North Wales Blogs - Lilywhites Online with Dave Jones

RHYL FC LATEST PEN PICTURES 2009/10

2009-11-08T16:10:46Z

JAMES COATES (Goalkeeper)
Born: Feb 22, 1985.
Capped by Wales at Under-17, 19 and 21 levels, despite his young age of 24 Coates has had a much-travelled career. As well as stints with Football League clubs Mansfield Town and Boston United, Coates' former teams include Worcester City, Moor Green, Hucknall Town, Leigh Genesis, Altrincham, TNS, Kidsgrove Athletic, Vauxhall Motors and Northwich Victoria, from where he joined Rhyl in August.

PAUL PRITCHARD (Goalkeeper)
Born: May 26, 1984.
Played for Anglesey clubs Holyhead Hotspur, Glantraeth, Llangefni Town and Llanfairpwll before joining Caernarfon Town in 2004/05. Became first choice keeper at The Oval prior to switching to Connah's Quay Nomads in 2007/08. A former Wales Under-18 international, he has represented Anglesey in the World Island Games and earned call up to the Wales semi-pro squad in 2008. Pritchard signed for Rhyl as cover for Lee Kendall in August 2008 but had a few first team run-outs last season, mainly in the League Cup, although he did play in WPL victories over Newtown and Neath Athletic. Came on for the last four minutes of the Champions League second leg tie in Partizan Belgrade in July 2009. With Kendall's departure in August, Pritch started this season as first-choice - making a crucial penalty save in the opening game against Carmarthen - but has since seen James Coates take over that role.

MARTYN NAYLOR (Defender)
Born: Aug 2, 1977.
After spells with Bilston, Greenock Morton, Telford, Shrewsbury Town and Hereford United he joined The New Saints in 2002/03. In six seasons with TNS he made 101 Welsh Premier starts, helping them win the title three seasons on the trot. Was released by Saints in April 2008 and spent a season with AFC Telford. Later joined New Bucks Head from where he signed for Rhyl in 2009. Versatile right-sided performer who strikes a mean cross and free-kick.

GREG STONES (Defender)
Born: May 4, 1982.
In his second spell with Rhyl having first joined the club in 2004. After winning the Welsh Cup with the Lilywhites in 2006 he went full-time with TNS. Left the Saints at end of 2006/07 for a trial with Crewe Alexandra, then signed for Stafford Rangers and Cammell Laird before returning to Belle Vue in January 2008. Under-rated performer who can play anywhere across the defence or in midfield.

GEORGE HORAN (Defender)
Born: Feb 18, 1982.
A mark of his consistency and high reputation is the fact he has been chosen in the Welsh Premier team of the season four years running. Horan made his name as a commanding central defender in five seasons at Connah's Quay before joining the Lilywhites in 2005/06. Captained Rhyl to the Welsh Premier championship last season and is approaching 300 WPL appearances.

GREG STRONG (Defender)
Born: Sep 5, 1975.
Unexpectedly appointed manager of Rhyl in the summer following his debut season at Belle Vue as a player where he was outstanding alongside Horan. Rhyl is the 17th club this much-travelled defender has played for in a distinguished career. He started out at Wigan Athletic (1992-95) before moving to Bolton Wanderers (1995-2000) where he made his Premiership debut. After loan moves to Blackpool and Stoke City, Strong signed for Scottish League club Motherwell for £150,000 in July 2000. Later had spells with Hull City, Cheltenham Town, Scunthorpe United, Bury, Boston United, Macclesfield Town, Livingston and Dundee before dropping into non-league with Halifax, Northwich and Droylsden, then switching to Rhyl in July 2008.

PHIL DORAN (Defender)
Born: Nov 30, 1988.
After impressing in stints at Caernarfon Town and Connah's Quay Nomads in the Welsh Premier, Greg Strong signed this powerful left-back from Witton Albion in August 2009. A former Blackpool youth player and Barrow trialist, Phil has a twin brother Peter, who currently plays for Welshpool. As well as defending solidly, Phil also likes to get forward, as he proved with his outstanding goal at Bala Town in a 4-0 victory on October 9.

SHAUN DOWLING (Defender)
Born: Sep 9, 1990.
After a two-year stint as a YTS trainee at Chester City ended this summer Shaun was snapped up by Rhyl FC. This 19-year-old defender can play anywhere across the back, also left or right midfield. He was previously a trainee at Liverpool for two years and also represented Knowsley Schoolboys, Merseyside Schoolboys and the Liverpool County FA. Shaun is a natural right footer but has a very good left and also boasts a secret weapon in his long throw-in. Has impressed in his appearances for Rhyl this term and was recently rewarded with a contract.

JOHN LEAH (Midfield)
Born: Aug 3, 1978.
Started career with Llansantffraid and Newtown before making seven Football League appearances for Darlington in 1998/99. Returned to Newtown and then enjoyed a very successful seven seasons with The New Saints, including captaining their double-winning side of 2004/05. Joined Rhyl this summer. Midfield playmaker, great work-rate who looks better in each game he plays.

GARETH OWEN (Midfield)
Born: October 21, 1971.
Was named Welsh Premier League player of the season for 2008/09 in Rhyl's title-winning campaign. Signed professional forms for Wrexham in 1990 and went on to make 350 appearances for the Robins, netting 36 goals. He left the Racecourse in 2001 to join Doncaster Rovers. Won eight Under-21 and one B cap for Wales and returned to his home town club Connah's Quay Nomads in the summer of 2003 after helping Rovers back into the Football League. Appointed player/manager of Airbus UK in the 2005 close season, but made a surprise move to Rhyl as a player in summer 2008 - and what a move it turned out to be!

MARK CONNOLLY (Utility)
Born: July 2, 1984.
Has remained one of Rhyl's most consistent performers since signing from Bangor City in 2005/06. His tremendous engine, superb crossing ability and lethalness from dead-ball situations make him the Lilies' very own answer to Steven Gerrard. Conno has also emerged as a goalscorer supreme this season, breaking a modern-day club record by scoring in eight consecutive competitive games.

PAUL SMITH (Midfield)
Born: Nov 17, 1991.
Energetic midfielder who looks set for a great future. Smith was in the Chester City youth development set-up, making his Football League debut as a 17-year-old substitute against Rochdale on 3 February 2009. Went on to make four further substitute appearances for the club during their relegation season from Football League Two and joined Rhyl in August 2009. Recently earned a contract at Belle Vue following some superb displays.

SAM HEENAN (Midfield)
Born: April 21, 1991.
Former Shrewsbury Town youth midfielder who joined Rhyl in September 2008. Born in Papua New Guinea, but is a New Zealand national. Began his career with Central United in New Zealand, but flew over here last year to initially join Shrewsbury, then was snapped up by the Lilywhites. Heenan made his first team debut in the Loosemores Cup win over Airbus UK Broughton on September 23, 2008, as a late substitute, but spent the majority of his first season at Belle Vue with the reserves.

TYRONE KIRK (Midfield)
Born: Jan 2, 1986.
His electric pace down the flanks has made him an instant hit with Rhyl fans - making the same sort of impact Luke Holden had when he arrived at the club. Kirk is a former Manchester City and Scunthorpe United trainee who was a national award winner in the Nike Freestyle Soccer tournament in 2003. After a spell with Boston United he spent season 2008/9 at Stamford AFC of the Unibond First Division where he was named player of the year. He moved to Macclesfield Town, making his debut in a Carling Cup tie against Leicester City, but was allowed to leave the Moss Rose in August 2009 and join Rhyl on-loan. Lilywhites supporters don't want to give him back!

