RHYL boss Greg Strong is looking forward to 2012 following a bright first half of the season.
Strong’s Lilywhites finish the year in second place in the Huws Gray Alliance table after Gap Connah’s Quay regained top spot with a 2-1 Deeside derby win over Flint Town on Boxing Day.
Rhyl now trail the Quay by a point but with an all-important game in hand.
But the Lilywhites’ player-manager said he was delighted with surpassing his pre-season expectations, having started his side from scratch in the summer.
“When everyone was looking at the start of the season at who was in with a chance of winning the league, nobody mentioned us because of our situation and I think it was only really myself, Chris and Powelly who believed in us.
“It’s nice to prove a few people wrong. We’ve got a great group of lads here who are here for the right reasons and to better themselves.”
Despite blazing a trail in the opening 16 games and scoring 54 goals in the process, Strong said his side would be remaining focused until the final whistle.
“I’m not one for looking at the league table and worrying about other teams - if we’re good enough at the end of the season then great, but if not then we’ll go on from there.
Rhyl tackle fourth placed Buckley Town this weekend, and Strong said his side were ready for the challenge having taken advantage of a three week break since their 1-1 draw with Guilsfield.
“In all honesty, we were struggling for the (eventually postponed) Flint game,” he said.
“We’ve had a number of players who have been playing for weeks with injuries so the break’s come at a great time for us. I’m sure that on the second they’ll be firing on all cylinders.”