DENBIGH WANDERERS 4

MYNYDD ISA VETS 7

A SPIRITED fightback just came up short for the determined Denbigh Wanderers.

The newly formed Wanderers welcomed Mynydd Isa Spartans Vets to St Asaph Leisure Centre's 3G in the latest round of matches in Division One of the North East Wales Veterans' League.

Denbigh’s massive squad was tested to the brink and they were only able to field 14 on the day after a number of deadline day signings.

Isa got off to the best possible start by opening the scoring after only 18 seconds.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side as they soon found themselves 3-0 down.

The Wanderers managed to regroup and hold out a bit longer before finding themselves 4-0 adrift after half-an-hour.

A change in formation saw Denbigh now have two up top and this resulted in a change in impetus.

Garry Knuppel's diagonal ball into the box was headed home by makeshift striker Russ Vaughan.

Hotshot Vaughan then added to his tally right before the half-time whistle when he turned on the edge of the area and put the ball into the top corner.

Three injuries towards the end of the half meant that Denbigh had no ability to make changes in the second stanza, so the 11 on the pitch would have to continue regardless.

Mynydd Isa once again started brightly and they added another effort to extend their lead to three goals again.

Denbigh started to play some good football and they were looking increasingly dangerous.

Russ Vaughan completed his hat-trick after powering a header home from a lovely Si ‘Ferret’ Jones cross.

The gap between the teams was cut to just one goal when a long free kick from deadline day signing Rob Render was beautifully flicked on by the combative Tom Wilcox-Jones into the path of Vaughan, who slotted past the advancing keeper for his fourth goal.

The other makeshift striker was the energetic Si Jones, who was put through with a chance to equalise, but he was so unlucky to see his effort ricochet off the right-hand post and across the goalline.

Other good chances for Denbigh came from Ger Lloyd and Tom Wilcox-Jones, who both left the crossbar rattling from distance.

To rub salt into the Denbigh wound, Mynydd Isa added two more goals to their tally late on.

Next up for the Denbigh Wanderers is a league fixture at home to Holt and Farndon Vets on Sunday, November 17.

Denbigh Wanderers wish to thank their sponsors: AJ Field Electrical & Mechanical; PK Joinery; Pen y Bryn Autos, Denbigh; Morris Funerals, Trefnant; Mark Webster; and Les and Sandra at The Old Farmhouse Air B&B, Groes.

Denbigh Wanderers squad: Chris Brown, Sion Davies, Dai Kelly, Dai Leonard, Rob Render, Ger Lloyd, Gerwyn Jones, Garry Knuppel, Tom Wilcox-Jones, Jack Croft, Gaz O’Loughlin, Si Jones, Gareth ‘Googz’ Roberts, Russ Vaughan.