MATTHEW WILLIAMS (Striker)
Born: Nov 5, 1982.
After missing the first few weeks of last season through injury, Williams soon established himself as a fans favourite at Belle Vue through his wholehearted performances up front. He notched 14 goals in total during the campaign and was the only Rhyl player to register a hat-trick (in a 7-1 win over Technogroup Welshpool). Wales Under-21 international Williams began his football career as a schoolboy at Manchester United where he was a regular in the reserves and also played in the youth team alongside the likes of Darren Fletcher and Kieran Richardson. After spending six years at Old Trafford, Denbigh-based Matthew joined Notts County in 2004 where he made 26 appearances, but did not have the best of luck with injuries. Spells at Tamworth and Burton Albion followed, going close to helping Nigel Clough's side reach the Football League, before he joined Rhyl last summer. Has started the current campaign in good goalscoring form.

LEE HUNT (Striker)
Born: June 5, 1981.
Made a surprise return to Belle Vue in the summer after a move to Blue Square Premier League club Barrow failed to work out. Hunt was previously at Rhyl between December 2003 and May 2008 and in between won a host of trophies under the John Hulse regime. A big hit with the fans, Hunt netted plenty of goals for the Lilies but side-by-side ran disciplinary problems which led to the player quitting Welsh football, claiming he was being targeted unfairly by WPL referees. Now he is back and has Andy Moran's club record 99 Welsh Premier goals in his sights.

CHRIS WILLIAMS (Forward)
Born: February 2, 1985.
Like Kirk, this pacy winger has made an instant impact at Rhyl. Williams started his career at Stockport County in 2001. He featured just under 50 times in all competitions for County before his exit in 2006. While with the club he had brief loan spells at Grimsby Town in 2004 and Northwich Victoria in 2006. After his release from County, Williams signed a permanent deal with Northwich, but in August 2006 he suffered a broken leg, which kept him on the sidelines until February 2007. Williams struggled to perform and make an impact on the first team and in December he was released by the club. He spent the rest of the 2007-2008 season with Bradford Park Avenue before joining Stalybridge in the summer. In February 2009, he was transferred to Fleetwood Town and moved to Rhyl in August.

DAVE CAMERON (Striker)
Born: August 24, 1975.
Began career in Scotland with East Stirling and St Mirren, where he made 11 first team appearances, before signing for Brighton in July 1999 and making 17 starts. Later joined Worthing, then Lincoln City, where he played from 2000-02 and featured in 60 games, and Chester City before switching to Droylsden. Arrived at Rhyl in the summer of 2006 and went on to make 26 Welsh Premier appearances for the club (plus 12 as sub) notching 12 goals. Took over as manager of Bradford Park Avenue in March 2007, but returned to Belle Vue last season as a member of the management team. Still makes occasional first team outings.

STALEMATE AT BELLE VUE - BUT HOW?

2009-11-07T18:00:57Z

RHYL 0
LLANELLI 0
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - NOVEMBER 7, 2009
ALTHOUGH Rhyl returned to the top of the Welsh Premier today on goal difference they should have enjoyed a landslide victory over Llanelli - but missed chances cost them dear.
The Lilywhites could easily have been 3-0 up inside the opening 10 minutes as they pushed the visitors firmly onto the back foot.
In the first minute Mark Connolly found space on the left-hand side of the box but Llanelli keeper Ashley Morris went down to deny him and Matthew Williams' follow-up effort was blocked.
Connolly was then through one-on-one with Morris who thwarted him again and Williams lashed the loose ball against the underside of the crossbar.
Llanelli showed what they are capable of, though, when the profilic Rhys Griffiths' header from an Andy Legg cross clipped the bar.
James Coates then did well to keep out a firm strike from Antonio Corbisiero, but Rhyl were doing most of the attacking and Chris Williams blasted just over after leaving a trail of defenders in his wake.
Chris Williams forced Morris into a decent stop with a left-foot attempt and just before the break Connolly's header from a Gareth Owen free-kick narrowly missed the target.
The home side continued to carve out most of the opportunities after the interval, Owen drilling wide from 18 yards before Connolly nodded over from Tyrone Kirk's centre.
Owen and Martyn Naylor crashed long range thunderbolts over, but in the last 15 minutes the Reds at last began to show some adventure.
Owain Warlow's low shot tested Coates and from the rebound Griffiths steered the ball across the six-yard box but the Lilies managed to clear.
Griffiths then stormed in to meet Craig Moses' right wing cross only for Rhyl skipper George Horan to make a fantastic last-gasp clearance.
Legg's resulting corner clipped the bar, but the closing stages saw the Lilywhites go all-out for the winner.
Rhyl were unfortunate not to win a penalty for handball against Legg, Kirk volleyed wide from a great position and was foiled by a great Morris save, then the home side's day was summed up when Connolly's header from a Williams cross hit the post.
So, there was no repeat of last season's 5-1 scoreline although there could easily have been had Rhyl taken their chances.
Certainly the Lilywhites produced the better football and apart from the finishing put in a good display.
There were a few murmurings around the ground as to why substitute Lee Hunt was not tried out in the closing stages, but Greg Strong has not got much wrong so far and surely there is a big win in this Rhyl side just around the corner.

RHYL: Coates, Naylor, Stones, Horan (c), Strong, Leah, C Williams, Connolly, M Williams, Owen, Kirk. Unused subs: Hunt, Dowling, Doran, Pritchard.

MATCH FACTS
GOALS - Rhyl 0 Llanelli 0
ATTEMPTS - Rhyl 17 Llanelli 7
ON TARGET - Rhyl 8 Llanelli 4
CORNERS - Rhyl 10 Llanelli 6
YELLOW CARDS - Rhyl 2 Llanelli 1
RED CARDS - Rhyl 0 Llanelli 0
ATTENDANCE - 587
LO MAN OF THE MATCH
Chris Williams (Rhyl)
The far more effective of the two wingers on the day - the only thing missing was the end product.

RHYL FC RESULTS 2009/10
Aug 15 - Carmarthen Town (WPL - home) 2-1 (Strong, M Williams)
Aug 21 - Airbus UK Broughton (WPL - away) 2-2 (Hunt 2)
Aug 25 - Airbus UK Broughton (LC - a) 2-1 (Hunt, Owen)
Aug 29 - Port Talbot (WPL - h) 2-0 (M Williams, Hunt)
Sep 1 - Prestatyn Town (LC - h) 2-1 (Naylor, Connolly)
Sep 5 - Gap Connah's Quay (WPL - a) 2-0 (M Williams, Connolly)
Sep 11 - Bangor City (WPL - h) 5-1 (Hunt 2, M Williams pen, C Williams, Connolly)
Sep 19 - Newtown (WPL - a) 4-2 (M Williams 2, Strong, Connolly)
Sep 22 - Airbus (LC - h) 4-0 (Connolly 2, Kirk, Doran)
Sep 26 - Porthmadog (WPL - h) 4-0 (Connolly 3, Kirk)
Oct 3 - Llanfairpwll (WC-a) 3-1 (Connolly 2, Smith)
Oct 6 - Prestatyn Town (LC-a) 3-0 (Connolly, Hunt, C Williams)
Oct 9 - Bala Town (WPL-a) 4-0 (Smith, Doran, Horan, Hunt)
Oct 17 - Neath (WPL-a) 0-2
Oct 23 - Elements Cefn Druids (WPL-a) 1-1 (M Williams)
Oct 27 - Porthmadog (LCQF-a) 4-1 (Connolly 2, M Williams 2)
Oct 31 - Bridgend Town (WC-h) 4-2 (Connolly, M Williams, Strong, C Williams)
Nov 7 - Llanelli (WPL-h) 0-0

GOALS: 15 - Mark Connolly; 10 - Matthew Williams; 8 - Lee Hunt; 3 - Greg Strong, Chris Williams; 2 - Tyrone Kirk, Paul Smith, Phil Doran; 1 - Gareth Owen, Martyn Naylor, George Horan.

