Football: A bad week for Rhyl FC reserves

Dec 10 2008 By Dave Jones

RHYL RESERVES 0 LLANRWST UNITED 2

WELSH ALLIANCE

IT was not a good week for Rhyl Reserves.

Last Wednesday they lost the leadership of the Welsh Alliance when Bethesda Athletic took over top spot after a 5-1 victory at Conwy United.

Then on Saturday the Lilywhites saw their proud 100% home record demolished when enigmatic Llanrwst upset the form book at Belle Vue.

Rhyl manager Jon Stazicker has no doubt that a controversial decision to award the Rwsters a goal from a second half corner turned the game. Keiron Evans looked to have cleared off the line when the ball came back off the post, but the linesman flagged for a goal and the referee pointed to the centre spot.

"A goal that wasn’t a goal changed the game," said Stazicker. "It was the worst decision I’ve ever seen from match officials; there is no way the ball crossed the line."

With Pesda now a point ahead with six games in hand over Rhyl, Stazicker accepts any championship prospects have gone.

"Realitywise it’s looking as though the league title is well adrift now," he added. "As a team we must now concentrate on our performances ahead and our forthcoming cup games. Today, overall, I was very disappointed, our displays are very poor at the moment."

After a goal-less first half, the visitors profited from that disputed goal on the hour, then Bryn Jenkins beat Rhyl keeper Jamie Jones with a neat chip to double the away lead.

That knocked the stuffing out of Stazicker’s men and poor defending allowed an unmarked Lee Allen to add a third.

Rounding off a miserable afternoon for the Lilywhites, Sam Brewerton headed home a Jack Roberts free-kick but was harshly adjudged offside. Brewerton protested too strongly against the decision and was red carded for foul and abusive language.

In the first half, Rhyl had produced the better football, Rwsters keeper Paul Roberts making great saves from James Hay and Joe Ahern, Adam France heading just wide and Keiron Evans skimming the post.

After the break France headed over from six yards, Jack Roberts fired just off target and Evans was denied by the impressive Roberts, but that contentious goal changed everything.