North Wales Coast East: Rhos United trio achieve something unique, Penmaenmawr top Premier

NORTH WALES COAST EAST LEAGUE

Division One

Rhos United 3 Llandudno Swifts 3

Three Rhos United players celebrated a very special double on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Richard Hillier-Evans, midfielder Richard Hill and striker Adam Williams have all now won back-to-back league titles with the same teams, both of whom emerged unbeaten throughout entire seasons.

The trio achieved the feat with Bow FC in 2023-24 and now Rhos.

Last season, Bow went 20 undefeated – 19 wins and a draw – while this term Rhos recorded 24 without loss, 19 victories, five draws, 108 goals scored and just 19 conceded.

That’s 44 games, 38 wins and six draws for the terrific triumvirate.

Of course, the achievements have been very much down to two cracking teams as well as the three invincibles.

One of the heroes whose name will be carved into club folklore is substitute Danny Gizzi, who produced a 94th minute equaliser to save Rhos’ unbeaten run in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Llandudno Swifts.

Rhos had a chance to take the lead when they earned a 20th minute penalty but Adam Williams’ effort struck the post.

Williams certainly did not let that miss affect him as on 28 minutes he latched onto a quick throw from Bret Durkan to produce a calm and clinical finish.

Swifts certainly did not turn up to play second fiddle to the champions.

Before half time, Jake Carey struck twice for the visitors to make it 2-1 at the break.

Swifts piled on the pressure after the restart and Carey soon completed a great hat-trick.

Rhos’ heads dropped. The tension was real. Losing would mean lifting the trophy with a bitter taste, but this team wasn’t going out like that.

A long goal kick from Swifts resulted in Billy Bibby winning the header and Durkan flicking on to Adam Williams who brought down the ball and smashed home his 25th goal of the season.

The minutes ticked away as Rhos desperately sought the equaliser. The 94th minute brought the last throw of the dice.

Durkan was brought down outside the area and Gizzi’s low and hard free kick through a crowded penalty area beat the keeper to make it 3-3.

Undefeated!

Rhos will now target the double when they meet Penrhyn Bay in the REM Jones Cup Final at the Go Goodwins Stadium, Llandudno, this Saturday, April 26, 2pm kick-off.

CPD Henllan 2 Penrhyn Bay 3

Narrow win for Penrhyn Bay thanks to goals from Pete Jones, Aaron Gregson and Scott Hewitt, Alex Thomas and Dan Lewis replying.

Premier Division

Bow FC 9 Rhuddlan Town 4

Bow ensured they will finish outside of the bottom two with a crushing win over relegated Rhuddlan.

Isaac Carey and Dan Sim scored two apiece, Kyle Robb, Gregory Hall and Joseph Carey one each, while there were own goals from Joshua Edwards and Luke Bowers.

Liam Bowers (2), Ryan Gordon and Shaun Edwards replied for the away side.

CPD Cerrigydrudion 4 Llandyrnog United 1

Iorwerth Jones, Tegid Williams and Delwyn Jones bagged a goal apiece for the hosts, who also benefited from a Jamie Jones own goal.

Dafydd Jones nabbed a late reply for Dyrny.

Llandudno Amateurs 4 CPD Llansannan 5

Dafydd Ifan Jones’ 92nd minute stunner secured a cracking win for Llansannan in a nine-goal thriller.

Lewys Jones scored the other four visiting goals including a penalty, Chris Smyth (2), Lee Savings and James Cory with the Amateurs’ responses.

Meliden 3 Llanfairfechan Town 2

The Miners edged it at The Mine, Evan Espley, Oliver Buckley and sub Joe Newell making up their total, Dylan Edwards and a Jon Terry own goal keeping Llanfair in the hunt.

Mochdre Sports 0 Kinmel Bay 1

Goal magician Connor Morris’ 27th of the season after just four minutes was enough to win the day for Kinmel Bay, who edged up to second spot, just two points behind leaders Penmaenmawr having played a game more.

Penmaenmawr Phoenix 3 CPD Bro Cernyw 0

New leaders Penmaenmawr had to work hard to see off a determined Bro Cernyw outfit at Cae Sling.

Alex Brownhill, James Hobson and Adam Hold’s seventh goal in five games and 31st of the season sealed the three points for Aaron Keating’s men.