Disappointing performance at Conwy's Y Morfa

Conwy Borough 4 - 1 Denbigh Town

Denbigh Town arrived at Conwy Borough hoping to come away with something from the game despite the midweek loss in the Nathaniel MG Cup. However for whatever reason the Town just did not play and were soundly beaten 4 -1 by an energetic Conwy side.

The teams kicked off with the Denbigh fans feeling slightly optimistic but within ten minutes they were left looking at each other as passes were going astray and the long punt up field seemed the favoured option. In fairness the midfield was very tight with little room for any of the midfielders on show to really get hold of the ball. Rhys Llwyd was out wide on the left whilst Sam Jones was wide on the right but despite making every effort they simply could not get behind the defence to the bye line in order to feed the two men prowling up front; Fosu-Mensah and Walker. Some thought they may have had more luck swapping wings but in any event it just was not happening for them. With both sides squeezing up the forwards were constantly getting caught offside and the first real chance, if you could call it that, did not happen for Denbigh until twelve minutes in when, after a series of passes along the back, Curtis Langton banged the ball up to Alfons Fosu-Mensah who put in a cross for Jake Walker but the ball remained just out of reach.

Shortly afterwards Conwy launched an attack and the ball ended up on the edge of the six yard box with Denbigh's centre half Tony Davies tackling a Conwy forward with both men stumbling. No one saw anything wrong in the stands and there was no big shout or waving of arms by the players but the referee must have seen something untoward and pointed firmly and decisively at the penalty spot. Denbigh's captain could not believe it but despite any protesting it was clear that the referee had made his decision and was not going to be swayed. Up stepped Conwy's Corrig McGonigle to coolly smash the ball high and middle with Craig Vernon diving low to his left.

The visitors although feeling very hard done by knew that they needed to get into the game and went on the attack straight away. Fosu-Mensah put a ball low across the box and Sam Jones, running in, could only blast the ball over the bar. Minutes later a long ball was met by Jake Walker who flicked the ball on to Fosu-Mensah and his shot was tipped over by the tall, ex Denbigh, keeper Keighan Jones. Denbigh also had a free kick at the edge of the box during this period but Fosu-Mensah shot high and wide.

After this initial twenty five minutes or so Conwy Borough settled the better. Denbigh continued with their long passes but these were dealt with comfortably enough by Conwy's defence particularly No 5 Iolo Hughes who was enjoying tidying up. Denbigh seemed to be playing most of their football across the back but Conwy were keen to exploit any mistakes. McGonigle was harassing and chasing and Conwy's number 10 Dean Seager pounced on any errors and ran at the defence. The right hand forward for the Tangerines, No 7 Sean McCaffrey, had a good shot at goal and McGonigle came close with a header before he scored just on half time. He received the ball in a crowded box after some good play on the left and with a quick turn he shot hard and low to the corner of the net. 2 - nil at the break.

The sides lined up again for the second period with Denbigh's Sam Jones being replaced by his brother Tom Jones who took more of a central role. Conwy looked the better team now though, it has to be said, and No 8 Bryn Roberts had a peach of a chance but shot over from eight yards out. Minutes later Dean Seager found himself in a one on one situation with the advancing keeper Craig Vernon but shot well over, again to the relief of Denbigh.

The Reds had to press forward and give it a go at this stage and did just that. Rhys Llwyd managed to get a shot at goal and made a claim for handball but the defender could do little from stopping the ball hitting his arm in truth. The industrious Sam Downey did his best to make things happen and his run into the box brought a huge shout for a penalty. He jinked his way goal wards at speed before being brought down by a defender leaving the ball to roll forward towards the by line. It looked a clear penalty but the referee was unsighted and looked to the linesman for assistance who kept his flag to his side. Not given.

Any real chance of a come back ended on 63 minutes after Denbigh,were awarded a free kick in the middle of the park which went disastrously wrong. After a couple of short passes the ball came back to Tony Davies who, under pressure from substitute Tommy Creamer, miss kicked the ball lifting it into the air. Creamer saw his chance and volleyed the ball from some twenty five yards away towards the Denbigh's goal and it sailed over Vernon dropping into the net.

Denbigh then replaced right back Miles Todd with Sion Jones and Rhys Llwyd was replaced by Bailey Jackson who went left back allowing Lewis Sirrell to push up on the left. After a minute or two Conwy brought on no 14 Corry Williams for Dean Seager and Williams was soon into action. In fact Williams' first touch saw him run on to a knock down and square the ball across the Denbigh's goal and the unlucky Denbigh substitute Bailey Jackson slid it into his own net. It was now 4 - nil and the Reds could only look to bring some respectability to the score line with the twenty minutes left.

Denbigh's goal came pretty much straight from the kick off after Lewis Sirrell ran down the left and put a ball chest high into the box towards the incoming Jake Walker and Sam Downey and it was Downey who jumped up and volley it in from close range for the consolation goal.

The rest of the remaining time saw the ball bouncing from end to end often missing the midfielders out completely and it was not pretty. Jake Walker managed a header towards goal after a good cross from Sion Jones but thankfully on ninety one minutes referee Kevin Parry brought proceedings to an end with jubilant Conwy celebrating and Denbigh trudging unhappily off the field.

Denbigh have a week now to pick themselves up ready for their next game against Penrhyncoch on Saturday 8th September 2.30pm ko at Central Park.

Denbigh Town
1.Craig Vernon 2.Miles Todd 3.Lewis Sirrell 4.Tony Davies 5.Curtis Langton 6.Scott McHarrie 7.Sam Downey 8.Sam Jones 9.Jake Walker 10. Alfons Fosu-Mensah 11. Rhys Llwyd Subs: 12. Tom Jones 14. Sion Jones 15. Bailey Jackson 16. Ross Weaver 25.Peter LLoyd

Conwy Borough
1.Keighan Jones 2. Nathan Williams 3. Guto Hughes 4.Gerwyn Jones 5.Iolo Hughes 6. Conner Shakleton 7. Sean McCaffrey 8. Bryan Roberts 9.Corrig McGonigle 10.Dean Seagaer 11. Connor Tierney Subs 12.Tommy Creamer 14. Cory Williams 15. Leigh Craven 16. Luke Wandless 13. Antoni Sarnowski

Officials
Referee Kevin Parry
Assistants Andy Dogan and Will Peel