MATCH REPORT: Cymru North debut for Rhyl 1879 and Brickfield Rangers far from a classic
JD CYMRU NORTH – JULY 25, 2025
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 0
Brickfield Rangers 0
In their previous 149 league and cup matches Rhyl 1879 had only once been involved in a 0-0 draw – an Ardal North West encounter at home to Brickfield Rangers in the 2023-24 season.
On Friday evening lightning struck twice as the Lilywhites recorded only a second goalless draw in 150 games.
The opposition was again Brickfield and the venue also Belle Vue, now known as the Hops and Barley Community Stadium.
Last season both sides won their respective league titles – Rhyl the Ardal North West and Rangers the Ardal North East.
Friday’s clash was a first-ever Cymru North match for the pair and it is safe to say it will not be remembered with any zest.
Paul Moore’s home side dominated the opening half, enjoying nearly all the possession but struggling to create clear chances.
Josh Lawrenson had a fierce shot blocked, Morgan Murray failed to control when a Tom Kemp cross was flicked on in the box and Lawrenson lashed over from 25 yards.
The second half saw Brickfield a little more ambitious.
They had the first on-target shot of the game after 49 minutes when Calum Huxley fired straight at keeper Flynn Proctor.
Thomas Williams then broke down the right, into the box and from the byline poked goalwards, but Reece Fairhurst’s last-ditch challenge diverted the ball over the bar.
Jack Edwards blocked a 63rd minute clearance which ricocheted goalwards, but Proctor managed to grasp the ball.
The 65th minute brought the best chance of the match. Last defender Kemp was robbed by Andy Vale who broke through on goal, but Proctor got down well to deny him.
Dylan Proctor, looking far less comfortable in wide attack than central, hit a volley on the turn which was comfortably held by keeper Robbie Williams.
In added time, an audacious lob from near halfway was dropping into the net for Brickfield, but Flynn Proctor showed nerves of steel to back-pedal and palm the ball out.
That would have been a terrible time to concede and a calamitous goal from an 1879 point of view.
Rhyl played some nice football, but the final delivery constantly let them down, By the end, the standard of passing had deteriorated rapidly.
In the end, a draw was a fair result as neither side did enough to win the game.
TEAMS
Rhyl 1879: Flynn Proctor, Leo Latter, Billy Holmes, Tom Kemp, Reece Fairhurst (c), Rocco Hewitt, Josh Lawrenson, Jack Parry, James Parr, Morgan Murray, Dylan Proctor. Subs used: Lewis Hodson, Paul Fleming, Seb Bolton, Arthur Hancock. PoM: Flynn Proctor.
Brickfield Rangers: Robbie Williams, Thomas Williams, Calum Roberts, Matty Williams, Ryan Williams, Andy Vale, Gerson Silva Neto, Calum Huxley, Kiran Russell. PoM: Thomas Williams.
Subs used: Jardel Lima Teixeira, Danny Jones