MATCH ANALYSIS: Senior stars shine brightest as Trearddur Bay take points at leaders Rhyl 1879

MATCH ANALYSIS

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST – MARCH 29, 2025

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1 (Bravo 88)
Trearddur Bay 2 (Gregg 62, T Jones 85)

Paul Pritchard and Les Davies, both aged 40, Sion Edwards, aged 37 and 32-year-old ‘veteran’ Toby Jones.

All still young men in life, yet in footballing terms in the twilight years of their outstanding careers.

However, these fab four were true standout performers for Trearddur Bay today in their well-deserved 2-1 win at Ardal North West leaders Rhyl 1879.

Between them, the quartet have won endless trophies and medals in the game, all the way to the top level, so perhaps they could be forgiven for taking an armchair ride in a lower league than they have usually competed in before.

Yet this afternoon all performed with the sort of determination and dedication which has stood them in such good stead for the past three decades.

They made a huge difference – Pritchard with his trademark wonder saves, Jones with his superb match-clinching goal, Davies offering unmatchable presence up front and Edwards, running around like a 17-year-old looking as good as he ever did.

You could quip that Dad’s Army won the battle at Belle Vue, but that would be doing an injustice to the many talented youngsters Trearddur Bay have on parade too.

As for Rhyl 1879, they should still win the title – four points from their last three games should be enough – but they are making life hard for themselves.

After 16 matches without defeat under Paul Moore in which they established themselves in such a strong position, they have lost the last two, both at home, to Holyhead Hotspur and Trearddur Bay, who have now completed doubles over them.

Still to come are Porthmadog and Llannefydd at home, plus Llanrwst United away. All very tricky assignments, but one more big winning performance and they’ll almost be there.

In their 4-3 loss to Hotspur, where they led 2-0 after 70 dominant minutes, Rhyl were caught out by a visiting side transformed by three substitutes. The hosts lost but overall played well.

Today was a different story altogether.

After a fairly even goalless first half, 1879 were blown away at the start of the second period by a Bay outfit which looked as if it had been fed Weetabix as an interval snack.

Two good goals from the Anglesey side and it could have been more.

By the time Rhyl pulled one back, it was too late.

Nothing came off for the Lilywhites. They constantly gave the ball away, the delivery from corners was poor, attacks slowed to a standstill and they really struggled with Trearddur’s set pieces – perhaps the Beach Boys had been tipped-off by neighbours Holyhead Hotspur about how they turned the tide a fortnight before, when crosses into the home box caused havoc.

Even the Lilywhites’ last attacking opportunity of the game, a corner, failed to clear the first defender. The passing was off-colour and they did not get enough shots on target, although when they did test Pritchard he was more than up to it.

So now it’s time to look ahead to next Saturday and the visit of second-place Porthmadog.

Holyhead brought a big crowd to Rhyl, Trearddur a good few though not so many, but the Lilywhites can expect quite a turnout from the brilliant Porthmadog fans next game up.

Rhyl’s own fans were magnificent again today and their vociferous best will be more than welcome next weekend as Moore’s marauders aim to get over the line.