RHYL TO ROUND 4.....JUST

FAW WELSH CUP ROUND 3---29 NOVEMBER 2014 2.30PM
RHYL 2 V GOYTRE UTD 1
The Lilywhites did what they had to do to progress to the next round and were probably always the side that would progress but they made hard work of seeing off a determined Goytre Utd from the Welsh League.

The Corbett Sports Stadium was a new ground for me and having seen it many times on S4C I delayed the pleasure for an hour with a dash around Rhyl before the game.  A typical seaside resort that has seen the good times and probably may not see them again its somewhat signified by its under development rail station which has the massive length platforms which are often seen at our former glorious seaside resorts.  The town itself is very average and even the seafront would appear to have seen better days but the people were great but it was time to move onto the game.
The façade of the ground, although dated, is certainly the most impressive of the Welsh Premier League grounds I have visited so far and following a welcoming chat and purchase in the club shop the entrance beckoned.  Programmes purchased it was all aboard for the lap of the ground and this now almost all seater ground was looking good on this sunny day.

  Its variety of seats and colours from concrete based stands to scaffold based the aquamarine behind the Arriva sponsored stand work well in this sponsorship deal.  To tea bars are looking good, indeed I even sampled a double decker hot dog and onions at half time!  Once again the club and supporters were very friendly and I managed to get into conversation with quite a few people during the afternoon-nice welcome guys.
The game kicked off with what looked like a trial with school boy officials being in control, maybe I'm getting older. 

Cadwallader settles Rhyl's nerves.

The 'canteen' double decker hot dog!

The first half was a terse affair that remained goal less this could be said to be justice for the entertainment provided.  The second period started with Rhyl stepping up a gear and Cadwalader smashed home a penlty after 57 minutes before they doubled their lead with a screamer from Dawson which flew in off the post from 30 yards out.  GAME OVER..... well no with 3 minutes remaining Thompson was sent off for the home side rather harshly for a dubious foul that the referee thought denied a goal scoring opportunity.   Goytre made it a tense final minutes when the free kick from the infringement was driven in from 30 yards out by Orme.
Rhyl survived the remaining stoppage time and progressed to round 4 but they will have to pay better than this to progress much further.

Usual race back to the station and having secured a seat time to reflect on another enjoyable afternoon in North Wales and a warm welcome received from Rhyl FC, look forward to visiting again soon.