MATCH REPORT: CPD Y RHYL 1879 1-2 LLANWRST UNITED

Photo credit: Clint Jones (The 94th Minute)

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 were knocked out of the second round of the FAW Amateur Trophy after a 2-1 home defeat to Llanrwst United.

A 5-1 win over St Asaph in the previous round had seen the Lilywhites convincingly progress to this stage but the third-tier side proved too much for them.

After going two goals down in the first half, a Chris Bennett strike just a minute after the interval had given them hope but their task was made harder by three second half dismissals.

In blazing Saturday afternoon sunshine, it was a frantic end-to-end opening to the game with Gareth Thomas’ side in their white and black not shying away from their more experienced opponents dressed all in red.

A seemingly good goal from Rhyl centre forward Lee Ellis, after a quarter of an hour, was chalked off for offside, after some great work down the right by Bennett.

On 23 minutes, Llanrwst took the lead via a Sam Jones penalty following a foul by Miles Todd.

Moments later, a well-hit shot from the edge of the area from captain Tom Ellis Jones doubled the Rwsters’ lead.

The hosts ended the first half 2-0 down but clawed themselves back into the game just after the break when Bennett’s low drive from 20 yards trickled through the hands of keeper Gwydion Owen.

They then almost levelled affairs just minutes later after a well-worked move culminated in Ellis poking a close-range effort inches wide of the post.

However, Rhyl were dealt two major blows soon after that when Todd was sent off and goalscorer Bennett was forced off with an arm injury.

Despite this, the Lilywhites kept pressing for an equaliser as Ellis came close with two efforts, one of which struck the base of the post.

Sadly, that was as good as it got for Gareth Thomas’ men and their miserable day was compounded by two further red cards, both somewhat controversial, for Elliot Evans and skipper Reece Fairhurst.

Rhyl will now turn their focus towards their next match, a Welsh Cup First Round tie against Rhydymwyn FC at Belle Vue on August 14.