MANAGER CALLS FOR A ROUSING TURNOUT

2009-11-07T12:36:03Z

RHYL player-manager Greg Strong is urging the fans to turn out in force for today's crunch clash with Llanelli at Belle Vue (2.30pm).
Although the Lilywhites boast the Welsh Premier's top average home attendance this term, crowds are down 24% on last season's all-time high.
"Having a big crowd really does make a difference," said Strong. "If the fans can really get behind the lads I'm sure it will help us get the right result."
In the corresponding fixture last season, 937 were at Belle Vue to see Rhyl thrash then reigning champions Llanelli 5-1 in what was one of the Lilies' finest ever Welsh Premier performances.
A similar turnout today would be just what the doctor ordered as far as Strong is concerned.
Current title-holders Rhyl need to win today to depose Neath, who went top of the table last night with a 2-1 win at Haverfordwest.
The Lilywhites player-boss was highly critical earlier in the week of his team's display in struggling to beat Bridgend Town 4-2 in the Welsh Cup last Saturday, but his mood had calmed by yesterday.
"I've got a top class bunch of lads with a great attitude," he said. "I do get frustrated at times, maybe that's because I'm new to management, but we've set ourselves high standards and I get disappointed when we don't maintain them.
"I believe in this group of players and on our day we can beat whoever comes to our ground; we'll be going all out for the three points against Llanelli."
Although they did the double over the South Wales Reds last season, Rhyl had failed to win in their previous 10 meetings with the Stebonheath Park outfit.
"I've only been involved since last season, but from what I've been told we've always had close, tough games against Llanelli and I'm sure Saturday will be no exception," Strong added.
"They've got a group of very experienced players and they'll be keen to wipe out the memories of last season's result here."
In overall WPL matches between today's combatants, Llanelli lead by nine wins to seven with six draws.
RHYL v LLANELLI - HEAD-TO-HEAD
2008/09 - Rhyl 5 Llanelli 1; Llanelli 0 Rhyl 1
2007/08 - Rhyl 1 Llanelli 2; Llanelli 2 Rhyl 1
2006/07 - Rhyl 2 Llanelli 2, Llanelli 6 Rhyl 0.
2005/06 - Llanelli 1 Rhyl 1, Rhyl 0 Llanelli 1.
2004/05 - Llanelli 2 Rhyl 1, Rhyl 2 Llanelli 0.
2002/03 - Llanelli 0 Rhyl 3, Rhyl 2 Llanelli 0.
2001/02 - Rhyl 1 Llanelli 1, Llanelli 0 Rhyl 3.
2000/01 - Rhyl 7 Llanelli 0, Llanelli 3 Rhyl 1.
1999/00 - Rhyl 1 Llanelli 3, Llanelli 7 Rhyl 0.
1995/96 - Llanelli 2 Rhyl 2, Rhyl 1 Llanelli 1.
1994/95 - Rhyl 2 Llanelli 2, Llanelli 5 Rhyl 2.
WINS: RHYL 7 LLANELLI 9 DRAWN 6

STRONG VOWS CHANGES

2009-11-04T19:02:33Z

RHYL manager Greg Strong has warned his regulars their places are under threat for Saturday's top of the table clash with Llanelli following a poor display of finishing in the weekend Welsh Cup tie against Bridgend.
Strong pulled no punches after his team needed two goals in the last 10 minutes to see off 10-man opponents from a league below.
"Places are up for grabs for Llanelli, there'll be changes," said an angry Strong after Saturday's 4-2 victory.
"We ended up struggling to win a game we should have put to bed by half time.
"This isn't a one-off for us. For a team like us that creates so many chances to miss so many is wrong - things need to get better.
"We won't get anywhere near the same amount of chances against Llanelli so we need to be more ruthless. This is the most annoyed I've felt since I became manager."
Despite the manager's disdain it was a good day for Rhyl overall for as well as qualifying for the next round they landed a home tie against Welsh League strugglers Pontardawe in the last 16 on January 30.

GOOD HOME DRAW FOR RHYL

2009-10-31T22:31:13Z

RHYL have been blessed with a home draw against Welsh League Division One strugglers Pontardawe Town in the fourth round of the Welsh Cup on January 30.
The South Wales club are in the same division as Bridgend Town, who the Lilywhites made hard work of beating 4-2 today, but in a lower position.
Swansea area side Pont defeated Llandudno 2-0 in this afternoon's third round and were impressive 3-0 winners at Goytre United at the previous stage.
FOURTH ROUND DRAW
Aberystwyth Town v Port Talbot
Afan Lido v Gap Connah's Quay
Bala Town v Caersws
Bangor City v Aberaman
Llandudno Junction v The New Saints
Llanelli v Holyhead Hotspur
Rhyl v Pontardawe Town
Prestatyn Town v Porthmadog

LILYWHITES MAKE HARD WORK OF IT

2009-10-31T18:18:15Z

RHYL 4 (Connolly 17; M Williams 56; Strong 83; C Williams 90+3)
BRIDGEND TOWN 2 (Palladoni 47 pen; Wattleworth 60)
WELSH CUP ROUND THREE
WHAT looked like being a stroll in the park at half time for Rhyl ended up a real struggle as they needed two goals in the last 10 minutes to see off plucky 10-man Bridgend.
The match could not have started worse for the Welsh League underdogs as after just 15 seconds Atif Bashir was red carded when as the last defender he fouled Matthew Williams when the striker had a clear run on goal.
The resulting free-kick was fiercely struck by Martyn Naylor but Town hero Neil Collins produced a great reaction stop.
Rhyl were relentless and Mark Connolly was foiled by a fine Collins save before the in-form midfielder headed in his 15th goal of the season from a Chris Williams corner after 17 minutes.
Collins refused to be beaten again before the break, performing marvels to deny Naylor, John Leah, Connolly and Greg Stones, while a Matthew Williams screamer missed by inches and player boss Greg Strong fluffed a close range sitter.
The home fans were expecting a deluge from the Welsh Premier champions after the break, but they had a rude awakening two minutes following the restart when Stones brought down the pacy Mike Hartley in the area and Gianluca Palladoni coolly converted the resultant penalty.
Rhyl rallied and Leigh Pratt cleared off the line from Phil Doran, then substitute Gareth Owen drilled just wide seconds after coming on before in the 56th minute a great run down the right and byeline cross from Tyrone Kirk set up Matthew Williams to make it 2-1.
Owen's fabulous swerving volley was headed off the line by Palladoni before a rapid Bridgend counter attack saw Vinnie Wattleworth show tremendous pace to outdo Naylor and apply a great finish on the hour to level the tie.
The home team turned up the pressure again, Matthew Williams having a goalbound lob cleared before rattling the post with a right foot thunderbolt.
Pratt was yet again on the line to thwart Chris Williams, but on 78 minutes Bridgend could have taken a dramatic lead when Raith Plant left Stones standing and was one-on-one with keeper James Coates who saved well with his legs.
Another Pratt goal-line clearance frustrated the Lilies again before finally in the 83rd minute Strong's bullet header from a Naylor corner made it 3-2.
Matthew Williams flicked against the woodwork in injury time before setting up Chris Williams to notch Rhyl's fourth. It should have been an easy finish for Williams but he made hard work of it - firing straight at the keeper but the ball fortunately went in.
The general feeling from the Bridgend camp after the game was they were hard done to, but in all honesty they should have been dead and buried by half time.
The match stats tell the story - Rhyl had 37 goal attempts with 21 on target, including five cleared off the line and two hitting the woodwork, while Bridgend managed just eight efforts on goal.
However, it is only goals that count and that is why the visitors were able to stay in the tie and why Rhyl should not feel too good about themselves for failing to kill them off.

