North Wales Blogs - Lilywhites Online with Dave Jones

SKY ARE OFF THIS PLANET

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 02:50:36 +0000

RHYL are still in the Welsh Premier League - according to out-of-tune Sky Sports.
As most of you will know Sky Sports News display final league tables from across Britain and Europe throughout their summer bulletins.
However, they obviously have no idea as to what is going on with the Welsh Premier as they have only two clubs listed as going down - the bottom two Caersws and Cefn Druids.
Have they not been told about the Super 12 and the fact six clubs have been relegated?
It makes a mockery of the whole thing, that is unless Sky are making a stand and stubbornly only recognising the WPL a 16-team league - something many among us would have preferred.
It is appreciated that Sky publish latest WPL scores and scorers alongside the "big boys" throughout the football season on a Saturday afternoon, but someone in authority in Cardiff should put a call in to the satellite giant informing them more than two clubs have been relegated.

KEY PLAYERS RE-SIGN FOR LILYWHITES

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 02:42:50 +0000

RHYL FC have re-signed a number of key players for next season as they bid to plan a return to the top flight.
One of the biggest boosts for Lilywhites fans is the agreement of first-team captain John Leah to sign a new 18-month deal.
Last season's Players' Player and Managers Player of the Year signed for Rhyl in April of last year following his surprise release from The New Saints.
The retention of Leah, 31, follows the encouraging news that two of the club's most promising talents will also remain at Belle Vue next season.
Both 19-year-old Shaun Dowling, who plays centre-back and who was released from Chester City in 2008/2009, and Andy Pearson, 20, a utility player who was once a regular with Bolton Wanderers' reserve and youth teams, have signed for two years.
Dowling had a superb debut campaign for the Lilies in defence, filling the gap left by the departure of George Horan in February, while Pearson made an immediate impact with his pace and ball skills.
Also staying with Rhyl is Chris Williams, the former Stockport County winger who has put pen to paper on a two-year basis.
"Chris performed well last season and has the bit of quality that we need in the tight games to unlock the defences," stated Rhyl player-manager Greg Strong.
The only blow to the Lilywhites so far has been the departure of last season's 30-goal top scorer Mark Connolly to phoenix club Chester FC where the 25-year-old is reunited with manager Neil Young, former number two to John Hulse at Rhyl.
Probably the best news of all for Rhyl followers, however, is the agreement of Strong to stay on as manager for another three years.
The former Bolton Wanderers and Motherwell defender has enjoyed two successful seasons at Belle Vue, winning the Welsh Premier title as a player in 2008/09 and then taking over as player-manager last term, leading the Lilies to sixth place in the most difficult of circumstances.
Strong has also agreed to take over as Academy manager for the forthcoming season and beyond.
Rhyl will play in the Cymru Alliance next season after failing to secure the domestic licence necessary to stay in the WPL, but the club is determined to bounce back to the top flight as soon as possible.

POSITIVE MOVE

Thu, 27 May 2010 15:19:46 +0000

RHYL have made the first step towards a more positive future by capturing Greg Strong on a new three-year contract.
Greg did a fantastic job for the Lilywhites in difficult circumstances last season and is surely the man to re-establish Rhyl as a leading force in the Welsh Premier.
His professionalism, experience and ability to build a team spirit make him the perfect man to lead the Lilies to future glories.
Like all previous Rhyl managers I have worked with, Greg has never been anything but helpful and supportive to me in my quest to cover the club.
It is sad to see Dave Milner step down as managing director but I can fully understand his reason for doing so and in Jamie Digwood Rhyl have an excellent successor - another man with experience on how football clubs should be run.
Further announcements are expected this week on playing staff and club officials.
Rhyl FC have suffered a major blow in losing their Welsh Premier League status but have reacted in the right way by coming out and quashing the misfounded rumours surrounding the club and acting quickly towards forming positive plans for the future.
Here's hoping for more positive news in the coming days.

