News Archive : 2001/2002
November

Super 'whites rise to second in the table!
Rhyl 3 Aberystwyth Town 0

The battle of the seaside resorts ended in Rhyl's favour with a superb second half performance seeing off the challenge of Frank Gregan's side. The first half saw chances for both sides, with Glyndwr Hughes and Gary Lewis going close for Aber, and   Durnin, Stannard and Welton testing the Aber goalie with goalbound efforts. Rhyl were boosted early in the second half when a Steve Futcher corner was headed home by centre-back Michael Jackson and Rhyl never looked back. John Durnin showed his class to add a second on 67 minutes and Justin Perry sealed matters with a delightful third shortly before the end.  Lee Williams was called upon to make some valuable stops in the latter stages. but this was a great win for Rhyl, and one which they will wish to emulate on Monday night when they travel down to Newport County for a vital Premier Cup tie.

RHYL: L Williams, S Futcher, G Hennigan (R Williams 75"), M Jackson, C Webster, J Brewerton, J Stannard, J Perry, N Welton, J Durnin, M Cross.

Rhyl need win to keep hopes alive!
Preview: Newport County v Rhyl (Tonight,7:30pm)

Rhyl need a win tonight to keep alive their faint hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Premier Cup. They meet a Newport team in fine form, having won their last three cup games on the trot, and having earned an away tie against Blackpool in the First Round of the FA Cup. Rhyl will be boosted by another impressive performance against Aberystwyth on Saturday, but will again be forced into fielding a makeshift team due to enforced absences.

The last time Rhyl played a team called Newport County was way back in 1952/3.   County were a football league team at the time but Rhyl beat them 3-2 and went on to win the Welsh Cup. Lee Williams will be hoping for more of the same in tonight's game!

Rhyl's Norwegian Supporters Club, who have been staying in Wales this week, will be making the trip down to cheer the lads on.

Spytty Stalemate!!
Newport County 0 Rhyl 0 - Premier Cup
Rhyl took the game to Newport and deserved more than a solitary point after a creditworthy performance. With Rhyl's midfield on top of matters in the first half, chance after chance went begging for Durnin, Perry and Wiliams as Rhyl peppered Pat Mountain's goal. Mountain did well to push Durnin's goalbound effort round the post and Mathew Cross also saw his effort saved.  On the occasions when Newport did venture upfield, they found Lee Williams - LoW Manager of the Month award winner for October - in fine form.

With the facing wind making the play more difficult in the second half, Newport grew in stature, becoming more of a force. Rhyl relied more and more on breakaways, but when they did break forward they looked dangerous. Mathew Cross caused all manner of havoc on the left wing, and broke through only for a tame shot to go wide of the post. John Durnin almost scored when his effort was cleared frantically off the line, and a series of corners ensued where the slightest touch could have opened the scoring. At the other end, Rhyl's defence was kept busy as well, with an unorthodox clearance from Webster keeping the AmberMen at bay on one occasion. A period of pressure late on could have seen Rhyl steal the win, but it ended a draw with a good performance nonetheless.

Rhyl: Williams, Futcher, A Jones, Jackson, Webster, Brewerton, R Williams, Perry, Mick Jones, Durnin, Cross.

Attendance: 519

Its been a pretty good few weeks for me and the boys. Obviously we are all delighted with our current run of form, which has now taken us to second in the league. Unfortunately, we have struggled to translate our league form into our performances in the various cups, which has been disappointing. However the series of long midweek trips have meant numerous changes to the side, mainly due to people being unable to get the necessary time off work and a few injuries and illnesses. This lack of continuity has certainly affected our performances. Saying that, we have an excellent, young squad at the club and everyone who Lee has brought in has done a great job for the team. With people missing, other lads have come in and really made the most of their opportunity. One notable example is Andy Jones. He has been superb in central midfield over the past few weeks, and Lee confessed it was an extremely difficult decision leaving him out on Saturday. However,Becks has a great deal of self-belief and ability and will no doubt be looking to get back in the side as soon as possible.

With so many good players at the club, Lee faces tough selection decisions like this every week. We were extremely disappointed not to have beaten Cwmbran on Tuesday night after being superb at Llanelli on the previous Saturday. After playing really well in the first half in atrocious conditions and going in one-up at the break, we were very confident. However, we played very deep in the second half, which gave Cwmbran a bit too much room to play in. They didnt create too much, however they did manage to sneak an equaliser. We had chances to kill the game off, and to not take full points from such a physical encounter was frustrating. However, overall we played relatively well against a strong side.

