DENBIGH TOWN 2

MYNYDD ISA SPARTANS 3

THERE was a shock at Central Park as Denbigh Town's involvement in this season's JD Welsh Cup came to a halt.

A disappointing result for Denbigh Town saw them depart the competition at the hands of Wrexham Area League Division One outfit Mynydd Isa Spartans.

Kallum Pierce's hat-trick was the key to the outcome as Denbigh twice came back from being behind, but they were always chasing the Flintshire team, who put in an excellent team display to deservedly go through to the next round.

Denbigh manager Dewi Llion chose the same starting XI that had played at Bodedern seven days earlier, with Mark Roberts still not 100 per cent fit to start and Kristian Pierce’s injury looks to be more long term.

The visitors have been in good goalscoring form over the last few games and they had the first chance, with John Terry putting in a great goal-saving challenge.

Denbigh responded with opportunities for Jake Walker, Sam Tate and Billy Holmes, but the early goal never came.

Instead, it was Mynydd Isa who took the lead after a quarter-of-an-hour.

Following a break down the left wing, Kallum Pierce was able to control and fire past Antoni Sarnowski in Town’s goal.

Denbigh reacted and Jake Walker pulled the ball back to Dan Clarke, whose shot was well saved by Fleetwood at the expense of a corner. Sion Jones had a strong shot that went just wide of the post and he then had another shot blocked in the penalty area, possibly by a hand, but referee Owen waved play on.

However, Spartans should have been two-up as a goalmouth scramble saw a shot hit the Denbigh post before bouncing away to safety.

A stern half-time talking to was met with a positive response from Town, who levelled on 54 minutes.

Jake Walker grabbed the equaliser and it was game on.

However, all the hard work was undone a minute later when a lapse in concentration saw Kallum Pierce get his head to the ball and claim his second.

Denbigh then had a host of chances, with Dan Clarke going close and Sam Tate hit the bar.

Town’s pressure had to tell and on 68 minutes, Sion Jones fired home from six yards to equalise and make for an all to play for last 20 minutes.

It was end-to-end stuff, with opportunities falling to both sides, but it was Spartans’ Kallum Pierce who got the winner on 85 minutes after a great run by winger Kieran Jones.

His cross found Pierce with time and space to head home.

Town looked for another equaliser in the closing stages, with Billy Holmes coming the closest with his header being cleared off the line.