Davies' brace secure 2 - nil win for Denbigh against Penrhyncoch

Two goals from Josh Davies saw Denbigh overcome a resilient Penrhyncoch side at Central Park in an entertaining game that could have gone either way.

The mid Wales team are noted for being a well organised side who are difficult to break down and Town manager Eddie Maurice-Jones said afterwards “A good result against a team that makes it frustrating to play against”.
Early morning downpours meant a pitch inspection before the game was deemed playable and showers continued during the first half
Both teams had chances in the first 10 minutes to take the lead with the Roosters from Penrhyncoch being awarded an early free kick for a high boot against Steffan Davies. A dangerous cross by Antonio Corbeserio was well cleared under pressure by Town’s Danny Sullivan for a corner which came to nothing.
Full back Rakim Newton was involved in plenty of early action as he pressed forward and linked well with Craig Pritchard and Warren Duckett to lay on Duckett for a shot then went close. Newton was then fouled just outside the box and Kristian Pierce’s free kick went to Davies whose shot was blocked and rebounded for Sullivan to shoot straight at keeper Jenkins.
On 12 minutes a mix up in the Penrhyncoch defence saw Warren Duckett snap on a poor pass and shoot for Jenkins to save well only for the ball to go back to Duckett who passed onto Josh Davies to fire in from 10 yards and give Denbigh an early 1-0 lead.[ see pic ]
Town looked to build on this lead with the efficient Steve Cunningham having a tremendous shot which just shaved the crossbar. Davies was then fouled by Felligno on the edge of the box but the free kick didn't trouble the Rooster defence and was cleared for Steffan Davies to break through at the opposite end to shoot just wide of keeper Hill-Dunt’s post.
Penrhyncoch were having more and more possession during the middle stages of the first half and from a corner Town’s Matty Cook headed off the line from a powerful Sion James header. Town could not keep the ball and seemed to be giving the ball away cheaply at times.
Conditions meant tackles were flying in and both numbers 8’s Steve Cunningham of Denbigh and Penrhyncoch’s Antonio Corbeserio were yellow carded for sliding tackles deemed illegal by referee Cheryl Foster.
As half time approached Pierce played a low corner to Josh Davies whose cross just eluded the head of captain Ben Nash and was cleared by the Rooster defence. A minute later Rakim Newton was played in by Craig Pritchard and his well struck was well blocked by Jenkins with the rebound hitting the crossbar for a Denbigh corner.So close!
The second half started with Penrhyncoch forcing Hill-Dunt to a great save from the impressive Nashwan Blake . Town’s Davies then broke down the left wing and crossed for Craig Pritchard to fire in a shot from close range only for Jenkins to save well and force the ball out for a corner.
On 65 minutes came a decisive moment in the game when Town’s Steve Cunningham was yellow carded for the second time for a challenge on Penrhyncoch’s Rob Muffett which saw Denbigh down to 10 men.
With Kristian Pierce also on a yellow card manager Eddie Maurice-Jones chose to bring on Gareth Partridge for Pierce as Town looked to contain their slender lead.
Jake Eyre had also been introduced for Duckett and Eyre linked well with the hard working Craig Pritchard to fire just wide of Jenkins' goal. Pritchard was then on the receiving end of a vicious tackle by the dugouts which saw tempers fray from players on both sides. Referee Foster consulted with her assistant and produced yellow cards for Penrhyncoch’s Jones and Muffett.
Pritchard meanwhile was treated for some time before returning to the game. His contribution to Town’s recent run of form has been awesome and he has become a firm favourite for the Central Park supporters.
Penrhyncoch looked to capitalise on having the extra man and pressed forward with Josh Davies left as the sole attacker for Denbigh. Davies ran relentlessly all afternoon and was rewarded on 84 minutes for his hard work when he broke through the Rooster defence and coolly side step Jenkins to fire into an empty net for this 8th goal of the season – 6 in the last three games.
Davies had a chance for a hat-trick as Nathan Williams broke down the left wing, fed him a lovely ball only for Davies to find himself enclosed by defenders. He laid the ball on for Partridge who fired over from 18 yards.
With the referee playing several minutes of added time Denbigh played the game out and came out deserved winners against a hard working Penrhyncoch side.
The win takes Denbigh up to 4th in the league with attention now moving to next week's attractive Welsh Cup home game against Holyhead Hotspur at Central Park – Kick off is earlier than usual at 2.00pm. Entrance fee will be £6 for all adults as season tickets will not be valid for this cup fixture.

Denbigh Town
Jon Hill-Dunt, Rakim Newton, Nathan Williams, Dan Sullivan, Ben Nash, Matt Cook, Kristian Pierce, Steve Cunningham, Warren Duckett, Josh Davies, Craig Pritchard Subs: Jake Eyre, Lewys Turner, Liam Smith, Any Swarbrick, Gareth Partridge

Penrhyncoch
Leigh Jenkins, Carwyn Jones, Eilian James, Sion James, Jon Felligno, Owain James (Capt), Rob Muffett, Antonio Corbeserio, Steffan Davies, Nashwan Blake, Liam Lewis Subs : Nathan Warren, Jonathan Evans, Gari Lewis, Rhun Garner, Derfel Reynolds

Referee – Cheryl Foster - Chester
Assistant – Ben Miotti
Assistant – Simon McCormick
Attendance 85

Match Report by Iwan Jones. Photos by Roy Gunther and Stephen Whitfield