DENBIGH TOWN 2
CONWY UNITED 1
WELSH Alliance new boys Denbigh Town were delighted to grab an opening day win against a useful Conwy United outfit, reports Peter Glynn at Central Park.
Having gone behind early in the game, an 80th-minute strike from team captain Craig Wilkinson was a good reward for a hard fought and patient performance after having to endure sustained pressure for much of the second half.
It was a game of chances, two of which were accepted in the first 10 minutes.
In the third minute, United’s Ricky Jones banged an effort on the bar and livewire Jamie Jones pounced to put the Musselmen in the box seat.
It could have been two within 60 seconds only for wayward finishing.
Denbigh needed to respond quickly and Wilkinson and Jon Slater provided the fillip, with good first-time play setting up Darren Cassidy.
The Denbigh hitman took one touch, beat a man and slotted beyond Conwy’s keeper Paul Rooney.
The same man almost doubled his account from a flowing move but his fizz-bang whistled across goal.
The home mob now had the bit between their teeth, as Cassidy dragged one wide, Molloy almost converted from a great Osian Jones cross, and then Slater’s header was next to trouble a hesitant United defence.
Conwy were a menace on the break, however, having two quick strikers with an eye for goal.
Visitors Joe Williams and Benn Hughes were delivering quality on the flanks, but stout defence from Roger Beech and Huw Price ensured the Town goal remained intact.
Second-stanza action saw the Conwy crew begin to dominate ball possession.
Big Ash Crosthwaite gobbled one effort into his breadbasket and had to dive full length to prevent Williams’ powerful drive from finding the bottom corner.
Now it was the James gang who were breaking out with venom.
Slater was put through but inched wide. Cassidy hesitated in front of the sticks and the same man shot past the post.
As the sands of time began to peter out, man of the match Wilkinson latched on to a Slater header. He tricked a defender, glided past another and swept the ball beyond Rooney to record a goal of quality.
It was a little tough on Conwy to come away empty handed, but a useful start for Denbigh in what will be a tough season in the Welsh Alliance.