RHYL: Coates, Naylor, Doran, Stones, Strong, Leah, C Williams, Connolly, M Williams, Smith (Owen 54), Kirk. Unused subs: Horan, Heenan, Dowling, Pritchard.

MATCH FACTS
GOALS - Rhyl 4 Bridgend 2
ATTEMPTS - Rhyl 37 Bridgend 8
ON TARGET - Rhyl 21 Bridgend 3
CORNERS - Rhyl 13 Bridgend 2
YELLOW CARDS - Rhyl 1 Bridgend 3
RED CARDS - Rhyl 0 Bridgend 1
ATTENDANCE - 302
LO MAN OF THE MATCH
John Leah (Rhyl)
Never wasted a pass

GOALS: 15 - Mark Connolly; 10 - Matthew Williams; 8 - Lee Hunt; 3 - Greg Strong, Chris Williams; 2 - Tyrone Kirk, Paul Smith, Phil Doran; 1 - Gareth Owen, Martyn Naylor, George Horan.

RECORD (all competitions):
PLAYED: 17 WON: 14 DRAWN: 2 LOST: 1 GOALS SCORED: 48 GOALS CONCEDED: 15

STRONG HAS FAMILY DOUBLE IN SIGHTS

2009-10-31T00:04:04Z

RHYL v BRIDGEND TOWN
WELSH CUP ROUND THREE
SATURDAY 2pm
RHYL player manager Greg Strong has a very special reason for wanting to win the Welsh Cup this season.
Strong would love to emulate the achievement of his great great grandfather Rufus Jones, who lifted the famous cup back in the 1880s with the then dominant Druids FC.
"My uncle's still got the medal," said Strong, who leads his Lilywhites side out against Bridgend Town in today's third round tussle at Belle Vue (2pm). "I'd love to win it again so we could have two winners' medals in the family."
Rhyl will start strong favourites to see off a Bridgend outfit currently lying 12th in the Macwhirter Welsh League Division One.
The South Wales club reached the semi-finals last season before going out to eventual winners Bangor City and boast in their ranks several players with Welsh Premier experience, including Atif Bashir, Brian Showdery, Hayden Fleming, Craig Lima and Mike Waters.
The Lilies are present leaders of the Welsh Premier and after two blips against Neath and Elements Cefn Druids returned to form in midweek by winning 4-1 at Porthmadog in the Loosemores Cup to set up a two-legged semi-final with Gap Connah's Quay.
"After the first couple of goals went in the confidence came flowing back and we started to play the way we've played all season," added Strong.
"It's great to have Connah's Quay in the semis as it will mean less travelling which really helps when you are a part-time club and have players struggling to make games in midweek. It will be a tough game as Connah's Quay have already proved they can make life difficult for us this season."
Looking ahead to the Bridgend test, Strong said: "We always try to treat every game the same, otherwise you can end up having your backsides kicked.
"It happens every year that smaller teams beat bigger teams and we know Bridgend will be up for it, but if we play to our capabilities we should be fine."
Strong hopes to have a full squad to choose from with no injuries to report from midweek.

SATURDAY'S OPPONENTS - BRIDGEND TOWN

2009-10-29T19:21:14Z

BRIDGEND Town currently lie 12th out of 18 clubs in MacWhirter Welsh League Division One - the next level below Rhyl.
The South Wales club made it all the way to the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup last season, losing only 2-1 to eventual trophy winners Bangor City - and to a very late goal.
Managed by Drewe Phillips, Bridgend have a number of ex-Welsh Premier League players in their squad, including Pakistan international Atif Bashir, formerly with Haverfordwest County, ex-Neath defender Brian Showdery and Hayden Fleming, who was with Cardiff as a youngster and made 123 WPL appearances, featuring for Aberystwyth, Port Talbot and Carmarthen.
Assistant manager Craig Lima, 37, is a Wales semi-pro international who has turned out for Merthyr and Newport as well as UWIC, Ebbw Vale, Carmarthen and Port Talbot in the WPL.
Recent signing, midfielder Mike Waters, has worn the colours of Port Talbot, Neath and Aberystwyth, Mike Hartley has also returned to Bridgend this season after a spell with Haverfordwest and Dale Raven is a wide midfielder who Rhyl fans may remember playing for Cwmbran and Newtown.
Bridgend have been making good strides in this season's Welsh Cup, knocking out Ton Pentre, Rhyl's conquerors in 2006/07, 2-0 in the previous round.
Town were only denied victory over league leaders Goytre last weekend by a 95th minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

This is the Bridgend Town current squad:

GOALKEEPER
Neil Collins

DEFENDERS
Geraint Frowen
Atif Bashir
Brian Showdery
Craig Lima
Keeron Stone
Lloyd Evans
Ian Turner

MIDFIELD
Hayden Fleming
Harrison Kingston
Mike Waters
Anthony Waters
Grant Thomas
Gianluca Palladoni
Jon Phillips
Dale Raven
Mike Hartley
Gregg Coombes
Leigh Pratt

STRIKERS
Jamal Roberts
Rameer Outlaw
Raith Plant
Vinnie Wattleworth

BRIEF HISTORY
Bridgend Town were originally formed in the early 1920's playing in the Welsh section of the Southern League. Despite finishing 6th, 14th and 4th, the team disbanded.
The club re-emerged in the 1960's playing in the Welsh League. In the 1976/1977 season Bridgend reached the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup, losing to Cardiff City.
The following season Bridgend rejoined the Southern League and were promoted to the Southern Premier Division. In 1979/1980, Bridgend were crowned overall champions of the Southern League, having won the Midland Division of the Southern League, beating Dorchester Town 5-1 in the Championship play-off.
Bridgend returned to the Welsh pyramid in 1983, where they finished runner-up in the National Division twice. After being relegated to the Welsh League First Division and subsequently the Second Division, the club were eventually promoted back to the First Division in 2002/2003, where they have remained since.
Bridgend Town vacated Coychurch Road in 2006 - their home for many years - to make way for associated works related to a new supermarket. They finished up with a comprehensive 7-0 win in their last ever fixture at the ground.
Bridgend Town have recently announced a ground breaking deal where by the club now shares the Brewery Field in Bridgend with the Celtic Crusaders (Rugby League) and Bridgend Ravens (Rugby Union).