STRONG SIGNS THREE-YEAR CONTRACT

Thu, 27 May 2010 15:00:15 +0000

GREG STRONG is to remain player-manager of Rhyl FC having signed a new three-year contract with the Lilywhites.
Although Rhyl have been relegated from the Welsh Premier League after failing to gain a domestic licence and look set to compete in the Cymru Alliance next season, Strong's two years at Belle Vue as both a player and manager have been highly impressive.
In his first season as a player the former Bolton Wanderers and Motherwell defender was part of the Lilies title-winning side.
He was promoted to player-boss at the start of last season and despite the club's financial difficulties and the fact he lost the majority of the squad that had won the championship, Strong built a team good enough to finish sixth in the WPL, just four points off a Europa League place, and also reach the League Cup final.
"I'm delighted to be staying on as player-manager of the best club in Wales," said Strong.
"The season never ends and already I'm busy preparing for the next one. I'm very excited about the future."
Rhyl have also announced Dave Milner is stepping down as managing director to be replaced by Jamie Digwood, who was the club's director of football in 2008/09 before taking a year away.
"It is with mixed feelings that I have decided to step down as managing director," said Milner. "The past 10 years have been a golden period for Rhyl FC.
"Despite the trials and tribulations of this past season I truly believe that, if we all pull together both on and off the field, we can embark on another decade of success for the club.
"I am delighted to announce that Jamie will be returning to the club as managing director; his insight, experience and contacts in the game will serve us well.
"Both Jamie and I are delighted to announce that Greg Strong has agreed to re-commit to the club on a three-year contract as player/manager.
"Greg has been an outstanding player and manager for Rhyl FC. His commitment to the club this past season has been exceptional.
"As for myself, I will remain in a consulting capacity to the managing director as we set and implement the board of director's strategy for the future."
The club will release further information over the coming days regarding the squad for next season and the board of directors/officers.

HOW WAS THIS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?

Tue, 18 May 2010 17:32:59 +0000

FROM champions to relegation in just 12 months - the dramatic fall from grace of Rhyl Football Club is stunning by anyone's standards.
The question is why are one of the best-equipped and most ardently supported clubs in Wales facing life in the second-tier of Welsh football?
The basic answer is the Lilywhites failed to secure their domestic licence on appeal to the FAW on Monday.
But a subsequent follow-up statement from the club has not revealed enough as to why Rhyl are no longer a Welsh Premier outfit.
The reason the two-time champions failed the first round of applications for the all-important licence was they were unable to submit their accounts before the stipulated deadline.
Despite this, the club said it was confident it would meet all the necessary criteria by the time the appeals came round.
However, this was obviously not the case and Rhyl's omission from next season's Super 12 can only have a detrimental effect on the national league.
This was the statement released by the club on Monday: "Rhyl FC are to step back from the Welsh Premier League after the FAW rejected the licence application.
"Financially, the club has had a very difficult second half to the season. The manager, the players and all non-playing staff have been magnificent throughout this difficult period.
"We have taken steps to rationalise the operations and we are actively seeking new sponsors.
"We had hoped to remain at the top of Welsh football whilst working through the residual financial issues.
"Now we will continue to rebuild the club's finances and get back to the WPL as soon as possible."
"Step back"? So, are the club suggesting they decided to pull out rather than them being ejected by their own failure to meet the rules? If so, that begs the question how truly bad are things at the club?
It is obvious from the statement the financial situation at Belle Vue has prevented the club from getting the licence - the question is what happens next?
Can Rhyl recover from this crippling blow, regroup, win the Cymru Alliance and return to the top flight stronger?
Or could this be a case of another top club disappearing into obscurity a la Barry Town and Cwmbran Town. There is no point pretending it could not happen.
Only Rhyl Football Club and whoever is in charge can provide the answers.
Up to now, the fans who have made the Lilywhites the best supported club in the Welsh Premier for the past seven seasons have not been told enough.
They deserve answers. They deserve to be told how things have come to this.
If the club involves its supporters more it could go some way towards finding solutions which are so obviously needed for a better future.
Welsh Premier secretary John Deakin summed up the situation when he said: "Obviously it is disappointing to lose a club of Rhyl's stature and one that arguably has been the best-supported in the league for some years but hopefully they will regroup and return as quickly as possible.
"Rhyl have been hit by well-documented financial problems this season but the licensing criteria laid down was the same for all the clubs in the league."
Rhyl's relegation is all the more galling as player-manager Greg Strong did such a fantastic job last season in the most trying of circumstances.
Having to operate with a vastly reduced budget, Strong lost 15 members of the previous season's title-winning squad yet still managed to finish sixth in the table and reached the League Cup final.
The Rhyl fans were delighted with Strong and his team, many expressing more delight at the achievements than in the previous season when with the now withdrawn financial backing of Peter Parry the Lilywhites won the title.
Strong did not wish to comment on this week's news nor about his future at this stage, but one can only imagine how he, his players and the fans feel right now.
The Welsh Premier without Rhyl just is not right and it should not have been allowed to happen.

