North Wales Coast East Division One – Llysfaen edge a real thriller, Rhyl Dragons rise to third with win

NORTH WALES COAST EAST LEAGUE REPORTS – DECEMBER 17

Division One

Rhyl Dragons 4 CPD Henllan 2

Dragons ended their 2022 matches on a high with a victory over Henllan at Rhyl Leisure Centre which lifted them up to third in the table.

The home team were hampered by a number of players dropping out on the day of the game and they had to engage outfield regular Darryl Smith in goal.

Smith stepped up admirably, producing some good saves during the afternoon.

An Ifan Clayton own goal after 32 minutes put the Dragons in front and before the break Dardan Hoxha scored on his debut.

Dylan Roche netted his first for the club and player-manager Steven Taylor completed the home scoring from the penalty spot on 83 minutes.

Matthew Parsonage and Ashley Andrews bagged late replies for Henllan.

An all-round good performance from the Dragons with Mason Kenny outstanding as a holding midfielder.

Penrhyn Bay 4 Llysfaen 5

A nine-goal thriller ended up in Llysfaen’s favour thanks to a last-gasp winner.

The match was originally down for the Bananabeu, but with Llysfaen’s pitch unplayable, it was switched to The Oval, Llandudno.

Steven Collins struck first for Emlyn Robert Jones’ side on 28 minutes before Solomon Dickens replied for Penrhyn after 39.

Jake Twist netted for Llysfaen three minutes later to give his team a half-time lead.

Osian Spencer made it two-apiece four minutes into the second half before Collins found the net on 66 and 72 to complete a hat-trick and put the visitors 4-2 up.

Stan Farrell then bagged a brace, goals on 74 and 76 minutes, making it four-all, setting up a thrilling finish.

Daniel Ashton and Sam Rogerson were both shown red cards for Bay, then to rub salt in the wounds for the home team, Ben Rawlinson nabbed a 90th minute decider for Llysfaen, who celebrated just their second league win of the campaign.

Winning manager Jones said: “For the first hour or so it was quite a dull game, but then there was a spell of four goals in about 15 minutes and it became a bit of a ding dong. “They (Penrhyn) were menacing at set pieces, we looked threatening going forward. I think we edged it in the end but it wasn’t a classic.”