Rhyl’s survival hopes were left in tatters on Good Friday after they were thumped 4-0 by relegation rivals Aberystwyth Town.
The result ensures safety for Aberystwyth as it condemns the Lillywhites to an 11th-place finish.
Aberystwyth’s disappointing campaign saw a first ever relegation from the Dafabet Welsh Premier League become a real possibility, but they are now unbeaten in three since the appointment of Wayne Jones as first-team manager.
Having successfully steered the Green and Blacks to safety, Jones, along with new assistant Tony Pennock, can go into the final weekend of the season without the burden off the drop hanging over their squad.
Rhyl’s relegation is now out of their hands and rests on whether Barry Town finish in the top-two of Welsh League Division One.
The Lilywhites went into the game knowing that needed to avoid defeat to have any hope of survival, but they found themselves on the back foot midway through the first-half when Luke Borrelli drove in from the left flank to fire home.
Geoff Kellaway momentarily appeared to have added to Aberystwyth’s lead but the assistant referee deemed otherwise, flagging for offside.
The decision to introduce forward John Owen proved to be an inspired choice by Aber’s new-look management duo of Wayne Jones and Tony Pennock. The ex-Rhyl forward took just five minutes to breach the Rhyl defence to score against his former club.
Worse would quickly follow for Rhyl when it took a minute for their unstable defence to be carved open again. This time Borrelli was the benefactor as Aberystwyth pulled ahead into a three-goal lead that put them within touching distance of safety.
Rhyl’s misery was compounded on 83 minutes as the hosts put the result beyond any possible doubt.
Luke Borrelli did well to spread play finding Kellaway on the opposite flank, who drove towards the byline before delivering a low cross for Owen to stroke into the net.
Rhyl can only be replaced in the top-flight by Barry Town, who have already been granted an FAW Domestic Licence.
BARRY TOWN
Barry maintained their push for promotion on Saturday as they bounced back from last weekend’s surprise defeat to Goytre United with an 11-0 drubbing of Risca United.
The result leaves the former Welsh Premier champions within touching distance of returning to the top-flight.
Top-scorer TJ Nagi and former Port Talbot winger Drew Fahiya each claimed a hat-trick, with Jordan Cotterall (twice), Luke Cooper, Lee Baldock and Tyrell Webbe all getting onto the scoresheet against bottom of the table Risca.
Barry sit top of the Welsh League, five points clear of closest challengers Goytre AFC.
A victory on Tuesday night against Goytre United at Jenner Park would finally seal their long-awaited promotion.
Rhyl would then in-turn berelegated into the North-Mid Wales feeder league, the Huws Gray Alliance,.
To compensate Barry’s promotion out of the Welsh League, it would also mean only two teams would be relegated from Division One this season.
Featured image courtesy of Aberystwyth Town/Welsh Premier League.