Rhyl’s McGuinness would sign Newtown’s Oswell

Current Rhyl manager Niall McGuiness has said that if he was the manager of a top six side, Jason Oswell would be a signing he would target as he comes up against the former Rhyl striker this Sunday.

A RETURNING LILYWHITE

Oswell is a man in form this season, as he sits top of the Welsh Premier League goal scoring charts on 16 goals as he added another goal to his tally last weekend, scoring a last gasp equaliser for Newtown in a 2-2 draw with Llandudno.

The 24 year-old striker previously played for Rhyl in the 2013/2014 season, scoring 3 goals in 14 appearances for the Lilywhites. McGuinness said that it’s a shame that he didn’t remain with the club. Since departing Rhyl he has featured for Airbus UK and Newtown. Oswell has been highlighted as the biggest threat for Rhyl for the game on Sunday.

“If I was one of the top budget clubs in the league I would look to sign him. It’s a shame that he left Rhyl under previous management. I think he will play higher level in the next couple of years. I have plans in place against Newtown, they’re a very good side with for me, they have two of the best players in the league within their side.”

SUNDAY’S OPPONENTS

Newtown are a side in form in the Conference section of the Welsh Premier League as they eye that final European play-off spot. The Robins are yet to taste defeat since Phase Two came in to place and will be looking for victory once again at Belle Vue. Rhyl will be without Steve Lewis and captain Steffan Halewood going into the game but Rhyl will welcome back Alex Jones and Mike Sharples.

“Steve Lewis will be out for the game he has been advised not to play on grass as it will affect his injury, so he will be doubtful now for the remainder of the season, as we have 3 grass games left. Other than that Alex Jones has return and Mike Sharples will be training this week. Steffan Halewood captain is suspended for 3 games.”

If Rhyl are to stay in the division, home advantage may become a key factor as a majority of their points have been picked up in front of their home crowd and McGuiness has backed up that point.

“I think every team wants to play at home in front of their own fans and having 3 out of the 4 games left at home could be a huge factor.”

Rhyl and Newtown have met three times so far this season, with Rhyl yet to register a win over Chris Hughes’s men but McGuinness will be looking for a reaction from his side after the 4-1 defeat to the Cefn Druids last weekend.

“It will be tough but we’ve beaten the likes of Bala, Bangor, Cardiff Met at home so were capable of it. Last time out there were many nerves amongst the side weren’t brave enough and didn’t stick to the game plan we set out too. I feel that it was in the back of the players minds having struggle against them so far this season. Every team has a side they struggle against and unfortunately ours is Cefn Druids.

The 3 games we played them against them I feel we’ve played really well we should have won the first meeting with the amount of chances we missed. The home game was fairly even but I think Newtown edged it in a game in which wasn’t under control from minute one.

The 3rd game away was our best performance seen the league split again we should have at least had a point from that if not all 3.  I think it’s a case of a massive reaction from Friday performance and a case of sticking to the game plan.”

WHAT STAYING UP WOULD MEAN TO RHYL

“We went on a positive run and never got carried away as we always knew the aim was to survive. With the budget we have and building a brand new team this season with just 1 remaining player from last season who is Mike Walsh.

It would be a huge achievement for myself and staff personally. To compete in this league and survive would be huge with a total of 12 players making their full season debut in the WPL all from lower league clubs.  It would mean a huge amount as everyone knows how close I hold the club to my heart being a Rhyl born lad and following them as a kid.

For the club it would be huge this year was a complete rebuild and to maintain status in the league give experience to the lads and given them time to grow as a team. It would also allow us to move on to stage 2 of our development plans next season.”

IMAGE FROM NEWTOWNAFC