Williams' brace settles Rhyl nerves

THE final scoreline suggests this was a comfortable win for Rhyl at the end of a turbulent week, but that wasn't the case.

Only a late brace from Matty Williams settled the home side's nerves after 10-man Connah's Quay had battled their way back into the game.

The Lillies missed plenty of chances to put the game out of Nomads' reach but only had a 29th-minute goal from Marc Connolly to show for their efforts until 12 minutes from time.

Debutant Aaron Burns headed into the side netting early on for Quay before Andy Alston was red-carded after fouling striker Rob Turner and denying a clear run on goal.

They quickly paid the penalty when Connolly's free-kick flew into the far corner. although Nomads nearly equalised straight away when Burns just failed to get a touch to Stuart Cook's cross.

Rhyl came close when a Phil Doran cross hit the top of the bar and, early in the second-half, a Connolly shot was saved by Terry McCormick with defender Tom Baker blocking Matty Williams' follow-up effort from the rebound.

More chances went begging before George Horan rose highest to head Doran's corner into the net against his former club, but the two-goal cushion lasted only a minute before Burns netted from 10 yards.

But in a strong finish, a Chris Williams shot was diverted into the net four minutes from time by Matty Williams, who then scored with his second attempt after McCormick had blocked his first shot.

Report, photo and stats courtesy of welsh-premier.com