News Archive : 2001/2002
March

The final countdown: Nine to go
Preview: Aberystwyth v Rhyl (LoW)
Rhyl will be hoping it's third time lucky that the match goes ahead tomorrow. Rain  has decimated matches in mid-Wales of late, culminating in Aber's second consecutive home postponement in midweek after Port Talbot had travelled up. Rhyl fans are advised to keep in contact with Aberystwyth Town FC on 01970-617919 to avoid any wasted journey.

Rhyl will be looking for a crucial double against Aber, but will be aware of not having too good a record at Park Avenue. Last year's match saw a Lee Trundle inspired Rhyl draw 2-2 after dominating the match for long periods. This season's match at Belle Vue ended 3-0, with all the goals coming in the second half. Aber are not having the best of seasons, but could overtake Rhyl in the league if they won their games in hand.

Promises to be a cracking match, so if you can make it, come down to Park Avenue to roar the boys on!!!

Last gasp draw earned by Green
Report: Aberystwyth 1 Rhyl 1 (LoW)
Andy Green's last gasp equaliser gave Rhyl a share of the spoils, but it gave little indication of a second half in which Rhyl dominated from start to finish, only to fall behind to a Gavin Allen goal five minutes from the end. An entertaining first half ended scoreless, with both sides cancelling each other out in a midfield battle. The second half saw Rhyl come out with more vigour, and they could so easily have taken the lead with two glorious Andy Moran chances. The best being the lob over the keeper when he broke free, only to see the ball skim the crossbar by a matter of inches. Rhyl were made to rue these chances when a cross ball found the unmarked Gavin Allen outside the box, and he rifled to the left of the despairing Billy Stewart. Rhyl never gave up, and came back strongly with James Brewerton forcing  'keeper Kinsella to push the ball onto the crossbar from point-black range. With only a few seconds on the clock, substitute Andy Green knocked home from a goalmouth melee to send the vociferous away following into raptures. Rhyl will be glad to have come away with a point after falling behind, but the second half superiority deserved better and they will be looking to make amends in next Saturday's game against Caernarfon at Belle Vue.

RHYL: Stewart, Webster, Rigby, Futcher, Brewerton, Wilson, Stannard (Green 82'),
Brookman, Moran, Spike (Welton 70'), Cross.

Attendance: 375

Coast Cup Match - Bay on Thursday!
The game between Rhyl and Colwyn Bay has been arranged for Llanelian Road this Thursday at 7:30pm. The winners will play Bangor City at home in the quarter finals.

Aber Match Action


James Brewerton tackles Glyndwr Hughes


Andy Moran in the thick of things, former Rhyl player
Ged Hennigan and Steve Futcher in background.

Graham hat-trick ko's Rhyl
Report: Colwyn Bay 3 Rhyl 1 (Coast Cup)
Colwyn Bay opened the better side for the first 20 mins and scored through Deiniol Graham with a close range shot in a packed 6 yard box. Nick Welton equalised 5 mins later with a good low shot into the corner following good work by the impressive Phil McDiarmud down the left. Graham added a second and just before half time the Bay were awarded a penalty for a foul against Brewerton, which Graham scored.

In the second half Rhyl bossed for long periods but couldn't find the net.

Lilywhites serve up a tweet!
Report: Rhyl 3 Caernarfon Town 1 (LoW)
Super Rhyl kept the pressure on at the top of the league with a valuable win against highly placed Caernarfon Town. Andy Moran opened the scoring after only nine minutes, converting a penalty after he had been tripped by Tim Brandreth. The Cofi's equalised within eleven minutes, and it was two Rhyl old-boys who did the damage, Scott Millington's corner being flicked in by Tommy Mutton. Rhyl regained the acsendency before half-time when Andy Moran scored his second of the game. Chances went begging for both teams after the interval but Michael Jackson, back in the team after a period of suspension sealed matters, and capped a man-of-the-match performance when he headed home the crucial third goal after 77 minutes.

Rhyl keep the pressure up on the rest of the chasing pack, and are five points behind top-of-the-table Barry in the table.

Rhyl: Stewart, Rigby, Coathup, Jackson, Brewerton, Futcher, Stannard, Brookman, Moran (Jones 88'), Spike (Green 75'), Cross (Welton 61')

Attendance: 378

Blank weekend for Rhyl as chasing pack close in
It was bad news for Rhyl's European aspirations this week, with the chasing pack all making up ground on the Lilywhites' position of second in the table. Rhyl are now only two points clear, having played four or more games than their rivals. In midweek there was a 1-0 win for Bangor at Oswestry, 2-1 for TNS,Llansantffraid against Druids and leaders Barry came away from Haverfordwest with a 1-0 victory.

Tonight could see Rhyl leapfrogged by either Bangor or TNS,Llansanttfraid should they win at Cefn Druids or Aberystwyth respectively.

Rhyl's next match is home against Cefn Druids on Tuesday night, KO 7:30pm.

