Match report: Rhyl All Stars 0-0 Llysfaen

Simon Roberts so nearly won the match for Rhyl All Stars

Rhyl All Stars 0
Llysfaen 0
North Wales Coast East Division One

Simon Roberts so nearly provided a stupendous added time winner for Rhyl All Stars when his ridiculous left-wing strike cannoned off the bar.

The match at Rhyl Leisure Centre’s outdoor pitch was in its 94th minute when Roberts burst down the left and was a fraction away from securing all three points with his magnificent effort.

Overall, a draw was probably a fair result and to pinch the victory so late may have been harsh on a depleted Llysfaen, who battled so hard for the duration.

Most people attend football matches to see goals but sometimes it is a treat to witness good defending.

And both sides defended superbly in this North Wales Coast East Division One encounter.

All Stars had the first clear chance on 12 minutes when Harrison Bellis was in on goal, but James Roberts produced a fabulous point-blank save.

Charlie Dykes stabbed over from close range for the visitors before Callum Jones headed straight at keeper Ryan Fox from a great position.

A skidding corner from Llysfaen’s Tom Collier needed just the slightest of touches for a goal, but no-one could connect.

Roberts was always a danger for the All Stars and he volleyed just wide before the break.

Five minutes into the second half, another Roberts piledriver did not miss by much, but the hosts were indebted to Fox at the other end when he smothered at the feet of Callum Jones.

Roberts was through for All Stars in the 76th minute and looked a cert to score, but a last-ditch tackle from Lewis Thomas denied him. The hosts claimed handball, but the referee was unmoved.

Llysfaen had a close call when a Collier free kick was part-fumbled by Fox, but the keeper got enough on the ball to scoop it behind for a corner.

Neither side stopped chasing that elusive goal, but the home team finished the stronger and that last-gasp Roberts attempt so nearly won it.