First Team - Match center

Denbigh Town
Prestatyn Town
Tue 25 Sep 19:30 - Huws Gray Alliance League - Huws Gray Alliance Full time Attendance 170

Close win for Denbigh

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Denbigh Town 2-1 Prestatyn Town

Goals from Sam Downey and Mark Roberts helped secure Denbigh’s win in a closely contested evening game at Central Park as Denbigh extended their unbeaten run to four games. The Seasiders had beaten Denbigh only a month ago in a cup game with virtually the last kick of the game and so Town were out to avenge that defeat

Jake Walker returned up front as loan signing Alfons Fosu-Mensah had been recalled by Llandudno FC. Lewis Sirrell moved to left back in place of the injured Bailey Jackson.

Prestatyn were forced to change their goalkeeper in the warm up as regular stopper Ryan Woods injured himself and Christian Wright went between the sticks. Like Denbigh, the visitors have not had the best of starts and they stood at the bottom of the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance before the start of the game. Both teams were eager to claim the three points. Ryan Turner is currently managing the Seasiders with ex joint-manager Leon Fields having left the Club last week.

In the opening exchanges both teams had chances. Sam Jones played a low shot easily saved by Wright and at the other end lan Griffiths turned the Denbigh defenders and shot just over the bar. Griffiths was to be a threat all night as he put in an impressive hard working performance.

The game was moving into an end to end affair with both teams appearing a little edgy. With tackles flying in it was’nt long before FIFA referee Iwan Griffiths showed a yellow card, with Denbigh’s Mark Roberts being the first recipient for a late lunge.

Prestatyn got the breakthrough on 29 minutes when Alex Jones received the ball in the middle of the Denbigh half. Some great work from him saw him dance round the Denbigh defenders to break free into the penalty area and fire low into the corner of the net giving keeper Craig Vernon no chance.

Denbigh responded well and put pressure on the Prestatyn goal. Mark Roberts did well as he beat two men and shot from the edge of the area only for Wright to save comfortably.

The equaliser came in the 34th minute following a scramble in the Prestatyn goalmouth where their defender almost scored an own goal with a header only for Wright to save well and palm the ball out to Sam Downey who fired in from close range.

Prestatyn should have gone two up just before the break when some sloppy Denbigh play saw Miles Todd play a short ball across the defence to last man Scott McHarrie. With little pace on the ball, it put the youngster under pressure and Jack Hoult nipped the ball off him in the penalty area and with only an advancing Craig Vernon to beat he shot wide of the target.

The second half continued like the first with both teams getting opportunities. Jake Walker had an early chance but his shot was saved comfortably. Scott McHarrie had a long range effort that went well over the bar. Prestatyn had a free kick in a dangerous position on the outskirts of Denbigh’s area that beat the Denbigh ball but went wide.

The all important goal came on 54 minutes when Lewis Sirrell sent in a ball from a set piece from the left wing and Mark Roberts was there at the far post to head home for his fourth league goal of the season. Just reward for the striker who puts in such a committed game every time he puts on a Denbigh shirt.

Denbigh should have been three up minutes later when from a great corner from Tom Jones the ball bobbled about the area with the ball hitting the Prestatyn post before the Seasiders were able to clear.

Changes came as the management duo of Dewi Llion and Matty Jones looked to contain the lead. Harri Lovatt came on for Miles Todd and Rhys Llwyd replaced Tom Jones.

Nevertheless Denbigh were living dangerously at the back as passes went astray and Prestatyn had chances to capitalise but could not beat keeper Craig Vernon who is increasing in stature game by game.

On 75 minutes a ball from Tony Davies found Mark Roberts on the half way line in space and he sprinted into the Prestatyn half with their defenders in chase. Under pressure he shot from the edge of the area, but the shot went wide of the target.

Sion Jones replaced the hard working Jake Walker on 81 minutes and he was involved in the action straight away making some headway down the right wing to win a corner which came to nothing. Rhys Llwyd produced a well struck shot from 20 yards but its power was reduced by hitting a defender and Wright collected the ball safely

As the game reached it final minutes Prestatyn almost snatched an equaliser as Matthew Griffiths’ shot was played across Denbigh’s goal and rolled out for a goal kick. This was the last threat on the Denbigh goal and the Town were content to claim the three points, deserved on their more improved second half performance

Joint manager Matty Jones said after the game “We were no way near our best but we improved in the second half and we created more chances. It keeps our mini run and we look forward to our next game”.

Next up is a trip to Porthmadog on Saturday 29th September – kick off is 2.30pm

Denbigh Town
Craig Vernon, Miles Todd, Lewis Sirrell, Curtis Langton, Tony Davies (Capt), Scott McHarrie, Sam Jones, Sam Downey, Jake Walker, Tom Jones, Mark Roberts Subs – Sion Jones, Harri Lovatt, Gwion Bibby, Rhys Llwyd, Pete Lloyd

Prestatyn Town
Christian Wright, Ciran Jones, Dave Hayes, James Hay, Chris Bennett, Aaron White,Nathaniel Hulme, Alex Jones (capt), Jack Hoult, Ian Griffith, Matthew Griffith. Subs – Alex Lloyd, Mike Foulkes, Alun Roberts, Steven Donasse, Ryan Woods

Referee – Iwan Griffith
Assistant – Tony Hepton
Assistant -Nathan Wheatley

Attendance - 170

Team selection

Vernon, Craig Vernon, Craig
Todd, Miles Todd, Miles
Langton, Curtis Langton, Curtis
Jones, Sam Jones, Sam
Davies, Tony Davies, Tony
Sirrell, Lewis Sirrell, Lewis
Jones, Tom Jones, Tom
McHarrie, Scott McHarrie, Scott
Roberts, Mark Roberts, Mark
Walker, Jake Walker, Jake
Downey, Sam Downey, Sam
Denbigh Town

League round up

Standings

# Team Pl Pts
10. Gresford Athletic 30 39
11. Conwy Borough 30 36
12. Llanrhaeadr YM 30 32
13. Penrhyncoch 30 30
14. Holywell Town 30 30
15. Denbigh Town 30 29
16. Holyhead Hotspur 30 19

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