Lillywhites Host Bluebirds In Alliance At Belle Vue

Rhyl FC play their final Huws Gray Alliance home fixture of the season when they entertain Caersws at Belle Vue (2.30pm).

The Lillywhites are fifth place in the table and director of football Mark Connolly firmly believes there is still a lot to play for.

Caernarfon remain in pole position to win the title after their 3-0 home win against second-placed Airbus last weekend.

For the remainder of the clubs the remaining weeks will be about maintaining form and seeking a top six finish which should ensure entry into the Nathaniel MG Cup.

“What we need to focus on over the last four games is being able to compete in that competition next season. It will provide a test to the squad and give the lads a taste of where this team should be playing week in, week out – at the highest level in Wales.”

Rhyl will earn a third successive win if they beat Caersws, while it could prove to be the final league appearance for James Brewerton.

Connolly and Brewerton played alongside each other for Rhyl before moving on and then returning to the Lillywhites.

“What can you say about Brewie,” says Connolly. “The lad will go down in Rhyl as a club legend and that status is fully deserved.

“It will be a bit emotional for Brewie being the last home game of his playing career and we will make sure it’s a good send off for him and his family.

“There are a few things planned for Brewie this weekend and we hope that all the Rhyl fans turn up in their numbers to see a legend take to the field one last time.

“I’d like to thank Brewie personally for everything he has done this season with me and over the years at the club and for giving me some great memories especially on European away days.”

Rhyl have a testimonial match for Brewerton on Saturday, May 5 when club legends will play Bangor City legends at Belle Vue.

This weekend’s visitors Caersws have been hit hard by postponements and still have 10 fixtures to play in five weeks.

The season has been a disappointment for the Bluebirds, who have earned only three wins in the League.

Holywell Town were return to League action against Caernarfon Town this afternoon at Halkyn Road (2.30pm).

But the game was postponed mid morning because of the weather conditions.

Wellmen manager John Haseldin had said: “I want our players to prove how good they can be and play without fear.

“Too many teams play down their chances and seem to be beaten before a ball is even kicked.

“Caernarfon are a quality team with a settled squad who are all playing for each other and we’ll need to be on our best to beat them. “Both teams like to get the ball down and play attacking football and I’ve challenged our players to raise their game for this one.

“We’ve got games in hand, but if we want to be up there challenging for the title, we need to be winning this type of game.”

The Wellmen currently sit 10 points behind the Cofis with two games in hand, but victory on Saturday would close the gap to seven points and put pressure on the leaders in their quest for the league title.

Porthmadog won their midweek match against Holyhead Hotspur 4-2.

Sion Bradley gave Porthmadog the lead after 24 minutes and Joe Chaplin doubled their advantage after seven minutes before the break.

Holyhead bounced back with a Jamie McDaid penalty, while a goal from Alex Boss made it 2-2 by half-time.

Bradley restored Port’s lead in the 72nd minute and sealed the points when he completed his hat-trick seven minutes later.

Huws Gray Alliance fixtures on Saturday (all 2.30pm): Airbus Broughton v Denbigh Town, Flint Town United v Holyhead Hotspur, Guilsfield v Porthmadog, Holywell Town v Caernarfon Town (postponed), Penrhyncoch v Queens Park, Rhyl v Caersws, Ruthin Town v Gresford Athletic.

HUWS GRAY ALLIANCE 2017/18 – all teams play 28 fixtures

Rank Teams Pd Won Drawn Lost For Against GD Pts
1 Caernarfon Town 22 15 6 1 79 25 54 51
2 Airbus Broughton 25 15 2 8 60 41 19 47
3 Guilsfield 23 12 7 4 43 30 13 43
4 Holywell Town 20 12 5 3 60 28 32 41
5 Rhyl 24 11 8 5 59 42 17 41
6 Denbigh Town 20 13 1 6 53 38 15 40
7 Porthmadog 20 10 3 7 57 39 18 33
8 Ruthin Town 21 9 4 8 45 35 10 31
9 Gresford Athletic 22 10 4 8 46 44 2 31
10 Holyhead Hotspur 23 8 3 12 35 45 -10 27
11 Flint Town United 22 7 3 12 36 36 0 24
12 Penrhyncoch 21 4 8 9 28 41 -13 20
13 Caersws 18 3 3 12 25 48 -23 12
14 FC Queens Park 20 1 2 17 17 84 -67 5
15 Llandudno Junction 21 0 3 18 21 88 -67 3

One thought on “Lillywhites Host Bluebirds In Alliance At Belle Vue

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *