RHEWL 0
LLANDYRNOG 5
IT looks like Summer League champions Llandyrnog fancy a double this season.
Not content with sitting on their laurels after securing a first league title in 11 years, Llandyrnog are targeting a 10th league and Shield double after a superb display brought a premature end to Rhewl’s season.
Two records bit the dust on the night. Rhewl went into the tie boasting an unbeaten 2011 record at home, while Pete Lloyd’s side had scored in every game this season before Thursday.
Rhewl had the bit between their teeth in the early stages and they were on the front foot thanks to some intelligent play from Ian Williams, while Rob Thomas looked lively.
But it was Llandyrnog who took the lead from their first real chance.
On eight minutes, Danny Roberts’ lofted cross from the left resulted in Josh Davies heading the opener into the roof of the net.
It was almost Davies at the double three minutes later when Rhewl number one Bryn Jones lost track of the ball in the sun and the Llandyrnog marksman was denied by the goalkeeper’s back!
However, from Danny Porter’s ensuing corner, Lucas Cruz was given too much space to net the visitors’ second with a comfortable header.
Llandyrnog really had the cutting edge and they effectively sealed a semi-final spot when they bagged goal number three midway through the first half.
Determination and skill paid dividends as Josh Davies got the better of experienced Rhewl centre back Geoff Hinchcliffe and he arrowed a top-notch strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.
A sense that it wasn’t going to be Rhewl’s night came on 25 minutes when Ian Williams’ blistering 30-yard free kick had visiting keeper Danny Jones beaten, but it clattered back out off the angle of post and crossbar.
That was Jones’ only real moment of concern and the youngster looks a cracking prospect, on the back of a fine handling display.
Llandyrnog began the second period brightly and only a fine reflex save from Bryn Jones denied Josh Davies his hat-trick.
Jones did amazingly well, considering that he had injured his arm late in the first half following a Phil Hinchcliffe challenge.
Cruz almost bagged a second, only to be foiled by a superb last-ditch Elis Owen block, while the hosts had a chance to reduce the deficit, but Danny Jones stood strong to block Lewis Isaac’s shot.
That was a rare lapse from the Llandyrnog backline, for whom Russ Moorcroft, Adam Lloyd, Tudur Morris and Emyr Jones were outstanding.
The champions continued to make headlines at the other end and on 67 minutes it was 4-0 with Lucas Cruz again finding the target with his head.
Llandyrnog weren’t quite finished, though, and soon after he clattered the crossbar with a curling shot, Danny Porter made it five with nine minutes left.
Porter’s 30-yard shot arrowed into the corner of the net, leaving substitute keeper Jack Cooledge with no chance.