MARK Roberts’ rapid hat-trick saw CPD Y Rhyl 1879 secure their place in the second qualifying round of the FAW Welsh Cup with a 3-1 win against Llangollen Town at Belle Vue on August 19.

It was a game of two halves as the hosts started slowly and fell behind in the eighth minute thanks to Kristian Jones’ strike from outside the area.

But a change in personnel and approach to the game after the interval swung things back the way of Rhyl, and Roberts stole the headlines with three goals in as many minutes to seal a 3-1 victory.

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Veteran striker Roberts stole the show after Aaron White broke into the opposition area and pulled it back for the forward to lash home Rhyl’s equaliser.

Within a minute, he’d given his side the lead after receiving the ball in the area with his back to goal, turning and then finding the bottom corner with an accurate strike.

The 37-year-old then completed a remarkable three-minute hat-trick when James Cairns was slipped in down the right and played it across the goal for Roberts to tap into an empty net.

The win sees Rhyl continue their impressive start to the campaign, making it four wins out of five in competitive matches as well as booking their place in the FAW Welsh Cup first round.

The Lilywhites wait to find out who they will face on the weekend of September 16.

Meanwhile, next up in the league is a home match against Hawarden Rangers, who currently sit at the bottom of Ardal North West league without a point to their name.

The game will take place on Friday, September 1, with kick-off at 7pm.