Ardal North West: Molyneux wonder strike puts Mountain on way to stunning win at Rhyl

ARDAL NORTH WEST REPORTS – AUGUST 9

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1 (Hold 45+4)
Flint Mountain 4 (Molyneux 24, Hayes 34, Smart 86, Edwards 90+7)

An early contender for goal of the season from Mountain’s Sam Molyneux put the visitors on their way to a result which is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows within the Ardal North West League and beyond.

Both of tonight’s combatants at Belle Vue are tipped to feature among the title challengers, but on this evening’s evidence Mountain appear better equipped to be champions.

However, it is early days, and in Rhyl 1879’s defence they did have some key players missing for what was only their second game of the season.

And it was the hosts who started far the better.

In the fifth minute, Aaron White crossed from the right and Macauley Taylor was not far away with a spectacular overhead volley.

Soon after Taylor latched onto a long clearance and forced experienced keeper John Danby into a good low save from a left-footed drive.

Rhyl should have taken the lead after 21 minutes. Chris Bennett fed the ball in from the right, Taylor created space and centred low, but Alex Jones slotted wide from close range.

The home side paid the price three minutes later when Mountain scored from their first attack – and what a goal it was!

Molyneux revived memories of David Beckham’s famous goal for Manchester United at Wimbledon on the opening day of the 1996/97 campaign when the Flint man beat keeper Sam Thomas all ends up with a magnificent strike from halfway.

This goal settled Mountain, who began to dominate the midfield and not give their opponents a second on the ball.

In the 34th minute Jack Sconce tenaciously won the ball in midfield and released Mike Hayes who ran clear on goal and finished clinically.

Hayes will make a massive difference to this Flint side, his Welsh Premier League experience making him stand out on the night.

Rhyl hit back four minutes into added time at the end of the first half.

Casey Faulkner lofted a good ball into the box, Rowan Brooks headed against his own post and from the ensuing scramble Adam Hold fired in.

Half time: 1-2.

The second half saw both sides attack, but Mountain’s forward thrusts looked far the more potent.

Rhyl hit too many aimless long balls forward and their deliveries into the box lacked quality.

In the 61st minute, Thomas pulled off a phenomenal save from a Sconce diving header before tipping over from Brooks.

From the ensuing corner, another deadly delivery from Sconce saw Thomas doing well again to palm over the bar.

Rhyl’s best attempt of the second half saw substitute Ant Zoezee create space on the right of the box and whip in a shot which Danby pushed away for a corner.

Hayes brought another sharp stop out of Thomas before two late goals, both resulting from slack play from the hosts, allowed Mountain to seal the points.

In the 85th minute the Lilywhites gave the ball away at the back and Hayes squared to Corey Smart to shoot home first time.

Deep into added time, Hayes capitalised on more careless home play to race clear from halfway and although Thomas denied him, sub Taylor Edwards snapped up the rebound to make it 4-1.

On this form, Flint Mountain are going to take some stopping.

At the end of the first half, a minor scuffle broke out among several players and the Mountain bench.

Referee Stephen Jones appeared to show three cards to Mountain, but so far only a red for assistant-manager Jonny Hill is confirmed.

CPD Y Felinheli 0 Llanrwst United 4

Callum Parry scored twice for a Llanrwst outfit which romped to a four-goal success at Cae Seilo.

Parry netted on 15 and 51 minutes, and provided the assist for Cai Evans to find the net for the Rwsters in the first half.

Conor Davies added a fourth for the visitors in added time.

Felinheli were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when 1-0 down and also struck the crossbar, but overall the Conwy Valley men were more than worthy winners.

Saltney Town 3 Hawarden Rangers 0

The Bordermen maintained their promising start to the campaign with a home win over a Hawarden side no doubt still smarting from Saturday’s 7-1 thrashing by Llangefni Town.

Sam Reynolds struck first for Saltney on 11 minutes and Sean Williams added a second after 17.

Five minutes from the end, substitute Riley Hayden made it three for the hosts.