PLACE IN THE LAST 16 UP FOR GRABS

2009-10-29T01:46:16Z

RHYL will meet Bridgend Town for the first time ever in the Welsh Cup this Saturday.
The Lilywhites, who have won the prestigious trophy on four occasions (1952, 1953, 2004 and 2006), will be strong favourites to make the last 16 at the expense of the Welsh League Division One outfit.

RHYL FC'S COMPLETE WELSH CUP RECORD 1878/79 - PRESENT DAY
(wins include walkovers but not byes and results incorporate Rhyl Town, Rhyl United and Rhyl Athletic. Games after which the club was expelled from the competition count as losses)
PLAYED: 326
WON: 170
DRAWN: 48
LOST: 108

1878/79
R1 - Friars School Bangor 1 Rhyl 0.
1879/80
R1 - 23rd RWF (won on walkover); R2 - Rhyl 1 Aberystwyth 1 (replay 0-0; 2nd replay 0-3).
1881/82
R1 - Wrexham Athletic 4 Rhyl 1.
1882/83
R1 - Rhyl v Corwen (won w/o); R2 - Rhyl 3 Hartford 2; R3 - bye; R4 (quarter-final) - Wrexham 5 Rhyl 2.
1883/84
R1 - Northwich Victoria v Rhyl (won w/o); R2 - Hartford 2 Rhyl 3, R3; Rhyl 3 Davenham 1; R4 - bye; Semi-final - Druids 4 Rhyl 1.
1884/85
R1 - Rhyl 1 Bangor 1 (replay: Rhyl 0 Bangor 0; 2nd replay - Rhyl 1 Bangor 2).
1885/86
R1 - Rhyl 1 Bangor 4.
1886/87
R1 - Llandudno Gloddaeth 8 Rhyl 0.
1889/90
R1 - Rhyl 4 Bangor 6.
1890/91
R1 - Caernarvon 3 Rhyl 4; R2 - St Asaph v Rhyl (won w/o); R3 - Rhyl 2 Mold 2 (replay - Rhyl 2 Mold 3 aet).
1896/97
R1 - Rhyl Athletic 3 Caernarvon Ironopolis 2; Rhyl Athletic 2 Holywell 2 (Rhyl withdrew).
1897/98
R1 - Rhyl Town - bye; R2 - Rhyl Town 4 Bangor 1; R3 - Caernarvon Ironopolis 1 Rhyl Town 3; Quarter-finals- Wrexham 2 Rhyl Town 1.
1898/99
R1 - Rhyl United 3 Llandudno Swifts 2; R2 - Rhyl United 2 Flint 0; R3 - Bangor 1 Rhyl United 1 (Rhyl disqualified - ineligible player).
1899/1900
R1 - Rhyl United - bye; R2 - Rhyl United - bye; R3 - Rhyl United 2 Aberdare 1; Oswestry United 1 Rhyl United 1 (Rhyl dismissed - ineligible player).
1900/01
R3 - Rhyl United 3 Rogerstone 1; R4 - Llandrindod Wells 2 Rhyl 3; Semi-finals - Oswestry United 1 Rhyl 1 (replay - Oswestry 1 Rhyl 0).
1901/02
R3 - Rhyl 7 Llandrindod Wells 0 (abandoned 58 mins - result stood); Quarter-finals - Rhyl 2 Wellington Town 3.
1902/03
R2 - Rhyl Athletic 0 Rhyl United 14; R3 - Caernarvon Ironopolis 2 Rhyl United 3; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 1 Druids 4.
1903/04
R3 - Bangor 6 Rhyl 1.
1904/05
R3 - Rhyl 3 Colwyn Bay 1; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 1 Bangor 0; Semi-finals - Rhyl 1 Aberdare 3.
1905/06
R4 - Rhyl v Chester (won w/o); Quarter-finals - Wellington Town 3 Rhyl 2.
1906/07
R2 - bye; R3 - Rhyl 2 Tranmere Rovers 0; Quarter-finals - Whitchurch 2 Rhyl 0.
1907/08
R1 - Nantwich 2 Rhyl 0.
1908/09
R1 - Rhyl v Denbigh Town (won w/o); R2 - Rhyl 2 Bangor 1; R3 - Rhyl 1 Connah's Quay & Shotton 2.
1909/10
R1 - Rhyl 3 Conway 0; R2 - Rhyl 2 Caernarvon United 1; R3 - Rhyl 2 Chester 6.
1910/11
R1 - Rhyl 0 Llandudno Amateurs 1.
1911/12
R1 - Chester 9 Rhyl 0.
1912/13
Preliminary round - Rhyl 1 Connah's Quay & Shotton 1 (replay - Rhyl lost 2-0).
1913/14
R1 - Connah's Quay 4 Rhyl 2.
1919/20
Preliminary round - Rhyl 5 Denbigh 1; R1 - Conwy 1 Rhyl 1 (replay - Rhyl 7 Conwy 0); R2 - Bangor Railway Institute 3 Rhyl 0.
1920/21
Second preliminary round - Pentre 1 Rhyl 4; R1 - Rhyl 6 Holywell 4; R2 - Rhyl 2 Holyhead Railway Institute 0; R3 - Rhyl 1 Wrexham 6.
1921/22
Second prelim round - Rhyl 4 Holyhead 1; Third prelim round - Bangor 3 Rhyl 1.
1922/23
Third round - Rhyl 1 Holyhead 1 (replay - Holyhead 0 Rhyl 1); R4 - Rhyl 3 Oak Alyn R 1; R5 - Rhos 1 Rhyl 2; R6 - Colwyn Bay 1 Rhyl 1 (replay - Rhyl 1 Colwyn Bay 0); Quarter-finals - Merthyr Tydfil 0 Rhyl 0 (replay - Rhyl 1 Merthyr 0); Semi-finals - Aberdare 1 Rhyl 1 (replay - Aberdare 1 Rhyl 0).
1923/24
R4 - Rhyl 1 Bangor 2.
1924/25
R3 - Rhyl 4 Denbigh Town 1; R4 - Rhyl 0 Shrewsbury 2.
1925/26
R3 - Rhyl 3 Oswestry Town 3 (replay - Rhyl won 3-2); R4 - Rhyl 5 Denbigh 2; R5 - Rhyl 4 Bangor 1; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 1 Rhos 0; Semi-finals - Rhyl 1 Swansea Town 3.
1926/27
R5 - Mold Town 1 Rhyl 3; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 1 Caernarvon Ath 1 (replay - Rhyl won 3-2); Semi-finals - Rhyl 5 Holywell 1; Final - Cardiff City 2 Rhyl 0.
1927/28
R5 - Rhyl 1 Caernarvon Athletic 0; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 3 Newport County 1; Semi-finals - Cardiff City 2 Rhyl 2 (replay - Cardiff 2 Rhyl 0).
1928/29
R5 - Wrexham 2 Rhyl 4; Quarter-finals - Bangor City 0 Rhyl 0 (replay - Rhyl won 4-1); Semi-finals - Rhyl 1 Cardiff City 2.
1929/30
R5 - Flint Town 0 Rhyl 3; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 4 Caernarvon Athletic 0; Semi-finals - Rhyl 3 Colwyn Bay 1; Final - Rhyl 0 Cardiff City 0 (replay - Cardiff 4 Rhyl 2).
1930/31
R5 - Rhyl 2 Colwyn Bay 2 (replay - Colwyn Bay 1 Rhyl 0).
1931/32
R4 - Llanerch Celts 2 Rhyl 11; R5 - Rhyl 5 Llanidloes Town 0; Quarter-finals - Lovell's Athletic 2 Rhyl 2 (replay - Rhyl won 3-0); Semi-finals - Wrexham 3 Rhyl 3 (replay - Wrexham 3 Rhyl 1).
1932/33
R7 - Rhyl 1 Southport 2.
1933/34
R3 - Rhyl 6 Llanerch Celts 3; R4 - Rhyl 5 Flint 0; R5 - Rhyl 4 Colwyn Bay 0; R6 - Rhyl 1 Port Vale 1 (replay - Port Vale 2 Rhyl 0).
1934/35
R4 - Rhyl 1 Mold Alexandra 1 (replay - Rhyl won 2-1); R5 - Flint 0 Rhyl 0 (replay - Flint 2 Rhyl 0).
1935/36
R3 - Rhyl 5 Colwyn Bay 1; R4 - Rhyl 5 Macclesfield 1; R6 - Wrexham 1 Rhyl 1 (replay - Rhyl won 2-1); Quarter-finals - Rhyl 2 Cardiff City 1; Semi-finals - Rhyl 0 Chester 3.
1936/37
R6 - Wrexham 1 Rhyl 2; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 3 New Brighton 0; Semi-finals - Rhyl 3 Newport County 2; Final - Crewe Alexandra 1 Rhyl 1 (replay - Crewe 3 Rhyl 1).
1937/38
R6 - Llanidloes Town 1 Rhyl 1 (replay - Rhyl won 1-0); Quarter-finals - Rhyl 3 Southport 2; Semi-finals - Swansea Town 7 Rhyl 2.
1938/39
R5 - Rhyl 3 Shotton Athletic 0; R6 - Chester 4 Rhyl 0.
1939/40
R4 - Rhyl 1 New Brighton 4.
1946-47
R5 - South Liverpool 2 Rhyl 0.
1947/48
R5 - Rhyl 11 Caernarvon Town 0 (record Welsh Cup win); R6 - Rhyl 2 Wrexham 4 (aet).
1948/49
R4 - Rhyl 6 Chirk AAA 1; R5 - Bangor City 0 Rhyl 2; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 1 Wrexham 0; Semi-finals - Swansea Town 3 Rhyl 0.