RHYL FC - WELSH PREMIER APPEARANCES/GOALS

Fri, 07 May 2010 01:32:30 +0000

RHYL FC - WELSH PREMIER TOP 20 APPEARANCES (sub appearances in brackets)
1 Tim Edwards 226 (3)
2 Gareth Wilson 219 (32)
3 James Brewerton 183 (23)
4 Mark Powell 151 (21)
5 Andy Moran 148 (17)
6 Stuart Graves 144 (18)
7 George Horan 143 (2)
8 Lee Hunt 130 (5)
9 Mark Connolly 127 (18)
10 Greg Stones 112 (12)
11 Paul Smith 110 (0)
12 Scott Millington 106 (66)
13 Gary Curtis 102 (0)
14 Tim Steel 95 (26)
15 Gary Powell 88 (64)
16 Stuart Pickthall 83 (13)
17 Ian Haigh 75 (1)
18 Marc Limbert 74 (8)
19 Chris Adamson 72 (20)
20 Danny Barton 69 (3)

TOP 20 GOALSCORERS
1 Andy Moran 99
2 Lee Hunt 83
3 Danny Barton 41
4 Tim Steel 34
5 Mark Connolly 31
6 Matthew Williams 29
7 Gary Powell 28
8 Tim Edwards 26
9 Chris McGinn 25
10 Gareth Wilson 22
11 Neil Roberts 20
12 Scott Millington 16
13 Lee Trundle/Marc Limbert 15
15 James Brewerton/George Horan/Chris Adamson/John Stannard/Adrian Jones 14
20 Jamie Reed/Steve Jones/Stephen Jones 13

RHYL FC - LEAGUE AND CUP RECORDS

Fri, 07 May 2010 01:16:08 +0000

RHYL FC - LEAGUE AND CUP RECORDS

LEAGUE

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE (1994/95-2009/10)
Played 558 Won 276 Drawn 106 Lost 176 Goals For 1000 Goals Against 761 Points 934
Highest Position: champions 2003/04, 2008/09.

CYMRU ALLIANCE LEAGUE (1992/93-1993/94)
Played 62 Won 48 Drawn 7 Lost 7 Goals For 184 Goals Against 50 Points 151
Highest Position: champions 1993/94.

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE (1983/84-1989/90 Premier Division; 1990/91-1991/92 Division One)
Premier Division - Played 294 Won 97 Drawn 78 Lost 119 Goals For 425 Goals Against 447 Points 369
Division One - Played 84 Won 32 Drawn 17 Lost 35 Goals For 121 Goals Against 132 Points 113
Highest Position: Premier Division - 7th 1983/84; Division One - 5th 1990/91.

NORTH WEST COUNTIES LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (1982/83)
Played 38 Won 23 Drawn 11 Lost 4 Goals For 76 Goals Against 30 Points 57
Highest Position: 2nd 1982/83.

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE (1936/37-1979/80 Division One; 1980/81-1981/82 Division Two)
Division One - Played 1572 Won 617 Drawn 336 Lost 619 Goals For 2860 Goals Against 2800 Points 1570
Division Two - Played 76 Won 44 Drawn 15 Lost 17 Goals For 153 Goals Against 86 Points 103
Highest Position: champions 1947/48, 1950/51, 1971/72.

BIRMINGHAM AND DISTRICT LEAGUE (1931/32 - 1935/36) - as Rhyl Athletic
Played 179 Won 72 Drawn 28 Lost 79 Goals For 383 Goals Against 408 Points 172
Highest Position: 5th 1931/32

WELSH NATIONAL LEAGUE (NORTH) (1921-30)
Record unknown but won league championship 1925/26

NORTH WALES ALLIANCE (1919/20-1920/21) - as Rhyl Athletic
Played 51 Won 23 Drawn 8 Lost 20 Goals For 112 Goals Against 106 Points 54.
Highest Position: 7th 1919/20.

THE COMBINATION (1898/99 - 1910/11) - as Rhyl Athletic
Played 328 Won 104 Drawn 43 Lost 181 Goals For 582 Goals Against 866 Points 251
Highest Position: 2nd 1900/01.

