DENBIGH TOWN 3

RUTHIN TOWN 0

DERBY delight belongs to the lads from Central Park.

The big Boxing Day encounter between Denbigh Town and Ruthin Town went the way of the hosts by a 3-0 margin.

It was a feisty affair throughout and the star of the show turned out to be Lewis Sirrell, who grabbed a hat-trick.

This eagerly awaited Huws Gray Alliance derby certainly lived up to its expectations in a captivating game full of incident.

In front of a bumper crowd of almost 700, Denbigh's Miles Todd picked up a yellow card after less than a minute following a late challenge.

The first chance came in the fourth minute when Ruthin keeper Ryan Goldston saved Mark Roberts' effort.

The visitors responded and Kevin Evans’ header from a corner went just wide.

Ruthin had a great chance to break the deadlock after half-an-hour.

Llyr Morris was fouled in the box by Tony Davies for referee Mike Gray to point to the spot.

However, it remained goalless as Craig Vernon brilliantly kept out the penalty from Morris.

The first goal came on 38 minutes, as Pat Hinchcliffe sent in a pinpoint cross for Lewis Sirrell to head in from 10 yards.

Denbigh doubled their advantage early in the second half and it was that man Sirrell who struck again, firing home from 20 yards.

Sirrell volleyed home superbly to complete his hat-trick six minutes from time.

Ruthin refused to throw in the towel and they were awarded a second penalty when Llyr Morris was again fouled in the box.

Denbigh’s defenders protested at the decision, during which Curtis Langton received his second yellow card.

Substitute Ryan Jones stepped up to take the penalty kick and once again Vernon guessed correctly to produce another tremendous save.