, but an 11th hour rescue package kept him on board.
And no-one was more pleased than Rhyl player-manager Greg Strong, whose decision to play Conno in a more advanced role this season has certainly paid dividends.
"When I first came here (as a player) Conno was seen as a right-back, but I felt with all his eagerness and energy there was a lot more to his game, so when I got the job (this season as manager) I started pushing him upfield," said Strong.
"With his ability to work from box-to-box and get on the end of things I did expect him to get a few goals, but I'd be lying if I said I thought he'd get as many as he has.
"Conno is one of those players where you get everything it says on the tin. You know you'll get 150% from him in every game and he's an inspiration to all around him.
"If he keeps doing what he's doing, who knows how many more goals he'll get? Credit too, though, to the other players who've been creating the chances for him."
Connolly's goalscoring feats are certainly getting him noticed, so does Strong fear he might lose his star netbuster?
"We as a club like to think we are pushing our young players in the right direction and on to better things," he stressed.
"Of course we want to keep our best players, but we would never stand in a player's way if he had the chance to better himself."
WELSH PREMIER LEADING GOALSCORERS (League, Welsh Cup, League Cup)
26 - Mark Connolly (Rhyl)
25 - Rhys Griffiths (Llanelli)
20 - Jamie Reed (Bangor City)
19 - Martin Rose (Port Talbot)
18 - Chris Sharp (TNS)