Five-star Denbigh rain supreme!

HOLYHEAD HOTSPUR 1

FIVE-STAR Denbigh Town rained supreme in Friday night action.

On a wet evening, Eddie Maurice-Jones' charges got back to winning ways in style with a comprehensive Huws Gray Alliance victory over a spirited Holyhead Hotspur team.

With leading goalscorer Josh Davies having left for a spell to play for Melville Town in New Zealand, manager Maurice-Jones had to make changes to his usual formation.

Striker Andrew Swarbrick was ill, which meant that Warren Duckett was tasked with stepping into Davies’ shoes.

Matthew Worrall was signed from Llay Welfare in the week to give more options up front and he started on the bench.

Denbigh had much of the early play and they looked to take control of the game, with their midfield having more possession.

Joe Culshaw and Craig Pritchard linked well for Pritchard’s shot to be well saved by his namesake Paul Pritchard in the Hotspur goal.

Soon after, Gareth Partridge fed Pritchard again and once again the keeper saved well. Pritchard was involved in another attack when a great through ball from Kristian Pierce found him unmarked.

With just Holyhead's Pritchard to beat, he squared the ball for Duckett, but there was too much pace on the pass and the ball ran out for a goal kick.

Town’s pressure eventually paid off in the 21st minute.

A superb ball from Corey Smart found Pierce in the box.

He controlled well and turned a defender before firing the ball into the net to give Denbigh a deserved lead.

Denbigh’s dominance continued for the remainder of the first half, but they could not find that second goal.

Duckett went close when his shot was blocked at the expense of a corner, while Pritchard also had a shot blocked.

Holyhead had their moments and they did make forays into the Denbigh area, but keeper Keighan Jones dealt confidently with everything that came his way.

Town had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down just before half-time.

Corey Jones slid in with a tackle that brought Duckett down, but referee John Jones adjudged the tackle to be fair and turned away the Denbigh claims.

Holyhead came out for the second half in determined fashion and they put immediate pressure on the home goal.

This bore fruit in the 51st minute when Dewi Thomas set up Jamie McDaid to fire into the net.

Denbigh responded well to this setback and they reclaimed the lead within three minutes.

Craig Pritchard’s shot ricocheted off a defender and into the net to make it 2-1.

Town made a double substitution by introducing Rakim Newton for Liam Smith and Joel Hewitt for Corey Smart.

Shortly afterwards, Duckett made way for debutant Matthew Worrall.

The fresh legs gave new impetus to Town’s attack, with Newton providing some excellent runs down the right wing.

He was instrumental in the third goal as his meandering run got him into the penalty area and he unselfishly laid a quality ball for Worrall to slot into the net after 66 minutes.

Newton was also involved in the fourth goal.

This time, he linked well with Hewitt and then passed for Pritchard to score his second of the night.

Denbigh were now completely in control and the fifth goal came after 84 minutes.

Worrall was able to slot home his second after Kristian Pierce and Newton worked well to set him up.