Football: Rhyl look genuine contenders after first win

Aug 20 2008 by Dave Jones, Rhyl Visitor

RHYL 3 NEWTOWN 0

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE

NEW-LOOK Rhyl produced some very classy moments in a performance which suggests they have every chance of being amongst the front-runners in the Welsh Premier this season.

With new signings Greg Strong, Danny Williams, Gareth Owen, Neil Roberts, Jamie Reed and Josh Johnson all in the starting line-up, the fact there was no place for Craig Jones or George Horan (both substitutes) or Gareth Wilson and Chris Roberts in the squad proved what strength in depth there is at Belle Vue this term.

The Lilywhites totally dominated the first half and could have gone in more than 2-0 up, but the stronger wind in the second period made the game more of a leveller.

Rhyl took the lead on 12 minutes with a fine goal. Skipper Greg Stones ran at the Newtown defence and played a sublime one-two with Roberts before coolly firing in off the post.

Reed drove just wide before a flowing move that had Belle Vue on its feet saw Roberts just fail to connect with a low cross from the left by Johnson.

In the 25th minute a foul on Roberts led to a free-kick 25 yards out which Mark Connolly took and hit the right-hand upright.

A second goal looked inevitable and it came on 32 minutes.

Lee Kendall’s long kick was flicked on by Roberts who found strike partner Reed. The lively Reed rode a firm challenge in the box and laid the ball back for Roberts who whipped a superb right-foot strike into the top corner across keeper David Jones – a quality goal.

It could so easily have been 3-0 at half time had Gareth Owen not blasted over from close range following more great passing leading to a Roberts delivery from the right.

After the break the Lilies found ball control much more difficult with the strong breeze at their backs. Coupled with that, Newtown competed much harder and thus the hosts were not able to dictate so much.

Nonetheless, the chances kept coming, Reed dinking just wide from 10 yards before Paul O’Neill’s header from a Gareth Owen corner missed the target.

Owen’s cross from the right was glanced goalwards by a stooping Reed but the ball went agonisingly wide.

Rhyl came very close on 66 minutes when Danny Williams’ swirling right foot cross from the left flank deceived keeper Jones but came back off the woodwork.

Substitute Craig Jones almost made an instant impact for the hosts when his electric pace following a one-two with Roberts saw him round the keeper, but the ball ran just too far and Mathew Lewis was able to clear for a corner.

Newtown’s first serious attack on 76 minutes was a significant one. Adam Worton delivered a brilliant cross from the left and Neil Mitchell volleyed in at the back post, but an assistant’s flag was raised and the goal ruled out for offside. It looked a dubious decision.

Jimmy Kelly’s right foot screamer cleared the bar by inches as Rhyl got back on top in the closing stages.

Four minutes from time a long ball over the Robins defence by Mark Connolly bounced kindly for Reed who lobbed the advancing Jones to make it 3-0.

RHYL: Lee Kendall, Mark Connolly, Greg Stones (c), Greg Strong, Paul O’Neill, Danny Williams, Gareth Owen, Jimmy Kelly, Neil Roberts, Jamie Reed (Carl Owen 86), Josh Johnson (Craig Jones 69). Unused substitute: George Horan.

MATCH FACTS

GOALS – Rhyl 3 Newtown 0.

ATTEMPTS – Rhyl 21 Newtown 3.

ON TARGET – Rhyl 5 Newtown 0.

CORNERS – Rhyl 9 Newtown 2.

YELLOW CARDS – Rhyl 0 Newtown 0.

RED CARDS – Rhyl 0 Newtown 0.

ATTENDANCE – 568.

VISITOR MAN OF THE MATCH

Neil Roberts (Rhyl)

Pure class.

dave.jones