CORWEN 0

LEX GLYNDWR 0

A REAL rarity greeted a large crowd at Corwen on Saturday... the sunshine!

Looking to cement their top-three position in the Premier Division of the Wrexham Area League, Corwen entertained Lex Glyndwr at War Memorial Park.

The visitors had a lot of the early play, but they didn’t trouble Corwen keeper Nathan Aldridge.

The home side's first chance of the afternoon fell to Joe Williams, but he sent his shot wide of the target.

With quarter-of-an-hour on the clock, Williams was able to get past keeper Tom Belton and shoot at goal, where his effort was saved by the outstretched arm of centre back Craig Hughes.

He tried to claim he had got to the ball with his head, however referee Alan Alexander was having none of it, showing Hughes the red card and pointing to the penalty spot.

Hughes' place in the centre of the defence was taken by former Welsh international Steve Evans, who was previously playing as a striker.

Joe Williams sent the spot kick towards the corner of the goal, but Tom Belton pulled off a great save to keep it goalless.

Corwen continued to press and Joe Williams' shot from the edge of the box went over the bar.

Soon after, a cross was played towards Ryan Billington, who could only send the ball over the top.

Steve Davies sent a shot wide in a rare opportunity for Lex and 10 minutes before the break, the ball was crossed to Joe Williams, whose brilliant first touch took the keeper out of the equation.

However, a brilliant last-ditch tackle from a defender prevented Corwen’s chief marksman from getting a shot away.

The last attempt at goal of the half fell to Lex player Josh Phillips, but he sent his powerful shot wide of the target.

Corwen hit their opponents with a quick move early in the second half.

This ended with Scott Evans sending a shot at goal and when it took a deflection, Belton did well to readjust and make a save.

Belton was at it again two minutes later.

Ioz Jones curled his shot at goal, but the Lex number one was able to pull off another good save.

Turning to the 53rd minute and Joe Williams' header looked in all the way, only for Belton to pull off a another brilliant save.

Corwen looked like they were going to be awarded a second penalty when Scott Evans was brought down.

Joe Williams grabbed the ball and put it on the penalty spot, only for the referee to award a free kick on the edge of the paint on the 18-yard line.

Scott Evans took the set piece and his curling effort looked in all the way, however it ended up clipping the post.

Evans was given another free kick opportunity, this time from within the penalty area, as Belton picked up the ball from a back pass.

This time, he passed the indirect free kick to Joe Williams, who blasted his effort wide of the target.

Corwen continued to press for that vital opening goal and with just under 20 minutes to play, Joe Williams sent a low cross into the penalty area.

Andrew Roberts slid in to get a toe to the ball in the six-yard box, but his attempt went agonisingly wide of the post.

As the game entered the 90th minute, Ryan Billington headed the ball towards Andrew Roberts, who mishit his shot.

It looked like a certain goal, however Belton was able to somehow pull off a world class save to prevent Corwen from picking up all three points.