Football: Llandudno look to extand unbeaten run

Dec 15 2011

LLANDUDNO will look to stretch their unbeaten run under manager Deiniol Graham to 10 matches this weekend when they entertain fellow mid-tablers Penrhyncoch in a Huws Gray Alliance League encounter.

Tudno's undefeated streak continued last Saturday but they will have been slightly disappointed to pick up only a 0-0 draw at lowly Ruthin Town.

The Seasiders made a good start and Lee Thomas tested home keeper Jamie Hulse within two minutes but he handled well.  

A strong run by Darren Gowans teed up Tom Dix who hit first time over the bar, but soon after Ruthin had what was probably their best chance when Asa Hamilton tried to go round home keeper Andy Rooney but got the ball stuck under his feet at the vital moment.

At the other end Lee Jones delivered a dangerous ball across the six-yard box where Ross Rule was agonisingly close to finding the finishing touch.

Midway through the half Thomas burst through midfield and laid off to Danny Hughes who blasted over the bar.

An immediate counter ended with Ruthin’s Jamie Price miscuing from six yards.

After this it was wave after wave of visiting raids with chances for Rule, Gowans, Hughes and Jones, but nobody could find the finish.

Early in the second half Tudno went really close when from a Jones free-kick Gowans showed great technique to volley but unfortunately hit the inside of the post.

The ball fell into the path of substitute Dean Seager who tried keep his returning volley down, but drove into the ground and over.

Ruthin gained a free-kick on halfway and Huw Price found sub Jack Crompton who nodded across the six-yard box but Jordan McCarter could not beat Rooney with a weak header.

From here Graham's charges dominated possession and put Ruthin under constant pressure but were wasteful in front of goal.

Substitute, debutant 16-year-old Brian Roberts, did well on his first appearance and troubled the home team with his trickery, putting some great balls into the box but again they lacked the finish.

Jones' effort was spilled by Hulse but cleared away, then Wyn Williams' header was tipped wide for a corner.

Hughes' goalbound scorcher was somehow pushed wide by the impressive Hulse, then Roberts' audacious chip landed on the roof of the net.

Joint Tudno boss Mark Hewitt said afterwards: “This was a game in which we dominated against a very stubborn Ruthin team on a difficult playing surface.

"We didn’t create enough clear cut chances but on the positive side it is another clean sheet and our unbeaten run continues."