Dafabet Welsh Premier

Rhyl 0

Newtown 2

NEWTOWN sealed their top flight status while completing an unbeaten record over relegation threatened Rhyl on Sunday.

The hosts have failed to address the shortcomings which saw the club reprieved from relegation last season and continue to creep further toward the trap door.

Rhyl supporters were left to rue their side’s toothless attacking display which ensured the Robins two goals in the final 20 minutes clinched victory.

Tom Goodwin lashed wide of target after eight minutes but the opening proved a rarity for the Robins in the first-half as Rhyl came to dictate proceedings.

Oliver Buckley was the first to test goalkeeper Jack Perry who made a fine save to turn away his goalbound header before Mike Walsh blasted wide.

Rhyl should have led on 30 minutes when Toby Jones’ dangerous free-kick deceived the Newtown defence but home captain Alex Jones spooned over the bar with Perry stranded.

The hosts continued to create openings with Newtown’s backs to the wall at the end of the half as Craig Williams and Shane Sutton made goalmouth blocks.

However Rhyl were also guilty of wasteful finishing with Jones again contriving to steer a point blank header wide before Buckley blasted over the bar.

Newtown handed Rhyl a warning on the stroke of half-time when Jamie Price’s free-kick forced Rhyl goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe into a rare save.

The chance proved to galvanise Newtown who almost led within the opening seconds of the second-half as Jason Oswell’s header forced Rhyl’s Chris Rimmer into action.

Rhyl continued to create their own chances but with no end product as Buckley wasted several openings before Jones’ goalbound shot was cleared by Price.

So many wasted chances would eventually come back to haunt Rhyl and with 18 minutes remaining Nick Rushton released Joe Kenton who produced a composed finish past Lavercombe for his first goal in the Newtown red shirt.

Rhyl sought a riposte but the Robins had their tails up and with 10 minutes remaining league top scorer Oswell returned to haunt his former club from close range with his 18th goal of the campaign.

NEWTOWN: Perry, Williams, Sutton, Mills-Evans, Price, Goodwin, Fletcher, Boundford, Mitchell, Rushton, Oswell. Subs: Rose, Edwards, Cadwallader, Stephens, Kenton, Kershaw

Att – 276