Walker scores twice as Town secure win

Denbigh Town 4 - 1 Prestatyn Sports

Denbigh welcomed Prestatyn Sports to Central Park for an evening friendly at Central Park. The visitors won the Lock Stock Welsh Alliance League Two last season, losing only once in their last 28 games. Denbigh were keen to build on the promising performances of their recent friendlies as the new squad begin to understand each other’s games.

The game started with Denbigh having plenty of early possession with Joel Hewitt sending over a cross from the right wing which Sam Jones got his head to but could only direct it at the Prestatyn Sports keeper.

Prestatyn Sports thought they had scored after 15 minutes when their forward broke through the Denbigh defence and fired past Craig Vernon in Denbigh’s goal only for the assistant referee to flag for offside.

Denbigh’s midfield began to take a hold on the game with Sam Downey, Scott McHarrie and Lewis Sirrell linking well. Up front Mark Roberts turned provider when he crossed from the left wing for Joel Hewit at the far post, but he was just unable to connect with the ball. Roberts was involved a minute later when he played a great one two with Sam Downey just outside the area only for the keeper to block Roberts’ final touch.

Prestatyn Sports had their moments in the first 20 minutes forcing two corners in quick succession. However Denbigh’s central defenders Curtis Langton and captain Tony Davies won decisive headers to clear the attacks

On 25 minutes Denbigh took the lead when some intricate play found Mark Roberts in the six yard box. He shot, the keeper saved and the ball bounced to Sam Jones who shot and the keeper saved again only for the rebound to go to Roberts who slotted in from three yards.

The visitors responded well and within four minutes were level with a superb strike form Chris Owen which flew into the back of the net from eighteen yards giving Craig Vernon in Denbigh’s goal no chance.

A few minutes later as they put more pressure on Denbigh’s defence, Joel Hewitt was injured in a challenge near the Town corner flag. Hewitt had to leave the field and was replaced by Sam Tate.

With half time approaching Denbigh were unlucky not to extend their lead when Tom Jones’ curling shot from the edge of the penalty area clipped the far post and bounced out to safety.

Matty Jones, Denbigh’s joint manager introduced striker Jake Walker in the second half for Sam Jones. Prestatyn Sports were proving strong opposition and very hard to break down as the second half progressed. Their youngsters were competitive throughout the game and Town’s keeper Craig Vernon was called into action on several occasions early on which he dealt with comfortably.

Tony Davies was always a threat at the other end from Denbigh’s set pieces and he was on the end of two of Denbigh’s corners only for his headers to go wide

Sam Tate was involved in a lot of Denbigh’s creative play and he brought out a fine save from the visitors keeper when he shot low and hard from 20 yards. However Tate received a knock and he was substituted by young 17 year old local lad Sion Jones.

Jones was in the action straight away laying a great ball onto Sam Jones who had returned to the field. The attacker was through on goal only for a great tackle by a defender to thwart him.

As the game moved into its final stages Denbigh took control and Jake Walker scored his first of the night. This was quickly followed by Sam Downey netting on 84 minutes to make it 3-1. Curtis Langton played a great ball through the defence for Downey to latch onto the ball and fire home.

Minutes later Prestatyn Sport had a great chance to pull one back when they were awarded a penalty on 86 minutes for a foul on their striker. However the penalty shot ballooned over the bar.

Jake Walker netted his second on 89 minutes with a fine header from Sam Downey’s cross to make it 4-1 and the game finished a minute later with Town coming out comfortable winners in the end.

Joint manager Matty Jones said after the game “This was another good performance against a competitive Prestatyn Sports team and we had good spells of possession playing good football. With one more friendly left before the start of the season we are pleased with how the players are playing as a team, but obviously there are areas we still need to work on”

Their next game is on Saturday 4th August at Central Park when they play Greenfield with a kick off time of 2.30pm

Denbigh Town
Craig Vernon, Miles Todd, Curtis Langton, Tony Davies, Lewis Sirrell, Tom Jones, Sam Downey, Sam Jones, Mark Roberts, Scott McHarrie, Joel Hewitt Subs – Sam Tate, Jake Walker, Sion Jones