Grassroots Match of the Day: Rhyl Dragons 0-0 Rhos United (tier 5)

Rhyl Dragons 0
Rhos United 0
North Wales Coast East League Division One – July 31, 2021

Late missed chances cost Rhos United three points at Coronation Gardens on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors had three golden opportunities to grab the win in the final 10 minutes but were unable to take any of them.

No quarter was given in a really good battle where the hosts Rhyl Dragons also had some close calls in front of goal.

Clear openings were few and far between in the opening stages with both keepers solid and defences on top.

Dragons worked a good move in the 28th minute when James Bouch fed Richard Hill down the right and his cross was begging to be put away, but Jordan Dixon produced a brilliant last-gasp clearance over his own bar.

Dixon then threatened at the other end, a cracking cross from the right, but Lewis Sealey was unable to fully connect with his head.

Darryl Smith’s delivery was chested down by Rhyl striker Adam Cassidy, who miss-kicked in front of goal, then Jonny Mee in the home nets produced a fine reaction stop to deny Calfyn McQuilling.

Adam Noble played a pair of lovely one-twos and tricked his way into the Dragons box, but his final effort was just off target.

The second half came in two parts – Dragons were dominant and dangerous in the first quarter, Cassidy again missing a good opportunity, then Gavin Lewis came up with a tremendous save from a Colin Sargerson free kick, before Rhos came on strong in the final 20.

Phemmy Allison charged down an attempted clearance from Mee and the ball fell to McQuilling who lacked composure and failed to find the target.

“That was the one” said a Rhos substitute on the touchline – and he may have been right.

Allison then broke into the box down the left and set up Sealey, who skewed his shot with the net yawning.

Then late on, Sealey connected well with a low cross, but good defending kept the shot out.

All in all, perhaps a fair result given the quality of defending from both sides.

Like in the recent Rhyl All Stars versus Llysfaen 0-0, this tier 5 level of football proved it has plenty to offer and some very decent sides and capable players.