CPD Y Rhyl 1879 have an eight-point lead at the top of the Ardal North West League after a 2-1 home win against Llanrwst United on Saturday (December 30).

The Lilywhites saw out the year in style at Belle Vue following victory against Flint Mountain in the FAW Amateur Trophy before Christmas.

It took only seconds for Rhyl to get on the scoresheet, after a wonderful bit of skill by Macauley Taylor out on the left saw him drop his shoulder and pinch a couple of yards.

As the goal opened up in front of him, he bent the ball around Llanrwst goalkeeper Gwydion Owen and into the net.

Despite Llanrwst’s positive play, the Lilywhites would double their lead 34 minutes in.

A Taylor-Mark Roberts one-two in front the goal saw Taylor free; he duly obliged and let rip a thunderbolt of an effort, which screamed past Owen and into top corner.

The visitors almost got a goal straight back seconds after Rhyl’s second. Conor Davies had picked up a loose ball just outside the box and managed to shoot towards goal, only to see his effort go millimetres past the far post.

The second half was a far more open affair, but the heavy rain was making it difficult for both teams to get a hold of the ball long enough to make a clear opportunity happen.

The visitors halved Rhyl’s lead midway through the second half after they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box.

Substitute Sion Roberts stepped up and curled the ball around the wall, and goalkeeper Ryan Woods could only get a fingertip to it in his efforts to keep it out.

Casey Faulkner received a second yellow card for Rhyl on 72 minutes, as he and Davies slipped going in for a tackle; this will see him miss next week’s trip to Nantlle Vale.

Thomas moved the team around to accommodate playing with ten men and saw fit to replace James Cairns for Meirion Pugh on 79 minutes.

But the Belle Vue crowed roared as the referee blew his whistle to end the game, a huge three points against a tough opponent playing the final 20 minutes with ten players.

The win takes Rhyl to 34 points from 13 league games played.

On Saturday (January 6), Rhyl travel to third-placed Nantlle Vale, with kick-off 2pm.

The club’s next home game will be on January 20, when they welcome Newport City in the FAW Amateur Trophy.