Llio delivers a double as Rhyl 1879 celebrate vital victory at Belle Vue

GENERO ADRAN NORTH – FEBRUARY 4, 2024

CPDM Y Rhyl 1879 3 (L Davies 21 & 46; Benjamin 27)
Llanfair United 2 (H Davies 6, E Williams 53)

Eighteen-year-old Llio Davies produced her finest performance in a Rhyl 1879 shirt with a two-goal salvo in a crucial win over Llanfair at Belle Vue.

Tne teenager, who made her first team debut last season, also scored against the Powys side in a Genero Adran Trophy clash earlier this term, but today was her best showing yet.

The victory, Rhyl’s first in five matches, gave them real breathing space in fourth spot in Tier 2 Genero Adran North.

In what was a very good game, the hosts started well, having much of the possession with Laura Williams striking two superb shots early on which narrowly went over both times.

On six minutes, the Lilywhites were caught out against the run of play when Llanfair broke down their left and Tonicha Lloyd delivered a ball to the back post where Harriet Davies applied the finish.

Rhyl did not let this affect them and continued to keep possession. In the 21st minute a long ball over the defence from Cassie Thomas fell to Rosie O’Brien, who drove into the box, hit a low powerful shot that struck the post and Llio Davies followed up to convert the rebound for 1-1.

The hosts then stepped up a gear and still controlled the play.

They knocked the ball around well, Becca Bannister saw the opportunity to thread a pass between the Llanfair centre-half and left back, keeper Ffion Davies came out but Sade Benjamin connected early and celebrated her 16th goal of the season with a cool finish.

Rhyl finished the first half on top and could feel satisfied with their efforts at the break..

The second half turned into a very even contest as both sides struggled to get into their passing game.

Laura Williams yet again blasted another outstanding shot which rattled the post, bounced out and hit a Llanfair defender, Davies continued to chase the ball and got the final touch to put it into the net and make it 3-1.

Rhyl defended very well from then on, Chloe Evans having a superb game.

However, on 53 minutes, Llanfair again worked down the right hand side, Harriet Davies put a cross into the box and Emma Williams was first to meet the ball and make it 3-2.

Llio Davies made a fantastic opportunity out of nothing to complete her hat-trick, driving the ball from wide but smacking the post – very unlucky not make it a treble. Almost a trio for Llio!

CPD Y RHYL 1879

Bethan Thomas
Saskia Wynne Thomas
Sophie Haywood
Cassie Thomas
Rosie O’Brien
Becca Bannister (c)
Laura Williams
Sade Benjamin
Chloe Evans
Chelsea Evans
Llio Davies
SUBS USED
Loz Jones (GK)
Hana Eagles
Alicia Duke
Imogen Williams