Football: Rhyl FC stun The New Saints in three-goal win

Dec 10 2008 By Dave Jones

RHYL 3 THE NEW SAINTS 0

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE

VICTORY in this Friday night’s home clash with lowly NEWI Cefn Druids will give Rhyl a six-point lead at the Welsh Premier summit.

With second-placed Llanelli not in action until Saturday afternoon, when they visit Gap Connah’s Quay, the Lilywhites can steal a march on their rivals by stretching their undefeated run against Druids to 13 matches.

Although third from bottom, the Ancients enjoyed a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Caersws last weekend and often play above themselves when they visit Belle Vue.

It is going to take something special to stop the Lilies in their present form, though, as The New Saints will testify.

Allan Bickerstaff’s side produced one of their finest ever Welsh Premier performances last Saturday when they ended Saints’ unbeaten record and claimed their first win over the full-time outfit in nine attempts.

The visitors struck an early blow on six minutes when Greg Stones robbed Jamie Wood on the edge of his own box and squared to Neil Roberts who sidefooted home his 12th goal of the season.

TNS did not manage an on-target shot until the 31st minute when Alex Darlington set up Wood whose fierce hit was pushed up in the air by Lee Kendall who then acrobatically gathered Craig Williams’ headed rebound.

There was controversy seven minutes into the second half when Greg Strong’s header from a Gareth Owen corner appeared to be cleared off the line by Darlington’s arm, but no action was taken.

Kendall was in good form, palming away a Williams left-footer before going down well at his near post to deny John Toner.

There was an air of inevitability, though, that Rhyl would score a second at any time.

And on 70 minutes it did become 2-0. Mark Connolly’s right-wing cross was flicked on by Matty Williams and skipper George Horan volleyed past Paul Harrison.

In the 77th minute Connolly and Jamie Reed combined on the right, the former’s low cross was stepped over by Neil Roberts and Stones drilled in a well-deserved goal against his old club.

A bleak afternoon for TNS was made complete when Wood was sent off for aiming a headbutt at Neil Roberts following a bad foul on Josh Johnson.