Flashback – 10 years ago: Llanrug victory saves them from last-day relegation

Llanrug United 4 (R Roberts 13 & 49, E Jones 38, C Griffiths 47)
Holywell Town 1 (P Williams 52)
Welsh Alliance Division One – May 2011

Ten years ago this week Llanrug pulled off a last-day victory to escape relegation from Welsh Alliance Division One.

Although the Eithin Duon side more often than not found themselves at the right end of the table, this particular season proved a struggle.

They ended things on a real high note with a timely 4-1 drubbing of third-placed Holywell Town.

Striker Rhys Roberts gave the hosts the lead on 13 minutes with a fine low drive across the goal to the bottom corner of the net.

The goal followed a quickly taken free-kick by man of the match David Noel Williams to Carl Griffiths, whose run down the right wing and fine low cross to Mathew Phillips at the far post enabled him to set up Roberts to score.

Aled Owen’s men doubled their advantage after 38 minutes.

A corner from the right by Noel Williams was only half-cleared and youngster Gruffydd John Williams’ powerful drive from the edge of the penalty area was diverted into the net by central defender Eifion Pritchard Jones.

Half-time: Llanrug 2 Holywell 0

Llanrug came out blazing following the interval, and within two minutes of the resumption were three-up.

Rhys Roberts evaded two defenders and advanced along the by-line into the penalty area, pulled the ball back into the path of Noel Williams, whose first time shot was only half saved by Paul Turner. Carl Griffiths was first to react and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Two minutes later it was 4-0. When a long throw from the right into the Wellmen’s penalty area by Gethin Phillips was only part-cleared, the ball fell to Rhys Roberts just outside the box and his thunderous low strike found the bottom corner.

Substitute Paul Williams responded for Holywell with a powerful shot from just within the penalty area on 52 minutes, but this proved only to be a consolation goal.

A fine performance by United clinching the much-needed three points. News filtered through following the final whistle that Glan Conwy had won at Barmouth & Dyffryn, which ensured Llanrug were clear of relegation.