BANGOR CITY 3 RHYL 1
RHYL take on Newtown at Belle Vue on Sunday anxious to atone for this defeat at arch rivals Bangor City.
Fielding two debutants in defenders Andy Owens and Philip Ojapah, as well as having new players in Andrew Pearson and Russell Courtney on the bench, the Lilywhites were very much second best at Farrar Road.
The hosts always looked the more threatening in the first half, Eddie Jebb lashing inches over before Sion Edwards went in with Rhyl’s Gareth Owen and the ball ballooned over keeper Jack Cudworth but fortunately for the visitors struck the post. In the 39th minute City went ahead when a quality cross by Jebb to the back post was headed in by former Lilywhite Craig Garside.
Moments later the visitors defence was exposed after a neat pass from midfield released Jamie Reed, who superbly chipped Cudworth.
Rhyl almost pulled one back three minutes after the break when Rob Turner headed against the crossbar from a Phil Doran corner.
Cudworth produced a fantastic stop from a Garside volley before at the other end Paul Smith grasped a Matthew Williams header from a Mark Connolly free-kick.
Bangor's deadline day signing from Rhyl Lee Hunt put in a firm header from a Chris Roberts delivery, but Cudworth did really well to tip over. The crucial third home goal arrived on 65 minutes when Hunt’s pass picked out Edwards in space and the Wales semi-pro international fired home with glee.
Rhyl pulled a goal back when Michael Johnston was adjudged to have clipped Shaun Dowling in the box and Matthew Williams notched his 14th goal of the season from the penalty spot.
To round off a day to forget for the visitors, Phil Doran was sent off for an over the top challenge on Roberts.
Kick off on Sunday is 2.30pm.