CORWEN 1

BRYMBO 2

CORWEN are still favourites to claim this season's Wrexham Area League Premier Division title, but there is little room for error.

Danny Jellicoe's charges were beaten 2-1 over the weekend in their top-of-the-table clash at home to Brymbo.

As things stand, Corwen trail second-placed Brymbo by three points, but they have two games in hand over their rivals.

Corwen are seven points adrift of leaders Queens Park, but they do have four games in hand.

A beautifully sunny Saturday afternoon greeted both sets of players and a large crowd for this highly anticipated encounter.

The visitors got off to the best of starts.

An under hit backpass was played to home keeper Dylan Jones, whose panicked clearance under pressure went to Brymbo’s Ben Kearney and he slotted the ball into the far corner of the net after just 25 seconds.

Corwen tried to respond when the ball fell nicely for Dale Davies, whose volley looked like it was heading in, but it went just over the crossbar.

Soon after, it was the turn of Dominic Doherty to try his luck and his low shot was saved by Lewis McNamara.

At the other end, Ben Kearney went in search of a second goal as the ball was played out to him from a corner, but his shot from the edge of the box went over the bar.

The last chance of the half fell to the visitors when Jamie Cumming pinged a shot at goal from distance, but Dylan Jones gathered at the far post.

A pivotal moment arrived on the hour.

Jamie Cumming got through on the Corwen goal and after taking on Dylan Jones, he ended up on the ground.

Despite some onlookers claiming there was no contact between the pair, the referee awarded Brymbo a penalty and sent Jones off.

With no goalkeeper on the bench, Ryan Billington donned the gloves and he defied the odds to then save Jaques Stuart's penalty.

Corwen looked for an equaliser and in the 78th minute, Sam Henry played a free kick into the Brymbo box.

It was saved by McNamara.

After gathering the ball, the keeper launched it forward to Kearney, who scored his second goal of the afternoon.

It was game on again just four minutes later, though.

The Brymbo keeper couldn't gather a shot, allowing Joe Williams to run in, collect the ball and slot it into an unguarded net to set up a grandstand finish.

Nathan Davies' shot went over the bar as Corwen sought a leveller, while the hosts were calling for a penalty in stoppage time for handball, but the referee waved away the claims.

In the sixth minute of stoppage time, the ball was played across the Brymbo goal to Scott Evans, who had an opportunity to grab an equaliser.

However, he didn’t get the right connection and sent the ball over the bar from close range.