Denbigh hit 11 in goal rout

Denbigh went goal crazy with an outstanding performance at Cae Clyd as they scored their highest goal tally for many a season. The league’s top goal scorer Jake Walker bagged five of the goals with captain Mark Roberts getting a hat-trick. Jonathon Terry, Dan Clarke and Jacob Barratt were also on the scoresheet as Town continued their rich goal scoring run of form having hit the net 33 times in their last six games.

The onslaught started after only 23 seconds in what must be the quickest goal of the season. Dan Clarke picked the ball up on the left wing, tricked his defender to send in a low cross for Walker to control, turn and blast it into the top of the net. (see photo)

Within a minute Denbigh were two up and this time it was a brilliant 25 yard strike from Mark Roberts. He gathered the ball with his back to goal, turned and unleashed a curling shot which bent over the goalkeeper’s head and into the top corner of the Blaenau goal.

Roberts was unlucky two minute’s later when his header from a Jacob Barratt cross hit the crossbar as Denbigh’s attacking force was in full flow.

Centre back Billy Holmes was the creator of the third on 17 minutes when he made a crucial interception just inside his half and laid the ball onto Dan Clarke who found Jacob Barratt on the right wing. Barratt dribbled into the Blaenau penalty area and squared the ball for Mark Roberts to slot in for his second goal.

Walker got his second after 26 minutes courtesy of Mark Roberts deep cross which found Dan Clarke and with one touch control the youngster laid the ball on for Walker to strike home from the edge of the penalty box.

Denbigh’s confidence was in full flow as they dominated the game in all areas and the fifth came on 29 minutes when a long Jonathon Terry ball over the top from defence had Mark Roberts sprinting past his defender and rounding the keeper to slot home for his hat-trick.

As half time approached Roberts turned goal maker when his pin point cross found Walker in space 10 yards from goal to head home and claim his first half hat-trick.

The second half continued as the first with Denbigh having all the possession and after Paul Fleming was fouled just inside the Blaenau half, Dan Lloyd floated in a ball which Jonathon Terry headed just wide. Jake Walker should have had his fourth, but his shot went wide of the goal from 15 yards. Mark Roberts had a chance for his fourth after Denbigh broke from a Blaenau attack, but the ball bobbled just before he shot which caused his attempt to go skyward.

The pressure had to tell on the Blaenau defence and when young Sion Jones played a superb through ball for Dan Clarke to run onto, the 18 year old fired in an unstoppable shot from 18 yards for Denbigh’s seventh.

Denbigh’s manager Dewi Llion brought on another youngster, 16 year old Owen Heath for captain Mark Roberts on 60 minutes and within minutes he had won a corner after a great run. Dan Clarke’s lofty ball from the corner found an unmarked Jonathon Terry to head home for the eighth.

Blaenau got one back a minute later after some confusion over one of their players receiving attention from a coach whilst the ball was still in play. Denbigh’s defenders stopped playing believing the ball was dead only for Meilir Williams to carry on and slot the ball under keeper Joe Griffith.

Moses Barnett and Les Brophy replaced Paul Fleming and Dan Lloyd as Denbigh reshaped their formation. Sion Jones moved into midfield to join the hard working effective Will Ashley with Billy Holmes shifting to left back as Brophy took up the right back position and Barnett went centre back.

Blaeanu had a rare attack into Denbigh’s goalmouth and Griffith dived low to parry a shot only to see his defender’s subsequent clearance hit him straight in his face from 6 yards. A dazed Griffith took a couple of minutes to recover before the game continued.

Owen Heath was already proving a threat down his right wing and after he dribbled his way into the penalty area his shot was saved by Cian Williams in the Blaenau goal only for the rebound to fall to Walker to claim his fourth of the afternoon.

Jacob Barratt got the tenth on 74 minutes when the 18 year old made his way into the area and his shot deceived Williams and trickled over the line

Sion Jones created the eleventh a minute later when his quick free kick over the Blaenau defence saw the alert Walker running onto the ball and slotting home for his fifth.

Denbigh had further chances towards the end of the game but could not extend the lead any further.

Manager Dewi Llion said afterwards “What a performance from everyone. We were dominant throughout the game and could easily have scored more. We are playing some really attractive football and with two big home fixtures coming up against Greenfield and Holyhead Hotspur are going into the Christmas period in top form”.

Denbigh Town FC
Joe Griffith, Sion Jones, Dan Lloyd, John Terry, Billy Holmes, Dan Clarke, Will Ashley, Jacob Barratt, Paul Fleming, Jake Walker, Mark Roberts. Subs : Les Brophy, Moses Barnett, Owen Heath

Referee – Philip Hughes

Attendance - 75