DENBIGH TOWN 1

GRESFORD ATHLETIC 3

EVERYTHING that could go wrong did go wrong for Denbigh Town on the opening night of the Huws Gray Alliance season.

The Central Park outfit lost out 3-1 at home to Gresford Athletic on Friday night - and they ended the match with just 10 men.

Gresford won the toss and they elected to play in the first half with the strong sun behind them, which caused problems for the Denbigh defenders.

Even so, it was Denbigh who had the best chance of the opening exchanges.

Bailey Jackson’s cross found Jake Walker, whose header went straight at visiting keeper Ben Jones.

Gresford took the lead on nine minutes and it was set up by two former Denbigh players.

Joe Newton fed Jake Eyre, who ran onto the touchline in the Denbigh penalty area.

When he turned and fired a low ball back across goal, it hit the arm of Town defender Curtis Langton and referee Michael Gray pointed to the spot.

Eyre stepped up to fire the penalty just past the outstretched Craig Vernon in the Denbigh goal.

Town did respond well to this setback and Sam Tate played a great cross for Mark Roberts, whose header hit a defender and bounced out for a corner.

Tony Davies then saw his well-struck volley go just over as Denbigh looked to get a goal back.

Gresford were still a threat and ex-Ruthin striker Jordan MacCarter was proving to be a handful.

He was unlucky not to score after half-an-hour when his shot went across Vernon’s goal.

Just before half time and MacCarter tried his luck again, this time from a free kick, which Vernon did well to save.

Denbigh were determined to get back into the game when the second period got underway.

The midfield of Sam Downey, Tom Jones and Lewis Sirrell had good spells, but Gresford's defenders were handling the Town attackers well and they were able to limit Denbigh’s chances.

The hosts were left with a mountain to climb in the 58th minute.

Miles Todd was adjudged to have fouled a Gresford attacker and MacCarter’s free kick beat Town number one Vernon to give the visitors a two-goal cushion.

Todd and Tony Davies both received yellow cards for disputing the free kick decision and shortly afterwards, Mark Roberts was also booked as Denbigh’s discipline started to flounder.

Town brought on Sam Jones for Jake Walker and he was soon in the thick of the action by winning a free kick.

Bailey Jackson found Tom Jones in the area from the set piece and his well-struck shot was deflected by a Gresford defender and into the arms of Ben Jones.

Tom Jones then linked well with his brother Sam, but the visiting backline cleared their lines.

As Denbigh continued on the front foot, Lewis Sirrell's corner saw Curtis Langton rising to head goalwards and this brought out an outstanding save from Ben Jones.

Set plays were looking the likely creators for a route back into the contest from Denbigh's perspective and this proved to be the case with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

From Tom Jones' corner, a towering Tony Davies header from six yards out sailed past keeper Jones to slash the deficit.

However, as Town were celebrating, Mark Roberts went to collect the ball from a Gresford defender to restart the game quickly.

Hos move was too aggressive for referee Gray’s liking and Roberts departed the field after picking up his second yellow card.

It didn't take long for Gresford to make their numerical advantage count.

They broke on 82 minutes and the ball fell to Aron Edwards, whose well placed shot from the edge of the box left Vernon with no chance.

If that wasn't bad enough, even further woe would head Denbigh's way with three minutes remaining.

Bailey Jackson’s challenge on a Gresford player was deemed too dangerous by referee Gray and he received a straight red card, reducing Denbigh down to nine men.