Archive Classics: Rhyl win their first Welsh Premier League title at Porthmadog (2003-04)

Having covered North Wales football for close on 40 years, I’ve attended and reported on hundreds if not thousands of games across the pyramid.
Here’s another in a series of classics from the archives

Welsh Premier League 2003-04

Porthmadog 0
Rhyl 2 (G Powell 18, Moran 89)

May 1, 2004

John Hulse’s Rhyl side celebrated winning their first-ever Welsh Premier League title with a 2-0 victory on a sunny day at Y Traeth.
Early on, the visitors enjoyed most of the possession and controlled the midfield with Steve Walters showing up well.
As early as the second minute home keeper Gerard McGuigan had to block close range effort and soon Andy Moran was breaking on the right and feeding Gary Powell on the edge of the box, but the shot flew over the bar.
Rhyl applied the pressure but Ryan Davies, Lee Webber and an outstanding John Gwynfor Jones defended well, denying Moran a shot on target on more than one occasion.
Then after 18 minutes the Lilywhites took the lead.
Jamie Brewerton received on the left and played a good low ball into the box finding Gary Powell in space and the experienced forward drove right footed and low past McGuigan.
Apart from a shot over the bar by Walters on the half-hour the league leaders failed to carve out any more opportunities during the opening period.
Port threatened when Carl Owen outpaced the Rhyl defence in pursuit a through ball. Keeper Paul Smith rushed out of goal to do enough to force Owen to screw his shot wide.
HALF-TIME: 0-0
Port started well in the second period and were so unlucky not to equalise on 50 minutes when Carl Owen turned inside his marker and sent a curling 20-yard effort against the upright with Smith beaten.
As the home side continued to apply the pressure the referee Kevin Parry turned down a loud 58th minute appeal for handball against Brewerton – bad call by the official
Rhyl realised they needed to score again to feel secure and Marc Limbert’s cross from the right was nodded just over by Moran. Powell sent another header just over from a Stuart Graves free-kick.
A save by McGuigan from Walters followed, but Port picked up the pace again and Owen lashed a low drive just past Smith’s left hand post.
Finally, with a minute left, Rhyl grabbed a second and sealed the title.
Mike Foster appeared to lose his footing and Moran was on hand to take a typical striker’s goal with a controlled run and clinical finish.
It was then a case of let the party start and soon players and supporters alike in the 837 crowd had started their well deserved celebration of a magnificent Welsh Premier season.

Porthmadog
Gerard McGuigan, John G Jones, Ryan Davies, Lee Webber, Mike Foster, Gareth Caughter, Dafydd Evans (Campbell Harrison), Ritchie Owen, Grahame Austin (Gareth Parry), Mark Williams (Tony Williams), Carl Owen

Rhyl
Paul Smith, James Brewerton, Mark Powell, Lee Atherton, Tim Edwards, Steve Walters, Gareth Wilson, Marc Limbert, Andy Moran, Gary Powell, Stuart Graves. Subs: Michael Jackson, Chris McGinn, Chris Adamson.

ALSO FEATURED SO FAR IN ARCHIVE CLASSICS….

Llandudno Junction Ladies 0 Wrexham Ladies 2 (May 2014)
Caernarfon Town 3 Liverpool 2 (Aug 8, 1987)
Prestatyn Sports 2 Llandudno Albion 1 (May 2015)..
Prestatyn Town 7 Carmarthen Town 1 (Apr 16, 2013)
Rhyl 3 Aberystwyth Town 1 (Aug 31, 2016)
Halkyn United 0 Denbigh Town 2 (Apr 6, 1996)
Prestatyn Town 5 Caernarfon Town 0 (Sep 2008)
Glantraeth 2 Penrhyndeudraeth 1 (May 2017)
Penrhyndeudraeth 4 Glantraeth 1 (May 2016)
Holywell Town 1 Caernarfon Town 3 (9.3.2019)
Chirk AAA 2 Penlan Club 1 (8.4.2017)
Rhyl 4 Porthmadog 5 (6.1.2018)
Bala Town 2 Differdange 03 1 (9.7.2015)
Denbigh Town 1 Bangor 1876 0 (24.2.2023)
Holywell Town 4 Penrhyndeudraeth 2 (19.4.2015)
Rhyl 1 Wrexham 4 (12.5.2004)
Rhyl 5 Goytre United 2 (4.3.2006)
Prestatyn Town Reserves 2 Gwalchmai 1 (30.4.2010)
Bethesda Athletic 3 Rhyl 2 (9.2.2008)
Llanfairpwll 2 Prestatyn Town 3 (5.4.2008)