HOLYWELL TOWN 1

DENBIGH TOWN 3

A DOUBLE from Mark Roberts made sure it was a fine Friday night for Denbigh Town.

The lads from Central Park secured their second Huws Gray Alliance success of the campaign courtesy of a 3-1 scoreline during their trip to Holywell Town.

Neither team had experienced the best of starts to the season, with the Wellmen one point above Denbigh at the start of play, so even at this early stage of the season, a win was vital.

Denbigh welcomed Craig Vernon back between the sticks.

With Ross Weaver out injured, Scott McHarrie moved into midfield, while Miles Todd came in at right back.

Up front, Jake Walker was unavailable, so Mark Roberts started as centre forward.

Holywell began the better of the two teams and they had much of the first quarter, with Denbigh camped in their own half.

However, while the Wellmen had most of the possession, they couldn't find a way past the well marshalled central defensive partnership of Tony Davies and Curtis Langton, with keeper Craig Vernon rarely being troubled by the Holywell attack.

As things progressed, Holywell keeper Andy Metcalf sliced a clearance from outside his box towards Denbigh’s left wing. Ex-Holywell forward Sam Jones ran onto it and shot, only for Metcalf to redeem himself by getting back in time to safely gather.

Both teams had free kicks in dangerous positions, but neither could find the end product and the half was petering out as a scrappy and forgettable affair.

That all changed on 43 minutes when Denbigh claimed the lead.

Tom Jones broke free in the Holywell half and fed his brother Sam Jones on the left wing.

His low cross into the area was met by Mark Roberts, who was storming into the penalty area and he was able to fire into the net from 10 yards.

A minute later and it could have been two-nil.

Good work from Lewis Sirrell, Mark Roberts and Miles Todd set up Sam Jones in the penalty area, but his shot from 12 yards was easily saved by Metcalf.

The second half was far more entertaining, with both sides realising the importance of getting the three points.

Once again, it was Holywell who enjoyed the better possession in the opening stages of the half.

On 54 minutes, a scramble in the Denbigh box saw the ball fall to Joe Carey and his shot from 12 yards was blocked by Tony Davies standing a few yards away.

The ball hit Davies’ arm according to referee Walker and he awarded a penalty, producing a yellow card for the unlucky Davies.

Holywell captain Jones stepped up and fired the spot kick beyond Vernon to make it 1-1.

Minutes later and the Wellmen should have been ahead.

After some good possession, the ball found its way to Connor Little, but his attempt went wide of the goal.

Denbigh’s management team saw they needed to change their tactics.

Striker Alfons Fosu-Mensah had missed the previous game through injury and although not completely match fit, he came on for Tom Jones, who had worked hard in midfield.

In a further move, Rhys Llwyd replaced winger Sam Jones.

The changes immediately produced results.

A crossfield ball from Bailey Jackson found Fosu-Mensah on the right side of Holywell’s half.

His strength and power saw him shrug off a Holywell challenge, but his shot went wide of the target.

Denbigh midfielders Sam Downey and Scott McHarrie were working well together and their hard work closing down any pending Holywell attack was helping to keep the Wellmen at bay.

Another change was forced on Denbigh when the impressive Bailey Jackson had to leave the field with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

On came 18-year-old Harry Lovatt for his debut.

Formerly with the academies of Chester City and Shrewsbury Town, Lovatt had played for the reserves 24 hours previously and had impressed assistant manager Pete Lloyd.

Denbigh’s changes seemed to unsettle Holywell and the visitors made the most of a defensive lapse to regain the lead.

Mark Roberts latch onto the ball in the penalty area, turned and then slid an effort past the advancing Metcalf to get his second goal after 70 minutes.

Holywell made a double substitution of their own as they chased the game, but it was Denbigh who were having the better chances.

Roberts should have had his hat-trick on 77 minutes, but after taking a touch too many, his shot under pressure went wide of the goal.

Another chance went Roberts’ way two minutes later after good work from Harry Lovatt and Rhys Llwyd, however his shot went just wide of the target.

The game had now upped its tempo.

Holywell piled on the pressure and Miles Todd made a goal saving tackle as Holywell’s Jones was through on goal.

From the resulting corner, the game had its defining moment. Holywell pushed their men forward and from the well delivered set piece, the ball found the head of a Holywell striker.

His attempt brought out a simply stunning save from Craig Vernon, who pushed the ball against the crossbar and Denbigh cleared.

From the clearance, Denbigh broke quickly and had four attackers facing one Holywell defender.

Mark Roberts played the ball to Alfons Fosu-Mensah, who was able to coolly slot the ball home to give Denbigh a 3-1 lead with six minutes remaining.

With Denbigh now in control, they were able to play out the remaining minutes and take home a much needed three points.