CPD Y Rhyl 1879 returned to league action on a glorious Saturday (March 26) as the team secured an emphatic 4-0 at Meliden in the North Wales Coast Football Association East League Premier Division.
With the league adamant the fixture should be played despite reports of COVID-19 within the Meliden camp, the home side named 16 players across their line-up and bench.
Rhyl were on top in the early stages of the game, taking just eight minutes to capitalise on their pressure, as the league’s leading scorer, Carl Lamb rose above the home defence to force a great header past the line into the bottom right corner.
Then, just four minutes later, Lamb doubled his goal tally for the day from the penalty spot, following a poor challenge on hard-working forward Kieran Ellis in the penalty area.
Lamb neatly dispatched the penalty into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0 to Rhyl with 12 minutes played.
The visitors continued to heap pressure on the Meliden defence and just five minutes before the break, no-nonsense defender Miles Todd put his stamp on the game with a delightful looping header to ensure they went in 3-0 up at half-time.
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Manager Gareth Thomas began to ring the changes after the break, ensuring game time for all of the players on the bench.
With 20 minutes of the second half played, up stepped club captain Reece Fairhurst, who sent a half-volley into the bottom right corner from another set piece to make it 4-0.
This win ensured the Lilywhites remain unbeaten in the league with 17 games played.
Thomas added: “Excellent performance today from the lads: a local derby, which is always a potential issue, but I thought we dominated the game and managed the game and conditions superbly.
“It is another game ticked off, and another three points with some excellent performances.
“Jordan Worthington was outstanding and it was good to get minutes into Zac Taylor Holland, too.
“Unfortunately, we have lost Dan Lloyd who has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
“We will play away to Conwy on Tuesday in a friendly for the lads needing minutes and to keep them ticking over.”
After their away friendly at Conwy on March 29 (8pm kick-off), the Lilywhites’ next match is in the North Wales Intermediate Challenge Cup semi-final, away to Penmaenmawr Phoenix on Saturday (April 2, 1.30pm kick-off).
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