Last-gasp heartbreak in FAW Amateur Trophy for CPD Y Rhyl 1879

FAW TROPHY ROUND OF 16

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1 (Hold 90+1)
Newport City 2 (Bloom 38, Bateman 90+2)

When it comes to heartbreaking endings this cup tie was as tear-jerking as the final scenes of Blackadder Goes Forth for Rhyl 1879 fans.

Trailing 1-0, having dominated the second half but missed numerous chances to equalise, the Lilywhites finally pulled level with Newport City in stoppage time to keep hopes of an FAW Trophy quarter-final place alive.

Rhyl were on top and surely favourites to go and win in the time remaining – or at least secure themselves a penalty shoot-out.

However, far from crestfallen, the visitors roared back into attack and less than a minute after conceding banged in the winner which left the Belle Vue faithful stunned.

The scenes of celebration were unsavoury to put it mildly, but perhaps somewhat understandable in such a passionate environment.

Rhyl had just found out how truly cruel football can be.

The Ardal North West leaders had surprisingly lost two on the bounce in the league, but were a decent bet to bounce back against opponents sitting third in Tier 3 equivalent Ardal South East

To say Rhyl started poorly is an understatement.

They were playing Newport City, but were so jittery and indecisive they may have thought they were facing Newport County.

City were on the front-foot, aided by the wind at their backs, and made all the early running as the hosts struggled to string two passes together.

Cole Jarvis was found unmarked from a Richard Noyes corner, but could not keep the ball down.

Only a fantastic tackle from James Jones stopped Rhyse Hudson from being in on goal.

In the 31st minute, Newport were awarded a penalty for a foul on Calum Bateman, who took the kick but blasted high over the bar.

Undeterred, the travellers continued to press and in the 38th minute James Bloom lashed against the underside of the bar and the ball bounced out away from the goal.

To the bewilderment of the home side and supporters, a goal was awarded on an assistant’s advice.

Half-time came and Rhyl were 1-0 down at the end of a disappointing 45 minutes.

The second half was a totally different story, with chances flowing for the home side virtually from the start.

New signing Callum Parry let fly from 20 yards in the 50th minute and had his effort tipped over the bar.

Parry was through one-on-one in the 52nd minute but was again thwarted by the away glovesman.

On 56 minutes Parry went down heavily in the box. A penalty surely, but the official was unmoved.

Chances kept getting squandered by Gareth Thomas’ men. Parry missed a cross from the right with the goal gaping before Mark Roberts sliced off target from close range.

Finally, in the 91st minute, joy for Rhyl. A long delivery from keeper Ryan Woods cleared the City defence and Adam Hold was first to the ball to slot home.

The general feeling now was this might be Rhyl’s day, but perhaps they were still rejoicing the equaliser when a rapid break from Newport saw Bateman drill home under Woods’ body.

And 1-2 was how it ended. Credit to Newport for their positive response after conceding so late, but some of their other antics were less than commendable and best quickly forgotten.

The same goes for the performance of the officials.