Ardal North West – stunning loss for leaders Rhyl sets up need for a big response at St Asaph this Saturday
ARDAL NORTH WEST – FEBRUARY 17 REPORTS
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1 Llangefni Town 4
A nasty jolt to leaders Rhyl’s title ambitions at the weekend now makes this Saturday’s clash at second place St Asaph a game of huge importance to the Lilywhites.
Llangefni Town threw the cat among the pigeons in the battle for top spot as they walloped Gareth Thomas’ side 4-1 in their own Belle Vue backyard last Saturday.
The last time 1879 lost 4-1 at home in the league was back in August at the hands of Flint Mountain.
Rhyl followed that result with 10 league wins and a draw. They will be hoping last weekend’s rude awakening has a similar effect when they visit Roe Plas Meadows on Saturday.
Saints, in their first season back in Tier 3, will certainly make life hard for their near neighbours.
And the result of the game will also be of interest to other teams whose title dreams received a boost last weekend – the likes of Nantlle Vale, Llay Welfare, Pwllheli and Mountain.
While 1879 still have a seven-point lead at the summit with 40 points from 18 games, those below them have matches in hand.
Saints have 33 points from 17, Nantlle are on 32 from 15, Llay 32 from 16 and Mountain 26 from 12. Llagefni and Pwllheli are also still in the mix.
In short, Rhyl have just stumbled badly and they need a big response.
Few would have foreseen a final score of Rhyl 1 Llangefni 4 last weekend, but the Anglesey side were good value for the result.
There was a disappointing start for the home side, conceding after just 10 minutes, Gerwyn Roberts making no mistake.
The Anglesey travellers continued to be dangerous on the counter-attack, eventually doubling their lead on 23 minutes. John Littlemore crossed and Osian Jones finished.
With 42 minutes played, Cameron Jones made it 3-0 to the away side.
A disappointing first half for the Lilywhites leaving boss Gareth Thomas no option but to ring the changes for the second period in search of a reaction from his squad.
On came Miles Todd, James Hay, Adam Hold and Mark Roberts.
A more even second half ensued but the damage had been done from a home side point of view.
There were no further goals until the 80th minute, Mark Roberts scoring with a diving header for the hosts.
Rhyl continued to look for another goal to reduce the deficit, in doing so leaving gaps at the back. In the 89th minute Llangefni’s Iwan Jones rounded off a great afternoon for his side with the islanders’ fourth.
Brickfield Rangers 2 Pwllheli 0
A first league defeat in seven games for Pwllheli as Brickfield claimed the honours at Clwyedog Park.
Aiden Fox put the hosts in front on 19 minutes, but the points were not sealed until eight past the 90, when Harley Steel made it two.
Hawarden Rangers 0 Conwy Borough 1
After five straight league losses Conwy picked up a much-needed win at Gladstone Playing Fields.
Alex Roberts’ 73rd minute strike was enough to bank the points for Boro at the expense of next-to-bottom Hawarden.
Llay Welfare 6 Y Felinheli 1
Six-goal Llay produced the type of dynamic finishing performance they have long hinted they are capable of.
Michael Wright put the hosts in front on 25 minutes and Jon Collo set up Aled Roberts for number two just before the break.
Two minutes into the second half, Scott Swords made it 3-0, Max Peate this time with the assist.
Roberts bagged his second on 51, then further goals from sub Dan Lloyd and Tom Wells put the Welly truly out of sight.
Guto Huws scooped a consolation for Felinheli with 79 gone.
St Asaph City 1 Bethesda Athletic 0
Jake Walker’s 92nd minute penalty ensured Saints breathed a huge sight of relief as they edged past a struggling Bethesda outfit who had threatened to claim a point.
Pesda’s cause was not helped by the highly contentious sending off in the 39th minute of Noa Hughes for what appeared a firm, clean tackle being deemed worthy of a second yellow by referee Liam Gray.