Denbigh exit Cup to late injury time goal

Denbigh Town FC 2-3 Prestatyn Town FC

Denbigh went out of the Nathaniel MG Cup in cruel fashion to a 93rd minute winner from Prestatyn’s Alex Jones after an enthralling second half.

The hosts made one change to the side that played so well a few days earlier in the win against Bangor City with Sam Tate coming in for the suspended Mark Roberts. Both teams have not had the best of starts to the season with only a point separating them in the league so this cup tie was always going to be a close encounter.

It was the Seasiders who started the stronger and they have several chances in the first ten minutes to go ahead with first of all Alex Jones putting in Chris Bennett for a shot which Denbigh’s keeper Craig Vernon saved well and then Jack Hoult’s well struck shot being finger tipped away for a corner by the Denbigh keeper.

Against the run of play Denbigh took the lead when Scott McHarrie battled well to win the ball in midfield , made his way goalwards and found Sam Tate to his right . His low cross was met by Rhys Llwyd whose well angled shot beat the diving Seasiders keeper Ryan Wood on 11 minutes.

Both teams had chances as the half progressed. Despite Prestatyn having more of the possession it was Denbigh who created more chances. On 24 minutes Sam Jones ran through on goal but Woods was quickly out of his goal to thwart him. Rhys Llwyd and the strong Alfons Fosu-Mensah started to form an attacking partnership, with Llwyd crossing which Fosu-Mensah could’nt quite get enough power and direction on to and the ball drifted wide of thegoal. The loan signing then used his strength in the 35th minute to break free of the Prestatyn defence only for his shot to go wide.

Prestatyn had their chances with Ciran Jones having a firmly struck shot blocked by Curtis Langton on 38 minutes and the half proved to be an even one with Denbigh going into the break one up.

The second half was a great advert for Welsh cup football. Denbigh started promisingly with Sam Downey, Sam Jones and Rhys Llwyd linking up well but the attack fizzled out with some good Prestatyn defending.

Bailey Jackson came on for Sam Tate after 50 minutes as Denbigh went for their second goal and shortly after Sion Jones replaced Miles Todd.

However it was Prestatyn who got the equaliser on 55 minutes from a low free kick from 25 yards by Dave Hayes which hit a deflection off a defender on its way through a crowded goal mouth and wrong footed Craig Vernon.

The Seasiders went ahead on 63 minutes. Denbigh had a free kick inside the Prestatyn half which was cleared and fell to the impressive Jack Hoult who broke down the left wing and fired past an outstretched Vernon to go into the right hand corner of the goal.

Prestatyn were now on top and Curtis Langton did well to block a dangerous cross whilst skipper Tony Davies was called upon to make some vital headed clearances. Davies was proving a ball player as well when he sent a superb ball for Fosu-Mensah to run onto and shoot but the shot went across the Prestatyn goal

Denbigh’s Jake Walker came on for the hardworking Sam Jones and this change of attacking formation gave Denbigh their best spell in the game as they went for the equaliser. Rhys Llwyd was in fine form down the right wing as on two occasions he crossed and Alfons Fosu-Mensah met them both but neither could be converted.

At the other end Lewis Sirrell covered well by sprinting back and making a goal saving tackle as Aaron White was through on goal

Alfons Fosu-Mensah was becoming more of a threat as the game progressed and on 80 minutes he had a chance as he was put through by Jake Walker and attempted to lift the ball over keeper Woods’ head only for them to collide. Play was held up for some time as the striker needed treatment.

Two minutes after play resumed Fosu-Mensah got his reward with a great individual goal. With his back to goal he turned his defender and fired a fierce drive from 20 yards which flew past Woods to set up a great finale to the game.

Nathaniel Hulme weaved his way into the penalty area for the Seasiders on 86 minutes to shoot only for the shot to be just wide as the pace of the game reached stepped up a gear with both teams looking for the winner within normal time

Denbigh then had two claims for penalties turned down by referee Petch as on both occasions Bailey Jackson took heavy challenges within the same attack, but both the claims were waved away.

The game went into injury time and on the 93rd minute Alex Jones got the all important winner for Prestatyn with a volley which gave Craig Vernon no chance. Disappointment for Denbigh, elation for Prestatyn.

Speaking after the game joint manager Dewi Llion said “It’s a hard one to take losing with moreorless the last kick of the game. Prestatyn had a lot more of the ball tonight than we had and we did’nt really get into the game to follow up on Friday night’s great result. At times we were complacent and we have to pick ourselves up now for Friday night’s game against Conwy.”

Denbigh’s next game is in a few days time away at Conwy Borough FC in The Huws Gray Cymru Alliance on Friday 31st August 2018. Kick off is 7.45pm.

Denbigh Town
Craig Vernon, Miles Todd, Lewis Sirrell, Curtis Langton, Tony Davies (Capt), Scott McHarrie, Sam Jones, Sam Downey, Alfons Fosu-Mensah, Rhys Llwyd, Sam Tate. Subs – Sion Jones, Jake Walker, Bailey Jackson, Sam Cartwright, Pete Lloyd

Prestatyn Town
Ryan Woods, Dan Roberts, Diego Alvarado, Same Kersh, Dave Hayes, Nathaniel Hulme, Chris Bennett, Keiron Jones, Alex Jones, Jack Hoult, Casey Faulkener. Subs Sam Heard, James Hay, Aaron White, Macauley Taylor, Scott Williams

Referee – Mark Petch
Assistant referee – Elfyn Bullock
Assistant referee – Andy Dogan

Attendance 220