A FRIENDLY goal frenzy between Rhyl and Bala Town saw the Huws Gray Alliance side on the end of a 7-5 defeat.

The Lilywhites used their free week to gain some much-needed minutes against Colin Caton’s top flight side in an entertaining contest throughout, and they will look to strengthen their hopes of a top three finish this Friday when they entertain Gresford Athletic (7.30pm).

The home side broke the deadlock on 29 minutes when veteran striker Les Davies found the net, and they doubled their advantage on 36 when Jordan Evans latched on to a through ball and finished well.

Matthew Jones’ men responded well to the setback and reduced the arrears on 39 minutes when their first notable attack of the contest resulted in James Murphy’s long-range effort finding the top corner.

This joy proved to be short-lived as Davies notched his second of the evening on 41 minutes, but former Newtown man Murphy was on hand to bag his brace just before the break to close the gap once again.

After the interval saw Town pull further clear on 50 minutes when Stuart Jones struck from outside the box, but a Lilies trialist brought them back into it on 52 when he took advantage of some hesitant defending, and the same player was on hand soon after to level matters with an hour gone.

The Lakesiders managed to pull clear on 67 minutes when a Mike Hayes header was cleared off the line, but unfortunately bounced back off a defender for an own goal.

An impression was made by the Lilywhites’ trialist as he completed his hat-trick on 77 minutes, but Davies was not to be denied a treble of his own which arrived soon after.

The home side rounded off the scoring in the final minute courtesy of a sensational individual run from Josh Jones teed up Kieran Smith, who made the most of his opportunity in fine style.