DENBIGH TOWN 0

RHYL 2

DERBY honours on Friday night belonged to the Lilywhites.

On a bitterly cold evening at Central Park, Rhyl come out winners in their local derby with Denbigh Town.

Ex-Denbigh players Ben Nash and Kristian Pierce netted the goals in the second period.

Denbigh battled well throughout in this keenly awaited fixture, which also saw the opening of the new clubhouse.

Denbigh had beaten Rhyl in the League Cup earlier in the season and they were able to welcome Tony Davies and Sam Downey back into the starting XI, while Miles Todd was suspended.

With Rhyl manager Eddie Maurice-Jones being in charge at Denbigh last season, the game had an added interest with four of last season’s Town team in their starting XI, with another two on the bench.

Joint-Denbigh boss Matty Jones had been in charge at the Lilywhites last season and he fielded two ex-Rhyl players in his starting line-up.

Rhyl were looking to extend their winning run to nine consecutive wins, but it was Denbigh who enjoyed the better start.

Bailey Jackson sent in a great cross, which fell to Pat Hinchcliffe and his shot was saved by John Hill-Dunt in the Rhyl goal.

Rhyl responded with James Murphy firing his effort wide.

Denbigh had a strong claim for a penalty in the 16th minute when Mark Roberts was brought down in the penalty area, but referee Cheryl Foster waved play on.

Still Denbigh pressed and Tony Davies' effort was gathered by Hill-Dunt.

Soon after, Sam Downey made a great interception and fed Jordan Barrow, but his shot went just wide of the post as Denbigh enjoyed their best spell of the game

Rhyl had their moments too, with Town keeper Craig Vernon being forced to make a save from James Murphy’s free kick.

Denbigh’s central defenders Curtis Strong and Tony Davies were limiting Rhyl’s chances, although Vernon was also called upon to make a save form Joe Sullivan’s shot from within the penalty area.

Elsewhere, Rhyl wing back Aaron Hassall was receiving plenty of the ball on the left wing, but he was well marshalled by Stuart Vernon, who has made a welcome return back to first team action.

Denbigh looked to build on their first half performance after the break and Scott McHarrie was unlucky to see his well drilled shot just miss the target.

Mark Roberts broke into the penalty area and his low shot forced Hill-Dunt to make a great save.

Rhyl responded and Tony Davies made an excellent challenge to halt Barry Torrence at the expense of a corner.

It was from this set piece that Rhyl’s first goal came after 64 minutes.

Denbigh failed to clear and Ben Nash prodded the ball home from close range.

Jordan Barrow picked up a knock and Jake Walker replaced him as Denbigh looked for an equaliser.

However, Rhyl extended their lead with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

A challenge by Tony Davies was penalised with a penalty award and Rhyl substitute Kristian Pierce fired his spot kick beyond Vernon.

Despite the two-goal deficit, Denbigh never gave up and from Pat Hinchcliffe’s free kick, Jake Walker's diving header was saved by Hill-Dunt.

Mark Roberts then saw his shot go just wide of the post shortly before the final whistle.