Rhyl make hard work of winning

Mar 23 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

SUCH was Rhyl’s dominance they could have reached almost double figures, but a late Caersws consolation had the Lilywhites hanging on for the points.

The home side should have scored in the 18th minute when Chris Sharp’s blocked shot fell to Lee Hunt eight yards out but he drove wide.

John Hulse’s men took the lead on 28 minutes when Craig Jones’ low cross from the right was missed by the marauding Hunt, but the ball went in off Caersws defender Jonathan Jones.

Greg Stones’ pinpoint pass presented Hunt with a golden opportunity in the 36th minute but the Lilies’ top scorer was again off target. Right on half-time Hunt’s goalbound effort from an acute angle was deflected behind for a corner.

Straight from the restart Hunt was denied by a great stop from Andy Mulliner, but on 50 minutes it became 2-0 when a brilliant run and cross from Michael White enabled Sharp to side-foot home from six yards.

Hunt’s shot on the turn was kept out by Mulliner, then White and Sharp fluffed golden openings as Rhyl turned up the heat.

Sharp made a poor connection with the goal at his mercy, but then three minutes from time Caersws were handed a lifeline with their first shot on target.

A woeful Chris Roberts clearance fell to substitute Sion Meredith, who drilled into an empty net.

Mark Griffiths went close to a leveller before Lilies substitute Marc Lloyd Williams’ lob almost made it 3-1 in the dying seconds.