By Robert Stock
April 12 2009

Dubbed the 'half a million pound' game, yesterday's live match on S4C failed to live up to it's billing. Rhyl are unlikely to mind though after returning north with all 3 points and, seemingly, the title in the bag.

While a tense, nervous game could well have been expected and indeed appreciated with so much at stake, I personally found it extremely surprising at just how little the hosts looked to take the game to their opponents. If the league positions had been reversed you could have understood Llanelli's conservative approach, yet it was Rhyl who appeared to want the 3 points most.

Even Andy Legg's mammoth throws failed to cause any problems to a resolute Lilywhites defence, while one had to feel sorry for Rhys Griffiths who was played out of the game largely due to his own team's lack of service or support.

Undoubtedly the pitch, which only a few minutes into the first half looked more like the Somme, took it's toll on the standard of football, as the ball spent the majority of the time in the air, often leaving the S4C cameramen unable to keep up with play.

Neil Robert's winning goal was typical of the match, a header scrambled over the line from one of the game's many set pieces. Few could argue that Rhyl deserved the win and the inevitable title that will follow, with the part-timers once again leaving their professional rivals in 2nd and 3rd places respectively.

Unfortunately the quality of the game is unlikely to have enticed any passing armchair supporters out of their livings room and through the Welsh Premier turnstiles. Thankfully, the match at least benefited from an atmosphere and credit should go to both sets of supporters for at least keeping us frustrated viewers awake!

Dour Title Clash Fails to Excite

Discussion started by www.welsh-premier.co.uk , 12/04/2009 12:00

www.welsh-premier.co.uk
12/04/2009 12:00

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Cool Blue
12/04/2009 12:31

34 games to be knocked out att he first hurdle in Europe again lol

Far better to play 6 and win the Welsh Cup

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Robert Stock
12/04/2009 12:41

Of course the 500k from getting knocked out in the champs league 2nd qualifying round is unlikely to compensate

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Red Turk
12/04/2009 12:41

Agreed, we were rubbish and the better team won and deservedly so. I hope Rhyl go on to win, they have been that far better teams this season!

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Red Turk
12/04/2009 12:43

In essence, the £500k is for winning the league.. we only had £10k for winning it last year... that's awful!

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Robert Stock
12/04/2009 12:47

Rhys Griffiths still impressed me, despite his complete lack of service. His touch is first class, and if only you had a pacy striker to play alongside him you'd be a real force to be reckoned with.

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rhyl super fan
12/04/2009 14:46

It's been said on the Rhyl Message Board and on Llanelli's by Rhyl fans - the Llanelli fans are a credit to the Club & themselves - there's some hope for this League yet ( did I really say that!) - if other clubs' fans can match their enthusiasm. Let's hope their support continues to grow as it has in recent years.
This was a very important match, yet, the large Rhyl following were made extremely welcome ( not the case everywhere!) and both sets of fans shared friendship and rivalry.
Brilliant - just like a proper league!

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Belle Vue Boy
12/04/2009 19:24

Cheers Turk

We def shaded it and to be fair you did rely on the long stuff quite a bit and we got embroiled in that in the second half

Fans from both sides were marvellous tho. thats how it should be

I felt like I had played in the game afterwards, never been so tense at a match!!

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ioio
12/04/2009 20:43

Some good movement first half after which we deserved to be more than one up. Second half was indeed dire though, and I agree that today's Cup SF was much better viewing material.

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Whyl Wob
14/04/2009 10:13

yeah, what a friendly club. absolute credit to this cr@p league. spoke to andy legg after the game and he said he enjoys the banter with rhyl fans and i told him how much repsect we have for him.

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Red Turk
14/04/2009 14:03

Robert - I though Rhys' attributes had been much better in previous gfames and on Saturday (IMO) this was his worsed performance of hte season!!! For a player that used to run Rhyl ragged, they certainly made him look very quiet! There wasn't anything I could moan about from Rhyl, they were just better and that saddens me that we didn't compete - toooo many long balls, in hte past and run up to this match,, we had been amazing with passing the ball, but this does show that hte quality we've come up against were less of a team and Rhyl just knew how to cope this that - this does show that we need to play Rhyl 4 times a season and not 2 if we want better competative football!

BVB - I had to walk out of there at 70mins, it was aweful, we had no answeres and we've not played 352 this year yet swap for you - STUPID! lol. Long time no speak too!!!

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turkontour
14/04/2009 15:29

Yes, I to was disappointed with the Reds display, but credit to Rhyl, they wanted it more and deserved their win. Again you can't argue with Rhyl's away record - undefeated on the road this season.

Fans from both sides were absolutey terrific. An advert for the Welsh League if ever I saw it.

The A Block Massive Barmy Army Band is building up very nicely at the mo. Feel fre to join us anyone !!!

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Red Turk
14/04/2009 16:56

TurkOT - Nice advert!

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Belle Vue Boy
14/04/2009 20:25

Yes it wasnt good on the eye mate but we ground it out
i felt i had played in the game by the end it was so tense lol

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Red Turk
15/04/2009 19:14

Know exactly what you mmean... you go through it all. Plus we were next to Alan B, B B'staff (lol) and I/ we had a good banter, he was full of prise of the fans - on first opinion I thought he was a c*** - but I've changed my mind, must have been the pressure at Airbus! lol...

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Cymro1951
16/04/2009 09:14

Heb os Rhyl ydy'r tim gorau o bell ffordd eleni. Fel cefnogwr Druids dw' i'n gobeithio bod Rhyl yn ennill y pencampwraeth cyn dod i Blaskynaston eleni. Mae Clwb Peldroed Y Rhyl wedi datblygu yn gall dros y 6 / 7 mlynedd diwethaf.

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