Pike stings COBRA – P79 BUCKLEY GOAL GUIDES TUDNO OFF BASEMENT
LEWIS BUCKLEY’S fantastic strike just before half time was enough to secure MBi Llandudno a 1-0 home victory over Rhyl on Tuesday night.
The win lifted Alan Morgan’s side off the bottom of the Welsh Premier and sent the Lilywhites to the basement.
While Buckley’s goal will claim most of the plaudits, it was the tenacity of fellow front man Marc Williams that set up the decider.
Former Wrexham and Colwyn Bay player Williams was the outstanding performer in a game where Tudno recorded their first league win in five attempts.
A thrilling derby at Maesdu Park saw the hosts pose the first serious threat when a Gareth Evans free kick into the box was helped onto the top of the crossbar.
A minute later Marc Williams caught the Rhyl defence napping and Buckley looked certain to score, but keeper Terry McCormick denied him.
The visitors responded on 16 minutes when Ibor Tourey’s cross from the left was met by the head of Aaron Bowen, but Dave Roberts tipped smartly over the bar.
Buckley then released Marc Williams whose first-time attempt was beaten out by McCormick before Connor Bell did not miss by much at the other end.
In the 35th minute Buckley sent James Joyce clear, but again McCormick would not be beaten.
However, two minutes before the break, Marc Williams dispossessed Greg Stones and not even McCormick could keep out Buckley’s 20-yard left-foot rocket.
Llandudno started the second half well, Lee Thomas blasting one at McCormick, then Roberts produced a great block.
Buckley had a shot deflected wide, then following the resulting corner an Evans volley was cleared off the line by Dean Keates.
Jonny Spittle made a magnificent tackle to deny Derek Taylor before Rhyl brought on young talents Rob Hughes and John Owen in a bid to give them more presence in attack.
This worked to a degree, but Llandudno defended superbly on the whole.
Owen made a dynamic run into the box but lashed wide, then Rob- erts performed marvels to palm away a Keates volley before Hughes drilled one straight at the keeper.
Evans should have sealed it for Llandudno when he was through on goal, but his chip over McCormick went agonisingly wide.
Rhyl pressed for an equaliser, Roberts forced to push out another effort before Chay Dysart headed onto the top of the net from a good position.
But Llandudno deservedly held on for three points.
Last Saturday saw the Seasiders lose 2-1 at gap Connah’s Quay.
Callum Morris headed the Dee- siders in front at the back post from a Les Davies free kick after just five minutes.
Tudno responded well, a free kick from Joyce which forced a marvellous save by John Danby their best attempt.
Against the run of play, Chris Rimmer volleyed in a second for the Nomads on 44 minutes.
In the second half Llandudno had two goals disallowed before one finally counted in added time, a Danny Hughes finish proving no more than a consolation.
This Saturday sees the Seasiders visit third-placed Port Talbot Town.