DENBIGH TOWN 9

HOLYHEAD TOWN 3

IT was a real tie of two halves as Denbigh Town stormed into the second round of the Welsh Cup.

Welsh Alliance League Holyhead Town were right in the mix when they went into the break at Central Park level at 3-3.

There were also six goals in the second period, but all of them went to Denbigh to complete a thumping triumph.

Following a disappointing defeat at the hands of Guilsfield seven days earlier, the JD Welsh Cup was a welcome break for Matty Jones and Dewi Llion’s men to put their league troubles aside.

A tough test awaited them against a Holyhead Town side who secured their place in the first round proper after two hard fought victories over Menai Bridge and Llanberis.

The Holyhead club was resurrected in 2016 and they secured an unprecedented treble in their first season, including winning the Anglesey League.

Last season was equally impressive as the club secured back-to-back promotions, clinching the Gwynedd League title.

They currently ply their trade in Division Two of the Welsh Alliance League.

Denbigh's management team made several changes to the side that fell to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Guilsfield, with goalkeeper Gwydion Owen coming in for the injured Craig Vernon, while Bailey Jackson and Sion Jones replaced Miles Todd and Harri Lovett in defence.

Striker Jake Walker also came into the team, with Pat Hinchcliffe dropping to the bench.

The final change to the starting line-up saw Jordan Barrow making his long-awaited debut after gaining international clearance earlier in the week.

Denbigh started the tie brightly and in just the second minute, Bailey Jackson and Jake Walker set up Scott McHarrie, who shot inches over the crossbar.

Tony Davies glanced an attempt just wide minutes later, before the pressure finally paid off on six minutes.

Barrow's corner was inadvertently punched into his own net by Mike Bentley, under pressure from Mark Roberts.

Holyhead were struggling to gain a foothold in the contest, however they did manage to level things up on 13 minutes.

A punt upfield glanced backwards off the head of Tony Davies as he attempted to intercept, leaving Asa Thomas to run clear and calmly lob to make it 1-1.

This seemed to be the wake-up call Denbigh needed and they regained the lead immediately after the restart.

Jake Walker bagged the goal.

Not content with this immediate reply, from the ensuing restart Jordan Barrow stole possession back and he spotted the keeper off his line.

Nonchalantly, Barrow sent the ball sailing over Bentley from his own half to put Denbigh 3-1 up after a quarter-of-an-hour.

For most teams, this would have resulted in the white flags being raised, but Holyhead were having none of it and they were right back in it after 18 minutes.

Asa Thomas bagged his second goal of the game to make it 3-2.

Denbigh seemed to have hit the self-destruct button and on 26 minutes, a misplaced back pass put Thomas in again, but Gwydion Owen was alert to pull off a fine save.

Holyhead's comeback was completed two minutes before the break, though.

Following a calamity of errors and missed tackles in midfield, Gary Owen found himself clean through and he calmly slid the ball under the advancing Owen to take the sides in all-square at the break.

Half-time changes bore fruit for Denbigh when the second half got underway.

Curtis Langton found Sam Jones on the left wing and his low cross took the keeper out of the equation for Mark Roberts to calmly tap home to put Denbigh back in front.

Jones was at it again on 62 minutes.

This time, he latched on to Tony Davies' header from Barrow’s corner and while his shot was parried, it still ended up in the back of the net.

Things got even better for the home Town in the 68th minute.

Pat Hinchcliffe beat his man on the right wing and picked out the advancing Mark Roberts, who drilled home from six yards to make it 6-3.

The cracks in the Holyhead defence were now evident and with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, Curtis Langton found the impressive Sam Jones, who clinically curled home with his left foot.

Denbigh bagged goal number eight in the 80th minute.

Sam Jones found Barrow in the box and his resulting turn and volley evading the keeper’s dive to make it 8-3.

Three minutes later and the rout was completed as Mark Roberts completed his hat-trick.