RUTHIN TOWN 2

PENRHYNCOCH 0

A TOP-FIVE Huws Gray Alliance finish is not beyond the realms of possibility for Ruthin Town.

With Bangor City, currently in fifth spot, out of form, Chris Williams' charges are hot on their heels.

The gap between the sides is now down to five points and a positive conclusion to the season over the next four games could see Ruthin gain a terrific top-five finish.

Town had to demonstrate their battling qualities over the weekend at home against a Penrhyncoch side that is fighting relegation.

Neither team was able to deliver much in front of goal in the first half, while it was Ruthin who had most of the ball.

The first chance of note came when Llyr Morris and Ryan Jones combined well for the hosts.

Jones took a touch edge of the box, but his shot was well saved by Penrhyncoch’s keeper.

Town dealt with everything the visitors tried in the first half, with goalkeeper Ryan Goldston and the back four largely untroubled by Penrhyncoch’s attacking play.

Llyr Morris and Gwydion Ifan both had efforts from edge of the box in the closing stages of the half, with these going off target.

Straight from the start of the second half, Ruthin played with a higher tempo.

Full backs Matty Evans and Tom Roberts were seeing plenty of the ball and chances soon came.

From a Ilan Hughes corner and a flick-on by Ryan Jones, Evans had a chance at the far post, but his header went just wide of the post.

Ruthin eventually opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 54th minute.

Good play by Ifan set up Gwion Owen in the box and he was fouled from behind just as he was about to shoot.

Captain Ilan Hughes confidently converted the spot kick to make it 1-0.

Young substitute Charlie Williams had a good effort from edge of the box well saved as Ruthin continued to press, before Ryan Jones scored the second goal to kill the game off.

Rhys Rowlands supplied a defence splitting pass and Jones then rounded the keeper before finishing well from a tight angle.

In response, Penrhyncoch threw everything at Ruthin and it took a good Goldston save to keep the home side's clean sheet intact.

Late on, substitute Tom Williams had a lot of success down the left as Ruthin easily saw out the closing stages to record another fine win.