|
| BRIDESMAIDS AGAIN AS RHYL CLINCH IT |
 |
 |
| |
|
 |
Steve
Evans (far left) heads his first goal at Welshpool. |
Welshpool Town 0-5 Total Network Solutions
J T Hughes Mitsubishi Welsh Premier
Saturday 1 May 2004: Away, Maes-Y-Dre
TNS are Welsh Premier bridesmaids yet again, after Rhyl made no mistake in deservedly
clinching the title at Porthmadog's Traeth.
Beaten twice by the Lillies in the league, Saints can have no complaints, but
the title was lost elsewhere - most notably in a home draw with Welshpool and
the recent Treflan defeat by Caersws.
A win in either match would have made all the difference, but it was not to
be and it's hats off to Rhyl - unbeaten in the Welsh Premier since September.
Victory at Welshpool was academic as it turned out, but Saints made no mistake
with a five goal show which included a hat-trick from Steve Evans.
John Toner started the rot after six minutes, when he latched onto a through
ball, found himself in the clear, and lobbed Welshpool keeper Steve Goodwin.
It was two-nil two minutes later, as Evans rose to head Martyn Naylor's left-wing
corner.
Evans made it three on 19 minutes, again from a Naylor supply and the wing back's
free kick on the stroke of half-time was headed back across goal by Chris Taylor
for Michael Wilde to head past Goodwin.
Saints again dominated the second half, but could only add one more goal. The
home keeper was at fault as he stood and watched Evans's hat-trick header fly
past him into the net.
An overwhelming victory, but too late in the day, as news of Rhyl's exploits filtered through.
Beaten to the trophy by seven points in 2001/2, three points last season and
one point this time, TNS are at least closing the gap.
Maybe next year they can go one better, although revenge against Rhyl still
beckons in the Welsh Cup final. |
|
| 1 May 2021 |
| |
|
|