Saturdays performance against Aber was much more satisfying. After a slow start, which is an annoying trait of ours, in which they looked dangerous, we started to dominate in midfield in the latter stages of the first half. Ged Hinnighan, who we have signed from Burscough, was superb. Geds workrate, aggression and forward
runs have made a big difference to our midfield, and he has been, for me, outstanding in each game he has played. Ged and Steve Futcher winning their midfield battle allowed John Durnin to see a lot more of the ball and he started creating chances. John Stannard was also working extremely hard, containing their excellent full back, Drysdale. The goal after half-time was the catalyst for us dominating the second half. Jackos unstoppable header was much deserved. From then on, there was only going to be one winner. They didnt look like scoring with
Webby, Brewey and Jacko in such fine and composed mood, and we looked like scoring every time we went forward. The second goal killed the game and the third was the icing on the cake.

We were delighted with the performance, as was Lee, and we are looking now to make a really strong challenge for the league. Apparently, no Rhyl side has ever topped the League of Wales, and we are now desperate to do so.

I know the whole squad would like me thank all of the supporters who were there on Saturday, and indeed for every game. The support we receive is a big boost in every match, and it gives us a great deal of confidence and determination to perform. Theres nothing we like better than to hear Sunny Rhyl! ringing in our ears
when we score. Many thanks, and we aim to give you a great deal to sing about!

On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone at the club for making me feel so welcome in my first few weeks at the club. Being the new boy is not always easy, especially when Ive followed such a popular and successful striker as Danny Barton, but I have been given every encouragement, from Lee, John Hulse and
the rest of the boys, the committee and especially the supporters. Scoring my first home goal against Barry Town in front of the fans will long live in my memory. Many thanks.

Nick Welton

Oval re-union!
Preview: Caernarfon v Rhyl (Sat, 2.30pm)

Danny Barton's header went soaring over the bar in the game at the Oval in March 2000. Rhyl fans will be hoping for more of the same come Saturday!

With a large number of ex-Rhyl players making up manager Adie Jones' squad at the Oval, there will be little need for lengthy introductions ahead of  Saturday's match! Manager Jones was one of Rhyl's heroes in the 1993 Welsh Cup final, and was also manager of Rhyl the last time they beat Caernarfon at the Oval in March 2000. After taking the reigns at Caernarfon shortly afterwards, he guided them to the North Wales Cymru Alliance Championship with a squad built of many ex-Lilywhites. His recent acquisitions of Tommy Mutton, Mark Antrobus and Danny Barton has continued this trend, and that alone will provide enough motivation for both sides in Saturday's game.

Rhyl will be looking to build upon an excellent performance at Newport, and will be boosted by the return of Nick Welton. Rhyl have already had a 1-1 League Cup draw at the Oval, and although winning there on their last visit, it is not a ground that holds happy memories for Rhyl FC.It was only five years ago that Rhyl were beaten 8-1 there in a LoW fixture!

Rhyl fall to defeat, Barton scores!
Caernarfon Town 3 Rhyl 2

Rhyl, as has happened so often this season, started at a tremendous pace, and deservedly took an early lead when John Stannard fired home. That's how it stayed until half-time. Caernarfon then took the initiative and equalised through a Ben Johnston penalty after McGoona was floored in box, and went further ahead when the recently transferred Danny Barton scored against his former club. Nick Welton equalised with a header but a collapse in Rhyl's play saw Danny McGoona net a winner five minutes before the end to rub salt into Rhyl's wounds.  

Just in time for the cold weather ...
The new Rhyl FC scarves have arrived and will be available from the Club shop tomorrow, 17 November for the Wales v Belgium Women's World Cup game.

The scarf is being sold for £ 7.50 to cover the set up costs, and we have 100 available. A white background with black writing and tassels, with Rhyl Football Club and 'The Lilywhites' as its main centre, with the Club badge on either end. Very impressive. 100% Acrylic

Last Saturday saw the end of our long unbeaten run in the league away at Caernarfon. It had to happen eventually, but to slip up at our local neighbours was extremely disappointing, and from our point of view, very unexpected. We went there full of confidence and all the lads were obviously up for it. We thought we could well have been top of the league at the end of the day if results had gone our way. Unfortunately, it didnt quite work out like that.

