CPD Y Rhyl 1879 will likely finish their first season in the Ardal North West League in third place after losing their final game of the season 4-3 at home to Nantlle Vale on Saturday (April 22).

Rhyl found themselves a goal up in the first three minutes, though, after Chris Bennett sent a ball in from the right, which found Kieran Ellis in the penalty box.

He then managed to flick the ball over goalkeeper Osian Roberts and into the back of the net.

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But Vale would equalise on 24 minutes, after a well-worked move down the right saw them win a corner, which was taken by Jamie Jones and converted by a Richard Jones header.

Minutes later, though, Rhyl were back in front, when a bit of Macauley Taylor magic down the left opened up the Vale defence.

Passing two players with his speed, he cut inside and delivered a superb cross to Alex Jones, who calmly fired home from close range.

Just before the end of the half, the Lilywhites were awarded a penalty as Kieran Ellis was brought down by Vale keeper Roberts, who managed to stay out of the referee’s book for the incident.

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Roberts would make amends seconds later, though, as he guessed correctly and saved Alex Jones’ penalty.

Vale went straight on the attack and got their second equaliser, as Mathew Jones received the ball on the edge of the box, before slotting the ball through the crowded area and into the Rhyl goal.

After considerable pressure, the visitors went ahead for the first time on 74 minutes; a defensive mistake on the left saw Jamie Jones able to round Rhyl’s Luke Wilmot and put the ball away.

And 10 minutes later, they would net an almost carbon copy goal, when another mistake let Jones through on goal before bagging a brace.

Kieran Ellis would get his second and what would only be a consolation goal late into injury time for  Rhyl.

After the game, manager Gareth Thomas said: “The second half was just not good enough, and we didn’t turn up.

“Collectively, as a coaching staff, we need to look at that. We have got to look at the players we have here and who needs to go.”

The defeat saw Rhyl end the season on 59 points, and while currently in second place, with all the teams near them still having games to play, the likelihood is a third-place finish for the team.

Pre-season games will begin in July, with all details to be confirmed across the club’s social media channels in due course.