Grassroots North Wales Match of the Day – CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1 Llannefydd 1

NORTH WALES COAST EAST PREMIER DIVISION

CPD Y RHYL 1879 1 (Ellis 85)
CPD LLANNEFYDD 1 (J Roberts 70)

Kieran Ellis’ 85th minute headed equaliser preserved 1879’s unbeaten record after it looked like leaders Llannefydd would return home with all three points.

And the hosts would probably have won it but for a phenomenal Elias Jones reaction save from an Ellis overhead kick in the closing stages.

The result meant Gareth Thomas’ side remain undefeated this season in 13 league games, while Gwyndaf Pritchard’s Llannefydd are top on goal difference having not lost in 10 outings although they have now recorded three successive draws.

Before today, Llannefydd were the only team to take points off Rhyl this term, having held them 2-2 at home back in August.

And the villagers proved that was no fluke by picking up a deserved draw at Belle Vue in front of a cracking attendance for tier 4 football of 343.

It was a game of few clear chances, with a Rhyl side which had netted 52 times in their last 10 league fixtures kept well in check by an outstanding Llannefydd defence.

One could understand why the visitors are top of the league. They showed great togetherness and the type of understanding which comes from building a compact squad of local players.

Llannefydd had an early chance when the ball fell nicely for Rhys Llwyd on the edge of the area, but his shot lacked the power to test keeper Ryan Roberts.

The hosts created an opening when Macauley Taylor sent a deep cross from the left into the box for Casey Faulkner, who lashed just over the bar.

Ellis headed wide from a corner and top-scorer Carl Lamb blasted off target under pressure. A first half where neither keeper had to make a save.

HALF-TIME: 0-0

The home team continued to struggle for openings in the second half.

Taylor’s strike was held comfortably by Jones, who then got down well to gather after an Ellis long throw was flicked goalwards.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 70th minute.

Rhyl twice failed to clear their lines, Ciran Jones fed a nice pass into Jared Roberts, who stole a march on defender Reece Fairhurst and finished beautifully from an angle.

The whites were stung but tried to hit back, substitute Elliott Evans’ low drive kept out by the legs of keeper Jones.

Finally, five minutes from time, came the equaliser, Tom Cain sent over a left-wing corner and Ellis rose highest to head in.

At last Rhyl looked capable of winning the game and pushed their opponents back in the closing minutes.

Ellis’ overhead kick looked a goal all the way, but Jones tipped over magnificently.

Llannefydd defended heroically to the end, and the final whistle blew on a fair outcome.

Rhyl 1879
Ryan Roberts, Casey Faulkner (Tom Cain 80), Zac Tyler-Holland (Elliott Evans 52), James Jones, Reece Fairhurst, Miles Todd, Jordan Worthington (N/A 72), Daniel Sim (Ollie Staveley 65), Kieran Ellis, Carl Lamb, Macauley Taylor

Llannefydd
Elias Jones, Guto Owen, Bradley Jones, Jared Jones, Elgan Roberts, Edward Jones, Sam Lewis (Matthew Blake 60), Ciran Jones, Luke Appleby (Morgan Jones 73), Rhys Llwyd (Simon Roberts 67), Jared Roberts (Tudur Jones 90+2).