1949/50
R5 - Rhyl 0 Wrexham 2.
1950/51
R4 - South Liverpool 0 Rhyl 3; R5 - Chester 2 Rhyl 1.
1951/52
R4 - Rhyl 2 Pwllheli & District 2 (replay 3-3 aet; second replay - Rhyl won 2-0); R5 - Caernarvon Town 0 Rhyl 4; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 3 Newport County 2; Semi-finals - Barry Town 1 Rhyl 1 (Rhyl won replay 1-0); Final - Rhyl 4 Merthyr Tydfil 3.
1952/53
R5 - Rhyl 4 Colwyn Bay 0; Quarter-finals - Swansea Town 2 Rhyl 3; Semi-finals - Rhyl 1 Cardiff City 0; Final - Rhyl 2 Chester 1.
1953/54
R5 - Pwllheli & District 0 Rhyl 1; R6 - Flint Town United 2 Rhyl 0.
1954/55
R4 - Rhyl 2 Chirk AAA 1; R5 - Pwllheli & District 5 Rhyl 0.
1955/56
R4 - Rhyl 5 Bangor City 2; R5 - Rhyl 0 Chester 2.
1956/57
R4 - Bangor City 0 Rhyl 3 (protest - Rhyl dismissed).
1957/58
R4 - Rhyl 3 Holyhead Town 2; R5 - Rhyl 2 Bangor City 0; Quarter-finals - Caernarvon Town 4 Rhyl 2.
1958/59
R4 - Rhyl 2 Chirk AAA 2 (replay - Rhyl won 7-2 aet); R5 - Chester 1 Rhyl 4; Quarter-finals - Cardiff City 3 Rhyl 1.
1959/60
R4 - Rhyl 0 Colwyn Bay 1.
1960/61
R4 - Rhyl 0 Pwllheli & District 1.
1961/62
R4 - Portmadoc 1 Rhyl 0.
1962/63
R4 - Rhyl 1 Borough United 4.
1963/64
R4 - Denbigh Town 3 Rhyl 9; R5 - Rhyl 2 Holyhead Town 1; Quarter-finals - Bangor City 8 Rhyl 1.
1964/65
R4 - Pwllheli & District 5 Rhyl 0.
1965/66
R4 - Rhyl 3 Colwyn Bay 2; R5 - Portmadoc 2 Rhyl 0.
1966/67
R4 - Rhyl 4 Holyhead Town 1; R5 - Wrexham 5 Rhyl 0.
1967/68
R4 - Rhyl 5 Nantlle Vale 1; R5 - Pwllheli & District 0 Rhyl 3; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 2 Hereford United 2 (replay Hereford 4 Rhyl 1).
1968/69
R4 - Brymbo Steelworks 2 Rhyl 2 (replay - Rhyl won 2-1); R5 - Rhyl 0 Chester 3.
1969/70
R4 - Pwllheli & District 2 Rhyl 0.
1970/71
R4 - Rhyl 0 Gresford Athletic 0 (first replay - 2-2; second replay - Rhyl 3 Gresford 0); R5 - Chester 1 Rhyl 1 (replay - Rhyl 0 Chester 2).
1971/72
R4 - Llay Welfare 0 Rhyl 7; R5 - Blaenau Ffestiniog 0 Rhyl 1; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 2 Chester 1; Semi-finals - Rhyl 1 Cardiff City 2.
1972/73
R4 - Rhyl 2 Bangor City 2 (replay - Bangor 2 Rhyl 0).
1973/74
R1 - Pwllheli & District 2 Rhyl 1.
1974/75
R1 - Blaenau Ffestiniog 1 Rhyl 6; R2 - Nantlle Vale 1 Rhyl 1 (replay - Rhyl 3 Nantlle Vale 1); R3 - Rhyl 8 Newtown 1; R4 - Rhyl 0 Wrexham 2.
1975/76
R2 - Chirk AAA 2 Rhyl 6; R3 - Bethesda Athletic 2 Rhyl 2 (replay - Rhyl 5 Bethesda Athletic 1); R4 - Rhyl 0 Porthmadog 2.
1976/77
R2 - Rhos United 0 Rhyl 2; R3 - Rhyl 0 Bangor City 1.
1977/78
R2 - Rhyl 0 Conwy United 0 (Rhyl lost 7-6 on pens).
1978/79
R2 - Gresford Athletic 1 Rhyl 2; R3 - Denbigh Town 0 Rhyl 2; R4 - Shrewsbury Town 6 Rhyl 0.
1979/80
R2 - Rhyl 2 Colwyn Bay 3.
1980/81
R2 - Rhyl 0 Brymbo Steelworks 1.
1981/82
R2 - Rhyl 0 Colwyn Bay 1.
1982/83
R2 - Bala Town 1 Rhyl 6; R3 - Rhyl 1 Shrewsbury Town 1 (replay - Shrewsbury 3 Rhyl 0).
1983/84
R2 - Rhyl 2 Knighton Town 0; R3 - Llanidloes Town 0 Rhyl 0 (replay - Rhyl won 3-0); R4 - Wrexham 1 Rhyl 1 (replay - Rhyl 1 Wrexham 3).
1984/85
R2 - Kidderminster Harriers 0 Rhyl 1; R3 - Llanidloes Town 0 Rhyl 2; R4 - Rhyl 2 Caernarfon Town 1; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 1 Shrewsbury Town 7.
1985/86
R2 - Grapes Moss 0 Rhyl 5; R3 - Rhyl 1 BSC Shotton 2.
1986/87
R2 - Newtown 1 Rhyl 3; R3 - Rhyl 1 Holywell Town 0; R4 - Rhyl 2 Haverfordwest County 2 (replay - Rhyl won 1-0); Quarter-finals - Bangor City 2 Rhyl 1.
1987/88
R2 - Rhyl 4 Holywell Town 0; R3 - Brymbo Steelworks 2 Rhyl 1.
1988/89
R2 - Flint Town United 2 Rhyl 2 (replay - Rhyl won 2-1); R3 - Rhyl 2 Caersws 2 (replay - Caersws 1 Rhyl 0).
1989/90
R2 - Pilkingtons St Asaph 1 Rhyl 3; R3 - Chirk AAA 1 Rhyl 6; R4 - Rhyl 3 Llanelli 0; Quarter-finals - Wrexham 1 Rhyl 1 (replay - Wrexham 2 Rhyl 0).
1990/91
R1 - Rhyl 9 Holywell Town 0; R2 - Rhyl 2 Mostyn 0; R3 - Colwyn Bay 3 Rhyl 1.
1991/92
R1 - Llanrwst United 1 Rhyl 2; R2 - Mostyn 2 Rhyl 1.
1992/93
R1 - Rhyl 3 Pilkingtons 0; R2 - Rhyl 6 Y Felinheli 0; R3 - Rhyl 3 Gresford Athletic 1; R4 - Haverfordwest County 0 Rhyl 2; Quarter-finals - Llansantffraid 0 Rhyl 4; Semi-finals - Rhyl 2 Connah's Quay Nomads 0, Connah's Quay Nomads 1 Rhyl 0 (Rhyl won 2-1 on aggregate); Final - Cardiff City 5 Rhyl 0.
1993/94
R3 - Cefn Druids 0 Rhyl 5; Rhyl 1 Swansea City 1 (replay - Swansea 3 Rhyl 0).
1994/95
R2 - Rhyl 3 Llanfairpwll 0; R3 - Rhyl 3 Cemaes Bay 0; R4 - Swansea City 5 Rhyl 1.
1995/96
R2 - Penparcau 0 Rhyl 2; R3 - Rhyl 1 Inter Cardiff 0 (Rhyl disqualified for fielding ineligible player).
1996/97
R2 - Rhyl 0 Connah's Quay Nomads 1.
1997/98
R2 - Newtown 2 Rhyl 0.
1998/99
R2 - Rhyl 5 Denbigh Town 4; R3 - Rhyl 2 Flint Town United 2 (replay 1-1 aet - Flint won 5-4 on pens).
1999/2000
R2 - Oswestry Town 0 Rhyl 1; R3 - Rhyl 1 Guilsfield 0; R4 - Llanelli 3 Rhyl 0.
2000/01
R2 - Rhyl 2 Flexsys Cefn Druids 1 (aet); R3 - Newtown 2 Rhyl 1.
2001/02
R2 - Rhyl 1 Bangor City 2.
2002/03
R2 - Rhyl 5 Holyhead Hotspur 0; R3 - Rhyl 2 Penrhyncoch 1; R4 - UWIC Inter Cardiff 0 Rhyl 1; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 1 Connah's Quay Nomads 0; Semi-finals - Barry Town 1 Rhyl 0.
2003/04
R2 - Rhyl 2 Airbus UK 0; R3 - Llanfairpwll 1 Rhyl 4; R4 - AFC Llwydcoed 0 Rhyl 2; Quarter-finals - Afan Lido 1 Rhyl 2; Semi-finals - Cwmbran Town 2 Rhyl 4; Final - Rhyl 1 TNS 0.
2004/05
R2 - Llandudno 1 Rhyl 3; R3 - Rhyl 9 Holyhead Hotspur 0; R4 - Rhyl 4 Llangefni Town 0; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 4 Bala Town 0; Semi-finals - Rhyl 1 TNS 3.
2005/06
R2 - Rhyl 4 Sealand Rovers 0; R3 - Glantraeth 2 Rhyl 5; R4 - NEWI Cefn Druids 3 Rhyl 5; Quarter-finals - Rhyl 5 Goytre United 2; Semi-finals - Rhyl 2 Port Talbot Town 2 (Rhyl won 5-4 on pens); Final - Rhyl 2 Bangor City 0.
2006/07
R2 - Llanfairpwll 0 Rhyl 6; R3 - Ton Pentre 1 Rhyl 0.
2007/08
R2 - Rhyl 10 Montgomery Town 0; R3 - Rhyl 1 Port Talbot Town 0; R4 - Haverfordwest 1 Rhyl 2; QF - Rhyl 3 GAP Queens Park 2; SF - Llanelli 5 Rhyl 2.
2008/09
R2 - Rhyl 8 Castell Alun Colts 0; R3 - Rhyl 4 Haverfordwest County 0; R4 - Bangor City 1 Rhyl 1 (Bangor won on pens)
2009/10
R2 - Llanfairpwll 1 Rhyl 3.

