RUTHIN TOWN 1

RHYL 2

A MISSED penalty cost Ruthin Town dear as they were edged out at home to Rhyl in their latest JD Cymru North encounter.

In difficult conditions, the Lilywhites bagged the three points at Memorial Park Fields by a slender 2-1 margin.

The blustery conditions made things difficult for both sides on a windy afternoon in Ruthin and with the game eight minutes old, the hosts were presented with a great opportunity to take the lead.

A good interplay of passes on the edge of the box saw Llyr Morris seek to go past the Rhyl defence and as the forward went through, contact appeared to have been made and the referee pointed to the spot.

In the usual scheme of things, Ilan Hughes would have stepped forward to take the penalty.

However, the Ruthin captain had signed for top flight Aberystwyth Town a few days earlier and Llyr Morris picked himself up to take the kick.

But his low effort to the keeper's right enabled Rory Crowther to make a crucial stop before the ball was then cleared.

With Tom Creamer playing in a more advanced role, alongside the width of Callum Roberts and Mason Blackwell Jones, the pace and movement of the Rhyl attack was creating problems for the home defence.

The breakthrough for the visitors came in the 20th minute.

Danny Sullivan was able to advance towards the goal and with the defence failing to close him down, he let fly from 25 yards out and his strong effort flew past Ruthin number one Ryan Goldston.

Ruthin also had a terrific chance at this stage.

From a Josh Jones corner, Garmon Hafal sent a free header wide of the target.

Weather conditions came into play for a key moment after 26 minutes. Goldston sought to clear the ball, but his clearance got caught in the wind and fell to Dave MacIntyre, who was able to advance towards the edge of the box.

With the ball bouncing high, MacIntyre’s upright attempted header was met by the high boot of Garmon Hafal and the referee was left with little option than to show the Town defender a red card.

MacIntyre was forced to leave the field as a consequence of the cuts around his eye, being replaced by young substitute Oliver Staveley.

Rhyl had a great chance to double the lead in the 31st minute when Callum Roberts was played through and as he advanced into the box he appeared to have been brought down by a Ruthin defender, but the referee waved play on.

The Lilywhites however did make it 2-0 after a further five minutes.

Tom Creamer pulled the ball back to Mason Blackwell Jones, who controlled before firing into the roof of the net.

Ruthin had the advantage of the fierce wind when the second half got underway.

Rhyl's midfield of Ben Burrows, Oliver Staveley and Danny Sullivan acted as a fierce barrier to the Ruthin, but a passage of play where the visitors had control of the game was potentially their undoing.

Danny Sullivan's 50/50 challenge after a loose pass saw him pick up a second yellow card after 51 minutes.

Overall, Ruthin's chances were restricted after this, with the best opportunity falling to new signing Josh Jones, whose shot went wide of the goal.

However, it was game on once again with 12 minutes left to play.

Tom Dyer’s free kick from 25 yards went over the wall and Crowther was unable to get to the effort as it hammered into the back of the net.

With Rhyl struggling to get out of their own half, Ruthin looked to pile on the pressure in the closing stages.

A shot was tipped against the bar by Rory Crowther and as the ball fell to sub Tomos Jones, Ben Nash was somehow able to clear the danger.