DENBIGH Town Reserves' first outing of the season resulted in a 2-1 defeat against a strong Johnstown Youth FC outfit.

Central Park provided a superb playing surface and allowed both sides to employ a flowing game.

Denbigh were a young team, but matched their more seasoned opponents for long periods of the game.

A blank first stanza, with Jamie Roberts again impressing between the Town sticks, was deservedly shared in terms of possession.

Paul Williams looked very solid at the back and both he and Danny MacDonald had to withstand some tough tactics from the visitors.

Dean Moss up front for the Vale side looked very useful on this showing, with a good first touch and some neat interplay with veteran Steve Jones.

Jamie Evans and Jac Glover did well on the flanks, driving at the heart of the Wrexham area club.

Johnstown took a lead on 50 minutes following superb play from the classy Chris Bradley who latched onto a ball, noted a moment's hesitancy in the Denbigh defence and swept the ball home despite the best attempts of Roberts.

Town responded with relish. Brett Jones forced a free kick wide on the right and the little play maker swung a great ball over which was met beautifully by Chris "Golden" Brown who rose highest to bullet a header past a despairing YFC custodian.

Ultimately though, it was Johnstown who snatched the spoils – with Bradley grabbing a second when cutting in from the right and finishing with some style past a back pedalling Denbigh defence.

Ben Stanway, the pick of Denbigh's team, struck the bar as the game swung from end to end and then Jamie Clayton did well to stop Bradley gaining his hat trick with a brave block when a goal seemed imminent.