Walters gets a hat-trick as Stoke put Rhyl to sword

RHYL ended their pre-season campaign with a 6-0 defeat as they were put to the sword by a classy Stoke City XI at the Corbett Sports Stadium.

Experienced Premier League striker Jonathan Walters, who featured for the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2016, bagged a first-half hat-trick while George Waring also found the net as The Potters led 4-0 at the break.

And Waring bagged again in the second-half before Danny Jarvis completed the rout for the visitors late on.

Lewis Coyle scored the only goal of the match as Aberystwyth Town made it five pre-season wins out of five with a hardfought 1-0 triumph at Welsh League Division One side Afan Lido.

Luke Sherbon picked out Coyle with an inch-perfect pass in the 65th minute – and the striker drilled home to secure victory for The Seasiders – who start the Welsh Premier League season at the home of defending champions The New Saints next Sunday.

Carmarthen Town came from behind as they defeated West Wales rivals Haverfordwest County 2-1 at The Conygar Bridge Meadow.

Forward Ashley Bevan towered above the Carmarthen defence to head home the game’s first goal on 31 minutes.

But quick-fire efforts from Matthew Thomas and Declan Carroll shortly after the restart saw the visitors complete an impressive second-half comeback.

Lewis Buckley and Gaz Evans struck either side of half-time for Llandudno who continued their preparations for the new campaign with a 2-0 win at Porthmadog.

Penrhyncoch secured an emphatic 8-0 win in their Mid Wales Summer Cup clash with Knighton thanks to braces from Owain James, Liam Doherty and Antonio Corbisiero along with efforts from Josh Shaw and Jonathan Foligno.

Other results saw Bala Town go down 1-0 in their match at Skelmersdale while Cardiff Met thumped Port Talbot Town 5-1 at Cyncoed.