Wrexham 4-0 Rhyl: FAW Premier Cup semi-final

Barrett's strike opened the floodgates

Four second-half goals saw Wrexham through to a meeting with Newport in the final of the FAW Premier Cup.

The promotion-chasing Division Three side were made to work hard by the Welsh Premier outfit and it took until the 58th minute for man-of-the-match Paul Barrett to open the scoring.

Rhyl fell apart after that, though, and strikes from Dennis Lawrence, Shaun Holmes and Hector Sam meant that there was no repeat of Newport's giant-killing acts in the tournament.

The date for the final has yet to be decided upon as Wrexham's congested end of season fixture list needs to be resolved.

The home side dominated territory and possession in a one-sided first half.

I didn't think they could keep up the work rate for 90 minutes Wrexham manager Denis Smith

With the Welsh Premier team battling hard and getting behind the ball there were few clear-cut chances, though.

Shaun Holmes, Craig Morgan, Lee Jones and Paul Barrett all had chances, but Rhyl keeper Paul Smith was never seriously troubled and it remained goal-less at the break.

The constant pressure from the Dragons had to tell, though, and it was Barrett who eventually broke the deadlock.

The midfielder was pushing forward effectively and on one of his forays the ball fell to him on the edge of the Rhyl box.

An awkward first touch bounced kindly off Rhyl defender Michael Jackson, giving Barrett the chance to fire a sweet left-foot volley into the corner.

The goal forced the Welsh Premier side to open up, and that predictably allowed Wrexham to extend their lead.

A 66th-minute corner was headed down by 17-year-old Craig Morgan and the loose ball was nodded in by fellow defender Dennis Lawrence.

Hector Sam and Lee Jones both went close as Rhyl's resolve fell apart, and it was those two who combined to set up the Dragons' third.

Smith was pleased with his team's professionalism

Jones' dangerous cross from the right could only be parried by Paul Smith, the ball fell to Shaun Holmes and the left back made no mistake with a powerful right-footer.

With the game effectively over, Sam pushed his case for a first-team recall with a coolly taken 89th-minute goal.

Wrexham manager Denis Smith was pleased with the application shown by his side.

"The lads have worked hard and done it professionally," he said.

"I felt fairly confident as long as we kept moving the ball - I didn't think they could keep up the work rate for 90 minutes.

"We've got to concentrate on the league now, then we can start thinking about Newport."

Wrexham: Paul Whitfield, Craig Morgan, Steve Roberts, Dennis Lawrence, Carlos Edwards, Shaun Holmes, Jim Whitley, Darren Ferguson, Paul Barrett, Lee Jones, Lee Trundle. Subs: Kristian Rogers, Dan Bennett, Paul Edwards, Steve Thomas, Hector Sam.

Rhyl: Paul Smith, Mark Powell, Ady Moody, Timmy Edwards, Michael Jackson, Scott Millington, Gareth Wilson, Lee Atherton, Gary Powell, Chris McGinn, Nicky Brookman. Subs: Mark Billingsley, Ryan Baker, Jon Fisher-Cooke, Steve Walters, Andy Moran.

Ref: Kevin Parry (Anglesey)