LILYWHITES ARE A MAJOR BOGEY SIDE FOR QUAY

2009-10-29T01:02:14Z

IF Gap Connah's Quay are to prevent Rhyl reaching the Loosemores Cup final next month they will need to end a run of 18 matches without a win over the Lilywhites.
Prior to 2003/04, the Nomads were a big bogey side for Rhyl but the tables have turned completely in recent years.
The Lilies have won their last 13 matches in all competitions against the Deesiders and 16 of the last 18 with two draws.
In the Welsh Premier League overall, though, Quay still lead by 14 wins to 13 with four matches drawn.

RHYL v CONNAH'S QUAY - LAST 18 MEETINGS
2009/10
(WPL) Quay 0 Rhyl 2
2008/09
(WPL) Rhyl 2 Quay 0; (WPL) Quay 2 Rhyl 3
2007/08
(WPL) Quay 0 Rhyl 5; (WPL) Rhyl 1 Quay 0; (LC) Rhyl 6 Quay 1; (LC) Quay 1 Rhyl 2
2006/07
(WPL) Quay 0 Rhyl 2; (WPL) Rhyl 2 Quay 1; (LC) Rhyl 2 Quay 0
2005/06
(WPL) Rhyl 2 Quay 1; (WPL) Quay 0 Rhyl 1
2004/05
(WPL) Rhyl 4 Quay 2; (WPL) Quay 1 Rhyl 1.
2003/04
(WPL) Quay 0 Rhyl 2; (WPL) Rhyl 1 Quay 1; (PC) Quay 1 Rhyl 3; Rhyl 2 Quay 1.

