Rhyl set for Bohs Test in Intertoto Cup clash

Rhyl will play Eircom League leaders Bohemians in Dalymount Park in Dublin this evening (7.00) in the Intertoto Cup First Round, First Leg.

It's officially the first day of summer today, so the Lilywhites are back in action a lot earlier than ever, and they face their first competitive match in the post-John Hulse era. New Head Coach Alan Bickerstaff will be hoping that his side can get a result, to please the travelling fans and so they can have a real chance of progressing in the return leg at Belle Vue next Saturday (14:30).

Rhyl have a small squad in Ireland, as they were unable to sign any new players due to the closed transfer window. They have also lost Lee Hunt (Barrow) and Stuart Graves (Bradford PA) in the close season, whilst Michael White and Chris Sharp are both on the operating table. The visitors are boosted by the availability of defenders Jamie Brewerton and George Horan, who have both been linked with moves away from Belle Vue.

They were further boosted by the capture of 'keeper Lee Kendall on a 4-year contract last week and he'll be the last line of defence this evening. Influential midfielder Jimmy Kelly could return after half an hour of action in midweek, but Greg Stones is doubtful, so Craig Garside could deputise.

Bohs should be close to full strength although their talented 20-year-old left-back Conor Powell is a doubt. Their dangerman is Killian Brennan, who has been selected as the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Player of the Month for May. Their manager Pat Fenlon has said the fact his team is half way through its season could prove a big factor when the clubs, which again adds to the debate about summer football.

The Irish side are half-way through their domestic campaign, but have had a couple of weeks break, their last action a 3-0 victory over Drogheda Town in the FAI Cup a fortnight ago. Fenlon took over as Bohs boss in December and has got off to a flyer as his team lead the Eircom League by three points with just one defeat in 14 matches and only seven goals conceded.

"We've made a great start; I've only been here six months and it's going well," he told Lilywhites Online. "We've got bigger priorities than the Intertoto, but we want to go as far as we can in the tournament. League of Ireland clubs have done well in Europe in recent years."

Fenlon's assistant is Liam O'Brien, the ex-Republic of Ireland international who played for Manchester United under Alex Ferguson and then Newcastle in the late 80's.The winners then face either FK Riga of Latvia or Israel's Fylkir in the second round (5/6 July and 12/13 July).