Supporters Association Transport to Oswestry (23.3)
Fans wishing to travel on the Supporters Association bus to Oswestry on Saturday, 23rd March, please contact Chairman Bryn Williams on . The bus will be leaving at 11am and the cost will be approximately £6.

Sponsored Walk
Rhyl's "April Fools", Bryn Williams, Glyn Turner, Gary Vaughan and Colin Ward will be trekking by foot from Belle Vue to Connah's Quay Nomads on Easter Monday, and they're looking for sponsors to make their efforts worthwhile!

It doesn't matter what amount you can afford to sponsor them for, but please make their hike worthwhile, swelling the club's coffers in the process.

Donate using the link below or pick up a form at the next home games. Thank You.

The Final Countdown: seven to go
Preview: Rhyl v Cefn Druids (Tonight, 7:30pm)
Rhyl fell to fourth in the table after good wins over the weekend for Bangor (7-3 at Druids) and TNS,Llansantffraid (3-1 at Aberystwyth).  It means that tonight's match against Druids at Belle Vue takes on greater importance as Rhyl look to seal a European qualification spot. Manager Lee Williams will not have fond memories of the game at Plaskynaston earlier in the season, with his charges having an off-day and falling to a 2-0 defeat. Druids went into that game on the back of a heavy defeat at Bangor, and following their drubbing on Friday will be looking to bounce back in a similar fashion.

Rhyl have a full team to select from, and desperately needing three points it promises to be an excellent match. Make sure you're there to cheer the team on.

Rhyl host Semi-final
Belle Vue will be the venue for the Welsh Cup semi-final between Bangor City and Cefn Druids on Saturday, 6th of April, 2002. Kick off will be at 2:30pm.

Coach to Oswestry
Leaves Belle Vue at 11am on Saturday, please phone organiser Bryn Williams on 0797 993 8041 to book your place.

Druids double dismays Rhyl
Rhyl 1 Cefn Druids 2
Druids produced a smash 'n' grab raid to make up for a recent thrashing by Bangor and put a major dent in Rhyl's European aspirations. Andy Moran opened the scoring for Rhyl on 27 minutes only for Ross Jeffries to make the most of some sleepiness in the home defence to finish off a move from the restart for the equaliser. Rhyl couldn't break down the home defence after the interval, and were made to pay when Cunnah netted the winner on 67 minutes.

RHYL: L.Williams, Rigby, Coathup, Jackson, Brewerton, Futcher (Green 80'), Stannard (A.Jones 45'), Brookman, Moran, Spike, Welton.

Attendance: 164

O's dent Rhyl's hopes
Report: Oswestry Town 2 Rhyl 2
Rhyl's inability to see off opposition from the lower reaches of the table looks like costing them dear again. When hosts Oswestry took the lead from the penalty spot it seemed only a matter of time before Rhyl would claw themselves back into the game, and they did so through a nice finish from Moran on the half-hour. An own goal by Lokier then gave Rhyl a goal advantage going into the interval. Disaster struck after fifteen minutes in the second half when Michael Jackson was sent off, and Oswestry made the most of this numerical advantage when Baccino fired a tremendous equaliser ten minutes from time.

Rhyl: L.Williams, Rigby, Wilson, Jackson, Brewerton, Futcher, Welton, Brookman (Webster 62'), Moran (Stannard 79'), Spike, Cross.
Attendance: 161

'Form team' achieves memorable double
Report: Rhyl 1 Caersws 3 (LoW)
The league of Wales' form team came to Belle Vue and deservedly went home with all three points.  With a good crowd baking in the sunshine, it was Lee Spike who had the first chance of the afternoon when he got to a through ball first, only to see his sidefooted effort go the wrong side of the post. Caersws went ahead on six minutes, with Graham Evans racing through on the right and drilling a fine shot past Lee Williams. Rhyl came back strongly, and equalised on 11' when Andy Moran headed home from a right-wing cross. Caersws 'keeper Matt Griffiths kept his side in the game later in the half. First he saved Steve Futcher's free kick, and then he did well to block John Stannard's follow up.

Caersws opened the better after the interval, and almost took the lead when Graham Evans found himself with space in the box, unleashing a pile-driver that almost broke the crossbar. They didn't have to wait too long for their next chance, this time it was Hamer who found himself unmarked and he made sure by hitting the ball low and to the left of goalkeeper Williams. Disaster was then to follow for Rhyl's player-manager. He failed to hold onto the ball from a corner, and substitute Dave Williams was on-hand to knock home the third and final goal on 63 minutes.

RHYL: L.Williams, Wilson, Coathup, Jackson, Brewerton, Welton, Stannard (A.Jones 72'), Futcher (Webster 68'),Moran, Spike, Cross. Sub not used:Brookman

Attendance: 240

Youth Cup Final
Despite a fantastic performance, Rhyl's youth team went down to a 2-1 defeat against Connah's Quay in midweek. Rhyl went into the interval leading 1-0 thanks to a Mike Roose goal, but were pegged back and eventually fell to a late winner.

Reserves:
Rhyl Reserves lost 3-1 at Amlwch Town.