A SUPERB act of sportsmanship from a Denbighshire footballer has garnered praise across the board.

Denbigh Town under-12s played Kinmel Bay in a Rhyl & District Junior League match on Saturday.

During the contest, Denbigh player Aled Slingerland ran with the ball at his feet down the line to the touchline.

He cut the ball back for Denbigh to score a goal.

Kinmel Bay appealed that the ball had gone out of play near the touchline before and the referee didn't see it, or the assistant, so the goal was awarded. 

However, just before Kinmel Bay were due to restart the game, Aled spoke to the referee and said the ball had in fact just gone over the line and out of play before he crossed it in, so the goal should not count. 

The referee accepted this, disallowed the goal and commended Aled for his honesty and sportsmanship, which was applauded by supporters and coaches from both sides.

Joint-Denbigh Town U12s manager Mark Jones said: "I think Aled's been with the club since under-sevens.

"From then until under-11s it's non-competitive.

"Now they are under-12s, there's points at stake, but you don't instil that competitive aspect.

"The emphasis is we want a safe, friendly environment for the kids to play football.

"It's about teaching them to be decent people.

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"We have got some really nice lads in that under-12s group and it was really good to see.

"At the time, I don't think Aled realised what a big deal it was.

"It was a really nice touch and the reaction on Facebook has been overwhelmingly positive."

Alan Jones, the referee for the game, described it as "outstanding sportsmanship".

"Unusual to see such maturity and sportsmanship in one so young - brilliant Aled," he said.

The Rhyl & District Junior League has decided to award Aled the Nigel Warren fair play certificate for his act of sportsmanship.

"We are lucky our parents are all really supportive," added Mark Jones.

"They clap both teams when they score."