Haverfordwest City 1 Rhyl 3

Jan 28 2009 by Dave Jones, Denbigh Visitor

HAVERFORDWEST CTY 1RHYL 3WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE

WITH Saturday’s crunch Welsh Cup round four clash at Bangor looming large, Rhyl’s senior coach Allan Bickerstaff is calling on both sets of supporters to ensure only the on the field action makes the headlines.

Security will be tight at Farrar Road as the host club bids to avoid the unsavoury scenes which occurred in the Welsh Premier League tussle involving the long-standing foes last November.

Fighting broke out in the first half between large groups of rival fans and the aftermath saw Bangor fined £2,000 last week for failing to control their supporters.

“To me, the bad feeling between the two sets of fans is a petty situation,” said Bickerstaff. “I hope our supporters go to Bangor to enjoy themselves; the majority of our fans are decent people but occasionally a small minority lets the club down.

“I’d appeal to both sets of supporters to enjoy the occasion as it promises to be a great cup tie and I’m sure Neville (Powell, Bangor manager) would say the same.”

Bickerstaff has had mixed fortunes at Farrar Road this term, losing there 3-1 in the League Cup but winning 2-0 in the WPL.

“We want to win the cup and we’re really up for it, but Bangor are doing ever so well and we expect a very hard test.”

Goalkeeper Lee Kendall will be available again after serving a three-match ban, but new signing Luke Sherbon is cup-tied. Bangor’s ex-Rhyl defender James Brewerton is set to miss out after being red-carded at Aberystwyth on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Rhyl retained top spot in the WPL at the weekend with a 3-1 win at Haverfordwest.

Two goals in as many minutes just before the break tipped things the Lilywhites’ way.

Gareth Owen tapped in after County keeper Lee Idzi failed to hold a Luke Holden shot, then Owen chipped to the back post and Neil Roberts headed home his 16th of the season.

The Lilies controlled the second period and the only surprise was it took them until the 80th minute to add a third through a classy Holden finish.

Jack Christopher converted a fortunate late penalty for the Bluebirds, awarded for handball against Paul O’Neill – but the ball clearly hit his stomach.

“Overall we deserved the three points,” added Bickerstaff. “It was tough, but we’ll come across a lot of these games now where we have to grind results out.”

Last Tuesday, Rhyl progressed to the NWCFA Challenge Cup second round with a rousing 6-0 win at Belle Vue over Welsh Alliance underdogs Llanrug United.

Luke Holden (2), Gareth Owen, Neil Roberts, Craig Jones and an Aled Owen own goal ensured the Lilywhites travel to Halkyn United – whom they beat in the 2004 final – in the last 16.

Saturday’s Welsh Cup tie at Bangor kicks off at 12.15pm.