DENBIGH TOWN 2

LLANDUDNO ALBION 3

A FRIDAY night defeat saw Denbigh Town being knocked off top spot in Division One of the Lock Stock Welsh Alliance League by visitors Llandudno Albion.

In front of a crowd of over 200 on a showery autumn evening, both sides contributed to an enthralling game, with all of the goals coming in an action packed second half.

Denbigh captain Mark Roberts returned to the starting line-up after a few weeks away with injury.

Roberts was the only change to the Denbigh team that had won a week earlier at Penrhyndeudraeth.

The first half saw most of the game being played in midfield, with few chances to either team.

Denbigh’s efforts on goal were limited to a Mark Roberts shot on 12 minutes, after Will Ashley had fed him with a great ball, and then later in the half John Terry went close with a header from a Billy Holmes corner.

Albion had a couple of chances, but Denbigh’s defence held firm and the sides went in level at half-time.

The second half was a different story, with Albion coming out of the blocks looking for the first goal.

John Terry was forced into an excellent goal-saving tackle on 48 minutes, but a minute later Albion were in front thanks to a well-struck shot from Dan Evans.

Denbigh responded well and it was young Sion Jones who equalised for Town on 53 minutes with a great strike from 20 yards.

The game had stepped up a gear and tackles were flying in, with referee Rhodri Dafydd having his work cut out keeping things flowing.

Denbigh had two free kicks in quick succession deep into the Albion half and Chris Bennett floated the ball in on both occasions.

The first was cleared by the Albion defence, but the second fell to Jake Walker’s head and the striker was thwarted by a great save from Jones in the Albion goal.

With the game now end-to-end, Albion broke down the right wing and from a low cross, the ball fell to Dan Evans again and he was able to fire home from six yards to give the visitors a 2-1 lead after 75 minutes.

Dan Clarke and Stu Vernon came on for Denbigh as the hosts searched for an equaliser.

As the Denbigh team pushed forward, this inevitably saw gaps appearing at the back and it became 3-1 on 87 minutes.

Peter Jones sent a shot past Sarnowksi with Town's defenders in hot pursuit unable to catch him.

However, Denbigh responded well again as four minutes later Jake Walker got his head to a cross and it was 3-2, but now it was deep into injury time.

Despite over six minutes of injury time being played, Town were unable to find the equaliser and it was the Albion who ran out winners and they are now the league leaders.