CPD Y Rhyl 1879 went four points clear at the top of the Ardal Northwest division with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Llay Welfare on the weekend.

The Lilywhites looked to maintain their lead in the league as they welcomed Llay to the Belle Vue, and were further boosted by the recent acquisition of goalkeeper Ryan Woods from Caernarfon Town.

Rhyl started the first half on the front foot, and following some great work by the ever-industrious Alex Jones, James Cairns slotted the ball home in just the third minute.

The visitors then manged to take a foothold in the middle stages of the half, threatening in the final third on numerous occasions but unable to find the leveller.

The second half began in similar fashion with no clear-cut opportunities for either, with a flurry of opportunities for the visitors to secure the equaliser after a period of domination with 20 minutes left.

Lilywhites keeper Sam Thomas was in fine form, making two saves within a minute, the first effort bound for the bottom left corner, the keeper making a fantastic stop.

Thomas was then back in the thick of the action moments later, making a great save with his feet to deny the visitors.

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With 85 minutes played, substitute Macauley Taylor latched on to a long ball, and was brought down in the box by Llay captain Max Peate.

Experienced forward Mark Roberts stepped up to take the penalty, neatly slotting home to secure the victory for the hosts.

Manager Gareth Thomas said: “It was a hard fought three points, great start to the game scoring after just a couple of minutes and a deserved three points in the end.”

Next up for the Lilywhites is the trip to Llangefni, a 2:30pm kick off on Saturday, 21 October.

CPD Y Rhyl 1879

Samuel Thomas (GK); Miles Todd; Casey Faulkner; James Jones; Reece Fairhurst (C); Daniel Sim; Sam Ashton; Alex Jones; Oliver Buckley; Mark Roberts; James Cairns   

Substitutes:

Macauley Taylor; Oliver Staveley; Elliott Evans; Christopher Bennett; Kieran Ellis

Llay Welfare

Jack Edwards (GK); Dean Bryan; Aled Roberts; Maxwell Peate (C); Adam Williams; Daniel Lloyd; Scott Swords; David MacIntyre; Rhys Lloyd; Thomas Wells; Kian Turton

Substitutes:

Ryan Dacey; Matthew Thompson; Jonathan Collo; William Nevitt; Ethan Simpson