MATCH OF THE DAY 1: Rampant Rhos maintain unbeaten record at Swifts’ expense

NORTH WALES COAST EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Division One

Llandudno Swifts 2 (Carey 5, Guy 53)
Rhos United 4 (Chapman 14, Sealey 69 & 70, Allison 86)

Report and photos: Ryan Thomas (RT Photography)

Playing their first match in five weeks, Rhos stretched their season-long unbeaten league record to 12 matches and remain top on goal difference after a great away win at fellow high-flyers Swifts on Saturday.

This was an 11th win in a dozen outings for the red and blacks, who had won their previous two encounters 6-0 and the one before that 12-0!

This one was always destined to be tougher for Rhos and Swifts started full throttle.

In the opening minute Freddie Banning was through one-on-one with keeper Rich Hillier-Evans, who showed why he is one of the league’s best with a lovely stop to deny a goal.

The hosts were looking like a team who had worked hard over the winter break and they took a fifth minute lead when Oliver Carey’s lovely weighted cross from the right was headed home by Jake Carey.

Rhos finally started to get the ball and play and Lewis Sealey was only denied an equaliser from a free kick by Felix Domagala’s brilliant save.

In the 13th minute, a Sealey throw fell to Matt Christie, who scuffed his shot into the path of a poaching Mike Chapman and he levelled the score.

Both sides missed chances before Swifts had a massive opportunity in the 40th minute when Carey was through one-on-one, but again Hillier-Evans concocted a great save, and from a tight angle an off-balance Carey missed from the rebound.

Half-time: 1-1

At the beginning of the second half, Llandudno almost edged ahead when a sliced cross hit the bar.

On 53 minutes, Swifts’ dominant start paid off when Harry Montgomery found Jacob Guy, whose first time effort rocketed into the Rhos net.

Rhos made some changes which seemed to work as they started to grow into the game.

In the 69th minute, the leaders were level again when Billy Bibby’s quick thinking from Chris King’s throw in left him with space to cross from the right and a rising Sealey headed home.

Swifts were rocked and from their kick off, Phemmy Allison sent the ball forward, Euan Hince miss-controlled and Sealey pounced to round the keeper and make it 3-2.

The points were sealed in the 86th minute. After noticing the opposition keeper high off his line a few times in previous attacks, Allison pounced on a poor home pass and with 30 yards to goal let fly to score with a fine finish

A great game to watch and more maximum reward for Rhos who now have 3 games in hand over second-place Prestatyn Sports as they both sit on 34 points.

LLANDUDNO SWIFTS

Felix Domagala, Jacob Guy, Oliver Carey, Euan Hince, Frank Montgomery, Harry Montgomery, Freddie Banning, Shae Pugh, Jake Carey, Rhys Brook, Jacob Snape. Subs used: Aaron Hooper, Thomas Harrison, Reece Roberts, Gavin Paterson.

RHOS UNITED

Richard Hillier-Evams, Thomas Brady, Bret Durkan, Alex Stokes, Stephen Bibby, Richard Hill, Mike Chapman, Matt Christie, Adam Williams, Phemmy Allison, Lewis Sealey. Subs used: Danny Gizzi, Chris King, Richard Beardmore, Billy Bibby, Ray Lee.