NORTH WALES COAST LEAGUE (1893/94-1896/97; 1898/99; 1900/01-1901/02) - as Rhyl FC
Played 77 Won 32 Drawn 5 Lost 40 Goals For 195 Goals Against 217
Highest Position: champions 1894/95
* Also in this competition at various stages between 1897/98 and 1933/34 other teams carrying the name Rhyl represented the town, including Rhyl Town, Rhyl Amateurs, Rhyl United, Rhyl Victoria, Rhyl Church Guild, Rhyl Athletic and Rhyl Athletic Reserves, who lifted the title in 1933/34.

WELSH SENIOR LEAGUE (1890/91)
Played 7 Won 1 Drawn 2 Lost 4 Goals For 7 Goals Against 24 Points 2 (2 pts deducted for fielding ineligible players)
Highest Position: 5th 1890/91.

VARIOUS CUP RECORDS

FA CUP (1898-1991)
Played 217 Won 113 Drawn 33 Lost 71
Best performance: 4th round proper 1956/57.

WELSH CUP (1878-2010)
Played 327 Won 171 Drawn 48 Lost 108
Best performance: winners 1952, 1953, 2004, 2006.

EUROPE (2004-2009 - UEFA Champions League; UEFA Cup; Intertoto Cup)
Played 14 Won 2 Drawn 1 Lost 11 Goals For 13 Goals Against 40
Best performance: UEFA Cup second qualifying round 2005/06.

FAW PREMIER CUP (1998-2008)
Played 34 Won 13 Drawn 6 Lost 15 Goals For 51 Goals Against 55.
Best performance: runners-up 2003/04.

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE CUP (1994/2010)
Played 80 Won 43 Drawn 17 Lost 20 Goals For 154 Goals Against 93
Best performance: winners 2003, 2004; runners-up 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010

END OF THE ROAD...

Wed, 05 May 2010 20:45:47 +0000

ALL good things must come to an end and I'd like to think Lilywhites Online has been a good thing.
But after just over three years of running a blog dedicated to Rhyl FC the time has come to call it a day.
There are a few reasons for this, but the main one is I now feel it is wrong, given the job I do, to tie myself to any one club any more.
When I worked on just the local paper for the Rhyl area I felt there was no problem heading a project like Lilywhites Online.
But now that I am sports editor for four separate weekly newspapers across North Wales, and have increasing involvement with the Daily Post, being responsible for covering Welsh Premier clubs Bangor City, Prestatyn Town and Rhyl, I think it is time for change.
I have generally enjoyed producing Lilywhites Online for the past three years. I'd like to think I've had a good relationship with the majority of the fans and most of the people involved with Rhyl FC. One or two things in recent times have disappointed me, but they are not significant factors in my decision to wind up the blog.
I'll continue to cover Rhyl for the Daily Post and Denbighshire Visitor and look forward to continuing my excellent working relationship with Greg Strong and the players.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the blog, especially the managers and officials who have provided me with news, and the fans for their excellent and well-thought-out constructive comments.
Next season I will start a new blog covering the whole of North Wales football. This will be largely club-led with a window for all clubs across the region to publicise their news, including Rhyl.
I will not be as hands-on as I've been with Lilywhites Online, mainly because I need to reduce my considerable workload, but will still contribute regularly to the new blog.
More details will follow on this project which will be well-publicised.
I wish Rhyl FC all the best for the future and look forward to continuing working with the club in a newspaper capacity.
Dave Jones

BATTLING RHYL BEATEN IN LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:56:21 +0000

