Football: Rhyl FC let two-goal lead slip at Neath

Sep 24 2008 by Dave Jones, Denbigh Visitor

NEATH ATHLETIC 2 RHYL 2

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE

LEAGUE leaders Rhyl squandered a two-goal advantage at The Gnoll and lost their 100% record on an blazing afternoon which turned into a damp squib.

Allan Bickerstaff’s side were strolling at half time with a 2-0 lead, but failed to keep up the momentum in the second period and battling basement boys Neath salvaged a deserved point.

It all looked promising when after seven minutes Jamie Reed appeared to be offside when he latched on a through ball from midfield but the ex-Wrexham striker finished with aplomb for his sixth goal this term.

A superb 10-man move saw the Lilywhites make it 2-0 on 21 minutes as Greg Stones controlled and volleyed in a beauty from about 10 yards.

Several other chances came the Lilies’ way, Danny Williams heading over from a free-kick, but come the interval it remained 2-0.

Physical Neath came out more fired up than ever after the break and poor defending down the left allowed Andrew Hill to pull one back after 56 minutes.

In the 65th minute a collision as a cross came into the box led to referee Morgan pointing to the penalty spot and Hill netted again.

Delighted Athletic were now happy to crowd men behind the ball and hang on to what they had.

Disappointingly, Rhyl were drawn into a long ball game and whenever they got into good positions their final delivery was below par.

In the end, neither side came particularly close to winning and a draw was just about the right result.

Rhyl were due to visit Airbus UK Broughton in the League Cup last night (Tuesday) and this Saturday entertain Aberystwyth Town in the Welsh Premier.

It is eight years since Aber registered a league win over Rhyl. The Lilywhites are unbeaten in their last 17 Welsh Premier meetings with the green and blacks, having won seven of the last nine clashes.

Overall, since 1994/95, the teams have met 28 times in the Welsh Premier, Rhyl boasting 14 wins, Aber five and there have been nine draws.

dave.jones