Sub Owen Hughes clinches dramatic victory for Rhyl All Stars

Rhyl All Stars match-winner Owen Hughes

NORTH WALES COAST EAST DIVISION ONE

Rhos United 1 (Lee 19)
Rhyl All Stars 2 (Ham 57, Hughes 90+5)

They continually have to rebuild after losing quality players to other clubs, their recent results have not been the best but one thing they never do is give in.

Stand up for Rhyl All Stars, who ended a run of five successive defeats last night with a first league victory since November.

Robert Cunnah’s battlers recovered from going a goal down to celebrate a 2-1 success against Rhos United at the OPS Wind Arena.

Hosts Rhos started the game well, seeing the majority of the possession and putting pressure on the greens defence.

In the 19th minute United opened the scoring. After a good passage of play, Billy Bibby drilled the ball to the edge of the 18 yard box hard and low and Ray Lee finished first-time into the bottom left corner.

Around the half-hour mark a good spell from All Stars saw them find the back of the net via Macca Lewis, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Rhos continued to apply pressure, but it was dealt with well by the visitors, who continued to counter attack.

Half-time: 1-0

The Rhyl outfit started the second half more positively, getting in behind the Rhos defence and experiencing some joy down the wings.

Paul Ham headed All Stars level

On the 57-minute mark, the greens won a free kick on the left edge of the box. Lewis delivered deep to the back post, finding the head of Paul Ham to level the game.

The greens now brought on some fresh legs to assert themselves more.

Both teams were back and forth with attacks, but each defended soundly.

Rhos missed a great chance, and with the game looking like it was going to finish 1-1, there was a dramatic end five minutes into stoppage time.

All Stars won the ball on the halfway line and from the left Kyle Lally unselfishly slotted into the path of sub Owen Hughes to find the net.

Rhos roared back with three consecutive corners, requiring an excellent block from Callum White and great save by Liam Curzon to see the game out.

All Stars manager Cunnah said: “Relieved to get the win tonight, we’ve had some really poor results recently against Llandudno Amateurs and Y Glannau, but tonight the lads worked so hard to get the 3 points.

“Rhos controlled possession the majority of the game, and pressed us hard, but we defended extremely well, with some top defending around our area.

“Credit to Rhos, they are always absolute gentlemen whenever we play them, and I wish them the best for the rest of the season.”

RHOS UNITED

Gavin Lewis
Tom Brady
Jordan Dixon
John King
Stephen Bibby
Gabriel George
Chris King (c)
Scott Court
Ray Lee
Bret Durkan
Billy Bibby
SUBS USED
Elliott Hughes-Whittaker, Alex Stokes, N/A