RHYL 1 (Turner 65)
THE NEW SAINTS 3 (Seargeant 30 & 77, Wood 35)
LOOSEMORES LEAGUE CUP FINAL - APRIL 27, 2010
RHYL suffered a fourth successive defeat in League Cup finals as The New Saints took the honours at Airbus tonight.
But Greg Strong's men put up a more than decent show against opponents who were crowned Welsh Premier League champions three days earlier.
The Lilywhites started well and on six minutes striker Rob Turner had a 15-yard effort pushed over the bar by keeper Paul Harrison.
In the 12th minute Turner appeared to be offside when he received the ball in a great position but did not play to the whistle as the ex-Sligo Rovers man hesitated before an eventual shot was bundled behind for a corner from which player-manager Strong headed wide.
TNS took a fortunate lead on the half hour when Lilywhites keeper Paul Pritchard made a hash of a Christian Seargeant drive from the edge of the box which found the net.
The Belle Vue side responded in determined fashion, forcing three corners in quick succession which came to nothing. Front man Matthew Williams then hit a firm strike which was well held by Harrison.
However, the new league titlists doubled their advantage on 35 minutes when a deep cross arrived at the feet of Jamie Wood whose low shot beat Pritchard to his left.
The Lilies began the second period as they did the first, Chris Williams forcing Harrison into a fine stop on 47 minutes.
On 51 minutes TNS were awarded a penalty when Craig Williams was brought down by Mark Connolly in the area. Williams took the spot-kick himself but blasted way over the bar.
Strong shot just off target before Rhyl handed themselves a lifeline by pulling a goal back in the 65th minute.
Great work down the left by Chris Williams saw him deliver a cross which the highly impressive Turner headed home for his seventh goal in 12 appearances for the Lilywhites.
TNS came back strongly and Martyn Naylor was forced to make a goal-line clearance against his old club before Turner was only denied an equaliser by a timely block from Tommy Holmes.
Andy Cale's side made sure of the league and cup double, however, in the 77th minute when substitute Craig Jones broke down the right and fed the ball in for Seargeant to chip over Pritchard and make it 3-1.
Rhyl never stopped trying and Chris Williams went close to a consolation goal in added time, but this was TNS' night and indeed their season.

RHYL: Pritchard, Naylor, Doran, Dowling, Strong, Leah (c), C Williams, Connolly, M Williams, Turner, Pearson. Subs: Owen, Courtney, Heenan, Kirk.

RHYL FC RESULTS 2009/10
Jul 14 - Partizan Belgrade (UEFA Champions League - home) 0-4
Jul 21 - Partizan Belgrade (UCL - away) 0-8
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)
Apr 2 - The New Saints (h-WPL) 1-2 (M Williams)
Apr 10 - Haverfordwest County (a-WPL) 4-2 (Connolly 2, Kirk, M Williams)
Apr 13 - Carmarthen Town (a-WPL) 1-0 (M Williams)
Apr 17 - Aberystwyth Town (h-WPL) 1-1 (Connolly)
Apr 19 - Porthmadog (h-NWCC) 0-1
Apr 22 - Llanelli (a-WPL) 1-3 (Naylor)
Apr 24 - Technogroup Welshpool (a-WPL) 2-1 (M Williams, Turner)
Apr 27 - The New Saints (LCF - at Airbus) 1-3 (Turner)

GOALS (114)
30 - Mark Connolly
24 - Matthew Williams
13 - Lee Hunt
7 - Rob Turner
6 - Chris Williams, John Leah, Greg Strong
5 - Tyrone Kirk
4 - Paul Smith
3 - Gareth Owen
2 - Andrew Pearson, George Horan, Phil Doran, Martyn Naylor
1 - Greg Stones, Andy Owens.

RHYL ARE BEST SUPPORTED CLUB - AGAIN

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 13:23:49 +0000

FOR the seventh season running Rhyl FC boast the highest average home attendance in the Welsh Premier League.
The club's 2009/10 Belle Vue average was 496 and the Lilywhites also attracted the largest home crowd of the season - 1,074 v Bangor City.
Although attendances at Rhyl have dropped considerably this season, not surprising as the Lilywhites were in championship contention last term, the club is still the best supported in the league.
Many fans have been getting behind Greg Strong and his outstanding efforts in developing a good team in the most trying of circumstances.
And the Lilies also topped the away attendance table with a 385 average, ahead of Bangor City (352) and Llanelli (349), meaning Rhyl are either the league's biggest draw at opposition grounds or have the largest away following.
RHYL HOME AVERAGE ATTENDANCE FIGURES FOR LAST SIX SEASONS:
2009/10 - 496
2008/09 - 742
2007/08 - 477
2006/07 - 492
2005/06 - 476
2004/05 - 597
2003/04 - 586

TURNER NETS RHYL'S 1,000TH WELSH PREMIER GOAL!