RHYL DRAW QUAY IN THE SEMIS

2009-10-29T00:52:08Z

RHYL have drawn Gap Connah's Quay in the semi-finals of the Loosemores League Cup.
The first leg will be at Deeside Stadium on November 10 with the return at Belle Vue on November 17.
In the other last four clash holders The New Saints will do battle with Port Talbot.
Rhyl and Quay have met seven times in the League Cup and the Lilywhites lead by four wins to three.
League Cup history:
2007/08 - Rhyl 6 Quay 1; Quay 1 Rhyl 2.
2006/07 - Rhyl 2 Quay 0 (quarter-finals)
2000/01 - Rhyl 1 Quay 2; Quay 2 Rhyl 4
1995/96 - Rhyl 1 Quay 2; Quay 5 Rhyl 4

RHYL COAST INTO SEMI-FINALS

2009-10-27T22:05:15Z

PORTHMADOG 1 (D Williams 81)
RHYL 4 (Connolly 16, 64; M Williams 51, 86)
LOOSEMORES CUP QUARTER-FINALS
TWO goals apiece from Mark Connolly and Matthew Williams ensured Rhyl coasted into the Loosemores Cup semi-finals at the expense of Porthmadog at a rain-soaked Traeth tonight.
The Lilywhites took a 16th minute lead when home keeper Richard Morgan failed to grasp a Chris Williams corner and Connolly converted at the far post.
Greg Strong's side were in total control, only a fine stop by Morgan denying the impressive Paul Smith from a powerful free-kick.
Six minutes after the restart Rhyl put one foot in the last four when Matthew Williams scored direct from a free-kick just outside the box.
And when Connolly knocked in his 14th goal of the season from a Paul Smith cross just past the hour the contest was well and truly over.
Connolly missed two great chances to complete a hat-trick and Tyrone Kirk and Smith also went near before Porthmadog grabbed a consolation through midfielder Dylan Williams.
Rhyl had the last word, though, when on 87 minutes Matthew Williams notched his ninth goal of the campaign from a Chris Williams flag-kick.
The visitors could afford to rest regular central defensive pairing George Horan and Strong, with Shaun Dowling in particular doing a fantastic job filling in, while striker Lee Hunt also did not figure.
RHYL: Pritchard, Naylor, Stones, Dowling, Doran, Kirk, Leah, Smith (Tom Williams 75), C Williams, Connolly, M Williams. Unused subs: Horan, Strong, Evans, Coates.
In tonight's other quarter-final ties, Bala Town were left shellshocked after two injury time goals earned Gap Connah's Quay a dramatic 3-2 victory at Maes Tegid.
Ross Jefferies put the Lakesiders in front on 15 minutes before Alan Glover levelled for the Deesiders on the half hour.
When Marc Griffiths netted in the 87th minute it looked like Town were into the semis, but then Michael Hayes (91) and Sam McNutt (93) pounced to send the Quay through.
The New Saints proved too strong for Llanelli in the clash of the round, winning 4-1 at Park Hall, while Port Talbot overcame Technogroup Welshpool 3-1.

GOALS: 14 - Mark Connolly; 9 - Matthew Williams; 8 - Lee Hunt; 2 - Tyrone Kirk, Greg Strong, Chris Williams, Paul Smith, Phil Doran; 1 - Gareth Owen, Martyn Naylor, George Horan.
RECORD (all competitions):
PLAYED: 16 WON: 13 DRAWN: 2 LOST: 1 GOALS SCORED: 44 GOALS CONCEDED: 13

SEMI-FINAL SPOT UP FOR GRABS

2009-10-27T02:45:09Z

PORTHMADOG v RHYL
LOOSEMORES LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINAL
TUESDAY 7.30pm
RHYL will aim to put two below par league performances behind them when they travel to the Traeth tonight bidding to reach the League Cup semi-finals.
The opposition is Porthmadog, bottom of the Welsh Premier and without a win, but a team which has been showing good form in the cups.
Rhyl were awesome in their group matches leading to qualification for the last eight, boasting a 100% record with wins over Prestatyn Town (2-1; 3-0) and Airbus UK Broughton (2-1; 4-0).
Player-boss Greg Strong, who has no injury problems, has taken last Friday's 1-1 result at lowly Elements Cefn Druids on the chin.
The draw followed a first league defeat of the season at Neath, but the Lilywhites' boss said: "We probably should have taken more points than we have from the last two league games, but I'm still confident we'll be okay.
"We treat every game and every competition with exactly the same respect and we go out looking to win every time.
"So it's simply a case of dusting ourselves down and sending the lads back out."

BETTER POSITION - WORSE RECORD

2009-10-24T22:50:35Z

COMPARED to the same stage last season, Rhyl are in a better position this term after 10 games, but have less points.
In 2008/09, after their 10th match the Lilywhites were in second place, two points behind Llanelli but with a game in hand.
Today the roles are reversed - Rhyl are top and three points ahead of Llanelli, who are third but have played one match less.
Here is a look at the respective seasons:

2008/09 - FIRST 10 GAMES
Aug 16, 2008 - Newtown (h-lge) 3-0 (Stones, N Roberts, Reed)
Aug 23, 2008 - Caernarfon Town (a-lge) 1-0 (Horan)
Aug 30, 2008 - Llanelli (h-lge) 5-1 (Strong, Reed, N Roberts 2, Johnson)
Sep 05, 2008 - Porthmadog (a-lge) 3-0 (Reed, N Roberts, Jones)
Sep 13, 2008 - Haverfordwest County (h-lge) 2-0 (Reed 2)
Sep 21, 2008 - Neath Athletic (a-lge) 2-2 (Reed, Stones)
Sep 27, 2008 - Aberystwyth Town (h-lge) 0-0
Oct 10, 2008 - Connah's Quay Nomads (h-lge) 2-0 (Horan, O'Neill)
Oct 18, 2008 - Carmarthen Town (h-lge) 3-0 (G Owen, N Roberts 2)
Nov 8, 2008 - Caersws (h-lge) 3-1 (Wilson, Williams og, Johnson)
PLAYED 10; WON 8 DRAWN 2 LOST 0 GOALS FOR 24 GOALS AGAINST 4

2009/10 FIRST 10 GAMES
Aug 15 - Carmarthen Town (WPL - home) 2-1 (Strong, M Williams)
Aug 21 - Airbus UK Broughton (WPL - away) 2-2 (Hunt 2)
Aug 29 - Port Talbot (WPL - h) 2-0 (M Williams, Hunt)
Sep 5 - Gap Connah's Quay (WPL - a) 2-0 (M Williams, Connolly)
Sep 11 - Bangor City (WPL - h) 5-1 (Hunt 2, M Williams pen, C Williams, Connolly)
Sep 19 - Newtown (WPL - a) 4-2 (M Williams 2, Strong, Connolly)
Sep 26 - Porthmadog (WPL - h) 4-0 (Connolly 3, Kirk)
Oct 9 - Bala Town (WPL-a) 4-0 (Smith, Doran, Horan, Hunt)
Oct 17 - Neath (WPL-a) 0-2
Oct 23 - Elements Cefn Druids (WPL-a) 1-1 (M Williams)
PLAYED: 10; WON 7 DRAWN 2 LOST 1 GOALS FOR 26 GOALS AGAINST 9

2008/09 TOP TWO
1 Llanelli P 11 Pts 28
2 Rhyl P 10 Pts 26

2009/10 TOP THREE
1 Rhyl P 10 Pts 23 (+17)
2 Neath P 10 Pts 21 (+8)
3 Llanelli P 9 Pts 20 (+16)

COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE

2009-10-24T22:38:30Z

RHYL ended what started out as a disappointing weekend still top of the Welsh Premier League.
Llanelli's chances of taking over at the summit today were scuppered when their home game with Caersws was called off due to an unfit pitch.
Neath then failed to join the Lilywhites on 23 points when they blew a two-goal lead at The New Saints and were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.