Jon Stannard continued his impressive recent form with a superb early goal, and there was only ever one team in it in the first half. However, although we dominated the half, we failed to create many clear-cut chances, which turned out to prove costly. Saying that, we did create enough to have been comfortably ahead at the break, and should have taken the opportunities we made for ourselves. I, for one, should have scored. The half time team talk was positive, despite only being one ahead, and Lee was relatively happy with the way we were imposing ourselves on the game. If we maintained our work rate and attitude, we were confident we could score plenty more.

The second half, as we know was completely different. Our passing lacked care and accuracy, and we seemed to lose concentration all over the pitch. Why, I dont know. I feel sure that if we had passed it better, we could have retained possession much better and made them chase the game. After a few passes went astray, we seemed to become a bit panicky. This, in my opinion, is a fault of ours that appears too often, and the rest of the lads agree, as we talked about it at length in the evening after the game. Although we are a very young side (Im one of the older ones at 26!) we need to start playing more maturely, especially when we are in front, bossing games and killing them off. We cant really use the age factor as an excuse, as I feel everyone at the club is easily good enough to play this way, and, despite the age, there is a great deal of experience in the squad. We need to communicate and concentrate better. Im sure well get there. We havent done too badly already!

Although we were all absolutely gutted to lose (the changing room was not a nice place to be after the game) we are still comfortably in touch at the top of the table. Weve got two free weeks now where we will look to improve our organization and communication in training, and Ive no doubt that we will return with a win against the Druids of Wrexham.

Again, many thanks from the dressing room for the support we are receiving from the fans. Even when we are struggling, as on Saturday, they still sing their hearts out and encourage us all the way. Were still improving as a team, and hopefully well keep giving you something to sing about!

Nick Welton

Ladies World Cup Qualifier at Belle Vue, Rhyl.
Final Score - Wales 0 Belgium 2

First teamers to play in mini-derby!
Rhyl will field new signing Lee Coathup along with four other recognised first teamers in tomorrow's Welsh Alliance league derby fixture at Belle Vue. With the Reserves enjoying a successful season so far, a good game is envisaged. Please come along and show your support.

Reserves Topple Rivals
Report: Rhyl Res 2 Bangor City Res 0
RHYL cashed in on the chance to dent old rivals Bangor City's push for the Tyn Lon Volvo Welsh Alliance League crown by including five available first-teamers in their formidable side to send second-from-top Bangor toppling to a 2-0 defeat.
The Belle Vue crowd were also given the chance to run the rule over new signing Lee Coathup signed from TNS Llansantffraid to strengthen the defence and couldn't fail to have been impressed.
The experienced 34 year old campaigner helped bottle up the Bangor attack in a promising debut and he clearly looks like proving a most valuable addition to the senior squad.
Rhyl took just three minutes to make their intentions clear with a goal from Andy Davies in a scramble in the box and when Alan Jones put away a second from fourteen yards on 23 minutes it was all up for outplayed Bangor.
Robbie Jones showed why he is such a popular performer with another outstanding display in midfield while Coathup never gave the Bangor front-runners a serious look in.
Nick Brookman, Alan Jones and Andy Davies all went close as Rhyl threatened to widen the margin in a strong second half showing but an angled cross from Jones which skimmed the Bangor crossbar was the closest they came as Bangor fell to only their second defeat of the
season.  (report courtesy of RhylJournal.co.uk)

Report: Cefn Druids 2 Rhyl 0
Rhyl disappointed the many that travelled down from the coast with another below par performance at one of the club's LoW bogey grounds. It was a  workmanlike Cefn side that settled matter before half time with two goals from Ross Jefferies (18") and Mike Davies (34"). Rhyl struggled to make any headway against a robust Cefn back line, and made very little impact after the break. It was a deserved win for the homesters, gaining them three very valuable points at the bottom of the table.

RHYL: L Williams, S Futcher (A Jones 75"), G Hinnigan, C Webster, M Jackson, Coathup, J Stannard, R Williams, Welton, Durnin, Cross.

Attendance: 238

Preview: Rhyl v Owestry (Sat,2:30pm)
Rhyl go into tomorrow's fixture desperate to pick up some league points after a disappointing return from the last two away matches. The task will be made all that harder now that Justin Perry has been tempted away from the club by a huge pay offer. Manager Lee Williams is hoping to announce a replacement in the next week or so. Lee Coathup should figure in his home league debut.

Lee Williams will be presented with his Loosemoore's 'Manager of the Month' award for October prior to the match.