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 12:52:59 +0000

TECHNOGROUP WELSHPOOL 1 (Griffiths 44)
RHYL 2 (M Williams 42, Turner 45)
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - APRIL 24, 2010
HE may not realise it but Rob Turner created a unique piece of history when he scored the winner for Rhyl at Maesydre yesterday.
Turner's 45th minute strike was Rhyl's 1,000TH GOAL in the Welsh Premier League!
It was fitting that this impressive front man was the scorer as he has the potential to become one of the best strikers to play for the club.
Yesterday's result meant the Lilywhites finished sixth in the WPL and just two points off a place in next season's Europa League.
While one incident in a whole campaign cannot be blamed for that, it does make Mark Whitby's controversial penalty decision against Aberystwyth last week that bit harder to swallow.
On a dreadful Maesydre pitch, Rhyl's final league game of 2009/10 was mainly a midfield battle with all the goal action coming in the last five minutes of the first half.
The visitors took the lead on 42 minutes when winger Chris Williams crossed from the left, Mark Connolly challenged keeper David Maguire and the ball broke free for Matthew Williams to knock in his 20th league goal of the season.
Rhyl were then denied a penalty for a blatant handball on the goal-line before Welshpool broke down the right and a cross into the box was superbly headed home by Marc Griffiths.
Moments later, though, the returning Turner, making his first full start after a long lay-off through a groin injury, provided a cracking finish from the edge of the area to make it 2-1 at half time.
The rest of the game was a virtual non-event with Rhyl's substitute keeper Paul Pritchard hardly troubled and the new-look centre-back partnership of Greg Strong and Russell Courtney solid as a rock.
Now it is on to Airbus on Tuesday and a League Cup final against WPL champions The New Saints.
It is hoped Rhyl may yet get some well-deserved silverware from this difficult season in which player-boss Strong has performed marvels in having to build two new teams yet ensure the Lilywhites have continued to compete with the best.

RHYL: Cudworth (Pritchard 52), Heenan, Dowling, Courtney, Strong, Leah, C Williams (Dixon 65), Connolly, Turner (Owen 58), M Williams, Pearson.

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)
Apr 2 - The New Saints (h-WPL) 1-2 (M Williams)
Apr 10 - Haverfordwest County (a-WPL) 4-2 (Connolly 2, Kirk, M Williams)
Apr 13 - Carmarthen Town (a-WPL) 1-0 (M Williams)
Apr 17 - Aberystwyth Town (h-WPL) 1-1 (Connolly)
Apr 19 - Porthmadog (h-NWCC) 0-1
Apr 22 - Llanelli (a-WPL) 1-3 (Naylor)
Apr 24 - Technogroup Welshpool (a-WPL) 2-1 (M Williams, Turner)
Apr 27 - The New Saints (LCF - at Airbus)

GOALS (113): 30 - Mark Connolly; 24 - Matthew Williams; 13 - Lee Hunt; 6 - Chris Williams, John Leah, Greg Strong, Rob Turner; 5 - Tyrone Kirk; 4 - Paul Smith; 3 - Gareth Owen; 2 - Andrew Pearson, George Horan, Phil Doran, Martyn Naylor; 1 - Greg Stones, Andy Owens.

EURO DREAMS ARE SHATTERED

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:01:20 +0000

LLANELLI 3 (Follows 19, Griffiths 29 & 72 pen)
RHYL 1 (Naylor 17)
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - APRIL 22, 2010
DEFEAT at Stebonheath Park tonight ended Rhyl's hopes of qualifying for Europe, but Llanelli will go into their final game at Prestatyn Town on Saturday still in with a chance of winning the Welsh Premier title.
The Lilywhites took a 17th minute lead when Andrew Pearson beat three men and from the right of the box delivered the telling pass for Martyn Naylor to score from five yards.
Two minutes later Llanelli were level when Rhys Griffiths' shot came back off keeper Jack Cudworth and from six yards out Jordan Follows netted the rebound unchallenged.
The hosts edged in front on 29 minutes when Chris Venables crossed from the right and Follows' effort fell to the feet of an offside-looking Griffiths to fire in from close range.
The Lilywhites had other chances in the half, Matthew Williams having a shot saved before Pearson smacked the bar when it looked easier to score.
Llanelli made sure of the points on 72 minutes when Tyrone Kirk brought down Follows in the box and Griffiths converted from the spot.
Substitute Sam Heenan went close late on for the visitors from 25 yards while earlier Gareth Owen blasted just over the bar.
RHYL: Cudworth, Naylor (Turner 60), Doran, Dowling, Strong, Leah, C Williams, Pearson, Owen, M Williams, Kirk (Heenan 80). Unused: Ojapah, Dixon. Att: 308.

GOALS (111): 30 - Mark Connolly; 23 - Matthew Williams; 13 - Lee Hunt; 6 - Chris Williams, John Leah, Greg Strong; 5 - Rob Turner, Tyrone Kirk; 4 - Paul Smith; 3 - Gareth Owen; 2 - Andrew Pearson, George Horan, Phil Doran, Martyn Naylor; 1 - Greg Stones, Andy Owens.

