CPD Y Rhyl 1879’s first-team coach Matty Roberts praised a strong second-half display in their 2-1 friendly loss to Corwen.

The recently formed club took plenty off positives from their latest outing at Belle Vue against a side who were operating at JD Cymru North level last season, which might have been a different result has the home side managed to make the most out of their superior possession.

Gareth Thomas’ side looks set for a title challenge in the new NWCFA Tier 4 (East) Premier Division this season, but when it will start cue to COVID-19 restrictions is another matter entirely.

Roberts, said: “It wasn’t the result we were looking for, but it was another solid performance.

“I thought we were the better side over the 90 minutes. We can pick holes in the defensive mistakes that led to their goals, but I thought we were solid.

“The things we need to improve on is mainly in the final third. Corwen set up to make things difficult for us but our patience on the ball, rotation in midfield and playing out from the back was good.

“This will all come in time. We are still gelling and building relationships on the pitch and I think our second half showed that.”

A mistake from the back by the home side early on resulted in Owen Cordiner breaking the deadlock, and the same player was on hand soon after to finish off a blistering counter-attack on the quarter-hour mark to double their advantage.

The hosts gradually worked their way back into the game and managed to pull a goal back after the break when young debutant Alfie Edwards finished well, but despite controlling possession for almost the entirety of the second period they were unable to come up with a crucial leveller.