CPD Y Rhyl 1879 FC welcomed league leaders Llannefydd on Saturday (January 29) in a much-anticipated fixture that saw third take on first respectively in the NWCFA East Premier Division.

The game started as a cagey affair with limited chances for both teams, and it was the Lilywhites who carved out the one solitary effort of the first half.

Some great work by Macauley Taylor on the left saw him deliver an excellent cross to an unmarked Casey Faulkner who fired just over the bar, as the score remained goalless at the break after an evenly contested first half.

The game came to life in the second period, with Kieran Ellis and Taylor continuing to pile pressure on the Llannefydd backline, and visiting keeper Elias Jones needed to make a string of fine saves to deny the Lilywhites.

Most notably, an effort from Elliot Evans saw his left-footed low drive from distance saved well by Jones.

But with 70 minutes played, following a mix-up between Lilywhites club captain Reece Fairhurst and goalkeeper Ryan Roberts, Llannefydd’s Jared Roberts found the back of the net, making it 1-0 to the visitors.

With just five minutes to play, though, the ever-industrious Ellis pulled the game back to 1-1 with a fine bullet header following a Tom Cain corner.

This left the Lilywhites faithful jubilant and hopeful that hosts side would find the winning goal with just a handful of minutes left to play.

But Jones then made his save of the game following an athletic overhead kick by frontman Ellis that was destined for the top left-hand corner of the goal.

Jones managed to tip the ball over the bar diving at full stretch, and despite the 300+ crowd willing on the hosts, the game finished even at one apiece.

Rhyl 1879 manager Gareth Thomas said: “It was a poor performance and possibly the occasion got to some of the younger lads, but it might be a vital point for us in the title chase.

“A great turnout from the Lilywhites fans today, and I’m disappointed we couldn’t get the three points for them.”

Next up for Rhyl 1879 is a home game against league rivals Glan Conwy in the North Wales Coast FA Intermediate Challenge Cup quarter-final on Saturday, February 5, kicking off at 1.30pm.