RACE FOR TITLE/RACE FOR EUROPE

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:38:45 +0000

RACE FOR THE TITLE....

THE NEW SAINTS: Played 33 Points 79 (GD 54)
Apr 24 - Aberystwyth Town (a)

LLANELLI: Played 33 Points 77 (GD 49)
Apr 24 - Prestatyn Town (a)

RACE FOR THIRD PLACE....

PORT TALBOT: Played 33 Points 64 (GD 33)
Apr 24 - Bala Town (h)

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN: Played 33 Points 64 (GD 15)
Apr 24 - The New Saints (h)

BANGOR CITY: Played 33 Points 62 (30)
Apr 24: Newtown (h)

MATTY BONUS FOR RHYL

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:52:35 +0000

LLANELLI v RHYL
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2010 - 7.30pm
RHYL travel to Llanelli for an all-or-nothing Welsh Premier League clash tomorrow with the bonus of having striker Matthew Williams unexpectedly available after suspension.
When Williams was red-carded in Saturday's controversial 1-1 draw with Aberystwyth it was feared his one-match ban would apply to the game at Stebonheath Park, but the suspension was served on Monday night when the Lilywhites lost 1-0 in a hastily-arranged North Wales Coast Challenge Cup tie to Porthmadog.
Rhyl must win tomorrow to keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe alive while Llanelli need to do likewise to maintain their quest for the title.
"We've gone out to win every game this season and the same will apply at Llanelli," said Lilies player-manager Greg Strong.
"We can still see ourselves doing something. If we win our last two matches who knows; Aberystwyth have a difficult task against TNS on Saturday while Port Talbot play Bala who probably have to win to stay in the league.
"If we can take it to the last game it will be a fantastic achievement."
Striker Rob Turner, out with a groin strain for several weeks but who made a brief return as a substitute in the Porthmadog game, may be part of the squad for Llanelli, reports Strong.
RHYL v LLANELLI - HEAD-TO-HEAD
2009/10 - Rhyl 0 Llanelli 0
2008/09 - Rhyl 5 Llanelli 1; Llanelli 0 Rhyl 1
2007/08 - Rhyl 1 Llanelli 2; Llanelli 2 Rhyl 1
2006/07 - Rhyl 2 Llanelli 2, Llanelli 6 Rhyl 0.
2005/06 - Llanelli 1 Rhyl 1, Rhyl 0 Llanelli 1.
2004/05 - Llanelli 2 Rhyl 1, Rhyl 2 Llanelli 0.
2002/03 - Llanelli 0 Rhyl 3, Rhyl 2 Llanelli 0.
2001/02 - Rhyl 1 Llanelli 1, Llanelli 0 Rhyl 3.
2000/01 - Rhyl 7 Llanelli 0, Llanelli 3 Rhyl 1.
1999/00 - Rhyl 1 Llanelli 3, Llanelli 7 Rhyl 0.
1995/96 - Llanelli 2 Rhyl 2, Rhyl 1 Llanelli 1.
1994/95 - Rhyl 2 Llanelli 2, Llanelli 5 Rhyl 2.
WINS: RHYL 7 LLANELLI 9 DRAWN 7

BAD NIGHT OF RESULTS FOR RHYL

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:54:38 +0000

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS - APRIL 20:
Caersws 1 Newtown 1
Carmarthen Town 2 Haverfordwest County 2
Gap Connah's Quay 0 Bangor City 1
Llanelli 2 Neath 1
Technogroup Welshpool 1 Aberystwyth Town 3

TOP SIX REMAINING GAMES

THE NEW SAINTS: Played 33 Points 79 (GD 54)
Apr 24 - Aberystwyth Town (a)

LLANELLI: Played 32 Points 74 (GD 47)
Apr 22 - Rhyl (h)
Apr 24 - Prestatyn Town (a)

PORT TALBOT: Played 33 Points 64 (GD 33)
Apr 24 - Bala Town (h)

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN: Played 33 Points 64 (GD 15)
Apr 24 - The New Saints (h)

BANGOR CITY: Played 33 Points 62 (30)
Apr 24: Newtown (h)

RHYL: Played 32 Points 59 (GD 32)
Apr 22: Llanelli (a)
Apr 24: Technogroup Welshpool (a)