Ardal North West: Rhyl 1879 can edge six points clear on Wednesday, NFA end Bay’s superb away run

ARDAL NORTH WEST – FEBRUARY 15

CPD Rhyl 1879 4
Menai Bridge Tigers 2

Rhyl 1879 will aim to move six points clear at the top when they visit bottom side Conwy Borough on Wednesday night.

The odds certainly favour the Lilywhites, who are undefeated in 12 – 10 wins and two draws – while Boro have lost 13 on the bounce, conceding 62 goals in the process.

Last season saw 1879 beaten 3-0 at Y Morfa, but the picture has changed for both clubs quite considerably since then.

On Saturday, Rhyl were 4-2 winners over a lowly Menai Bridge, who had held Paul Moore’s side 1-1 at home back in November.

New 1879 signing Harry Burnell, brought in from City of Liverpool, was announced before the game.

Manager Moore commented “Harry can play at the back or as a number 9 and adds experience to the squad, great to have him on board.”

Burnell made the match day squad, with Tom Kemp the only change coming back into the starting 11 after serving a suspension.

Tigers, next-to-bottom but who had beaten Llangefni Town, Conwy Borough and Pwllheli in recent times, were not to be taken lightly.

After Jamie McDaid broke clear but shot wide, the visitors made no mistake in taking a surprise lead on 17 minutes. Lewis Hodson’s misplaced pass was picked off by McDaid, whose strike was saved well by Adam Reid, but the ball fell to the feet of the oncoming Sion Hogan who netted from the edge of the box.

It would take just over two minutes for the Lilywhites to equalise. Hodson released Archie Jones, who took the ball in his stride and smashed it past Caron Hughes.

Rhyl would get their second on 37. A great move from midfield by Jason Foulkes saw him break the defensive line with a mazy run, and as keeper Hughes came rushing out, the ex-Denbigh Town man squared across the box for Dylan Proctor to slot into the empty goal.

After the break the pressure on the Bridge defence continued, and on 49 minutes Billy Holmes’ superb delivery was turned home by Archie Jones for his double.

On the hour, Rhyl would make two changes, Jordan Worthington and new signing Burnell replacing Hodson and Callum Proctor respectively.

Minutes later Jonny Bravo would come on for the limping Archie Jones, who had sustained a nasty knock moments earlier.

The visitors hit back on 73, McDaid setting up Matthew Jones to score with a nice first time finish.

However, the pressure continued from the home team and 1879 would restore their two-goal lead on 79.

After a sustained period of pressure that saw multiple corners and saves by Hughes, Paul Fleming teed up Sam Reynolds to blast into the top left corner

In a bad-tempered ending from the visitors, Sammy Bzeu was lucky not to receive a straight red after a late knee-high challenge on Kemp. Then moments later a bad tackle by Leon Owens on Reece Fairhurst resulted in the Tigers player receiving a deserved red.

AFTER-MATCH NEWS

Sadly, highly-promising young striker Archie Jones sustained ankle ligament damage and is unlikely to feature again this season.
Goalkeeper George Huyton and wide man Dylan Meredith have left the club, but Rhyl have signed exciting young midfielder Josh Lawrenson, who was recently at Rochdale.

NFA FC 1 Trearddur Bay 0

After six straight away league wins, Trearddur Bay’s wonderful run on the road came to an end in Rhyl.

Perhaps it was not surprising to see NFA scupper the Anglesey side’s winning streak, given their own brilliant record at Ffordd Derwen this term.

Bay travelled to NFA on the back of eight consecutive victories overall with one of those a 2-0 success in the reverse fixture at Bryn Ddu.

The hosts found themselves ahead after a bizarre goal. Paul Pritchard was out quick to stop a shot but his save rebounded into Tom Taylor and the ball trickled into an empty net,

Bay finished the half stronger and the best chance to equalise came to centre half Ant Marshall who found himself in an unusual position following a set piece, Marshall ran through but dragged his effort wide.

Bay found themselves with most of the possession in the second half but didn’t really make it count.

Some half chances were created but a resilient defensive performance from the hosts was the order of the day, bodies on the line ensured a complete shut out.

Corwen 1 Y Felinheli 2

Never-say-die. That will be Felinheli’s motto after the team no-one can discount any more struck twice in added time to take all three points at the War Memirial Ground.

Corwen led on 33 minutes through Seydou Bamba and that looked like it might be enough until captain Aled Griffith equalised after 90 from a Rhodri Dafydd assist.

Ryan Cain then set up Iwan Owen for a 95th minute decider.

Connah’s Quay Town 1 Llangefni Town 1

It finished all-square at Deeside Stadium, Connor Parry handing Quay a 31st minute lead before Osian Jones levelled after 63.

Cefni had defender Alun Roberts red-carded on 75.

Holyhead Hotspur 6 Nantlle Vale 0

Ruthless from Hotspur, veteran Kenleigh Owen and Craig Whelan both delivering doubles, while Cory Williams and sub Morgan Davies also on target.

Llanrwst United 0 Pwllheli 0

Nothing between the sides on the final whistle at Parc Gwydir.

Pwllheli were left with 10 men after Louis McFarlane’s 20th minute red-card, but the visitors held on for a good draw, although also receiving six yellow cards.

Porthmadog 2 CPD Llannefydd 2

Llannefydd’s eight-match winning run came to an end, but a draw at Y Traeth still represents a superb result for Gwyndaf Pritchard’s side.

For Port, it was two more points dropped in the title race.

Sam Jones edged the visitors ahead on 14 before Gruffudd Ellis equalised just before the break.

Tom Hilditch put the hosts in front after 56, but Mathew Evans restored parity on the hour and 2-2 is how it stayed.

St Asaph City 5 Conwy Borough 0

Captain Jake Walker (2), Ryan Potts, David Hayes and Liam Grayson shared the goals as Conwy were put to the sword at Roe Plas Meadows.