JD CYMRU NORTH: 10-man Rhyl 1879 edge victory at Mold mudbath

JD CYMRU NORTH – FEBRUARY 21

Mold Alexandra 0 CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1

Revenge for Rhyl 1879 as they made amends for a 3-0 home defeat to Mold earlier this season by claiming a 1-0 triumph at Alyn Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Lilywhites achieved their success despite being reduced to 10 men following a debateable sending off.

The MKH Stadium pitch had gone through an inspection in the morning, and looked relatively sound ahead of the match, but as referee Richard Wright got proceedings underway the heavens opened and the rain fell on an already drenched field.

Rhyl had the first chance on 11 minutes when Damase Kiwanda was bearing down on goal, but his effort was comfortably saved by Mold keeper Joseph Smith.

The home side stepped up their efforts and laid siege to the Rhyl goal, forcing several corners and really testing the backline, but the defence coped admirably.

Alex thought they had taken the lead on the half hour with a far post tap-in, but the assistant’s flag was raised for an offside.

With the half coming to an end, Lilywhites keeper Alex Swindell threw beyond the high pressing Mold defence. He found the feet of Jack Parry, who shrugged of his marker and headed towards goal.

Smith came flying out of the Mold goal, and despite it appearing Parry had avoided a collision, the keeper went down in apparent agony.

Referee Wright adjudged that Parry had caught Smith on the knee and there was enough grounds for a straight red card for serious foul play. It looked like a very harsh decision.

Undeterred, Rhyl started the second half the livelier, despite being down to 10 men, and almost took the lead when Kiwanda and Reece Fairhurst combined to find Dan Atkins, who volleyed just over the bar.

The breakthrough would finally come just after the hour mark. Rocco Hewitt’s rocket forced Smith into an incredible save – corner.
Ben Lightfoot delivered an inswinger from the left, Smith misjudged the flight of the ball, and it rolled over the line to jubilation from the stands and the Rhyl faithful.

As the rain continued to fall and the playing surface deteriorated further, the game suffered as a spectacle. Mold would try over and over to make their numerical advantage count, but the solid Rhyl midfield and derence held strong. A fine away win.

Next up for the Lilywhites will be a home game against bottom side Ruthin Town on Sunday, March 1.