SATURDAY (March 19) saw CPD Y Rhyl 1879 make the short trip to Mochdre looking to continue a run of form that has seen them unbeaten in the North Wales Coast FA (NWCFA) East League Premier Division in their last 15 outings.

Gareth Thomas’ squad was depleted by late withdrawals, with no less than four squad members missing the game due to COVID-19.

The away team started on the front foot, controlling much of the play in the first half, helped by the wind, but with no clear-cut opportunities, both teams went in at the break with the score at 0-0.

It was a freak goal that broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Mochdre goalkeeper Nick Bould cleared the ball from his own penalty area, only for the ball to be caught by the wind and loop over the head of visiting keeper Ryan Roberts making the score 1-0 to the hosts.

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Just 15 minutes later, the score was level following some great work by the in-form Macauley Taylor on the right-hand side.

Taylor delivered a pinpoint cross to number nine Kieran Ellis, who made no mistake with a bullet header to make it one apiece after 60 minutes.

A further 25 minutes passed following long periods of pressure from the visiting team, and it was Ellis who found the net again, bundling the ball over the line from close range.

This led to mass celebrations with the travelling Lilywhites contingent behind the goal.

The game finishing 2-1, Rhyl taking all three points, making it 16 games unbeaten in the league.

Thomas added: “Not the best performance but we got the three points we came for.”

“They (travelling fans) were brilliant today but in the last 20 minutes, noisy as hell and dragged the lads over the line today.”

The Lilywhites have moved up to second in the table, only four points behind league leaders Prestatyn Sports with four games in hand.

The team are back on the road again next weekend as they travel to Meliden in the NWCFA East League Premier Division on March 26, kicking off at 2.30pm.