ST ASAPH CITY 0

DENBIGH TOWN 6

VALE of Clwyd bragging rights belonged to the lads from Central Park.

Denbigh marched into the second round of the Mawddach Cup in comfortable fashion after hitting neighbours St Asaph for six in a game of two halves. Returning to haunt his former club, Jake Walker claimed his third hat-trick of the season, with the other goals coming from Paul Fleming, Mark Roberts and Dan Clarke.

Denbigh went into the break with a one-goal advantage, but when St Asaph centre half Jamie Brewerton received his second yellow card on 48 minutes, the hosts were reduced to 10 men.

This heralded the floodgates to open with Denbigh scoring three goals in the next five minutes, followed by a further two later in the half.

With regular keeper Antoni Sarnowski having a shoulder injury, Denbigh manager Dewi Llion had signed the experienced Joe Griffith as a replacement. The outfield was the same line-up as a week before when Denbigh had beaten Bodedern 3-0.

The first half was an even game with few chances for either side.

The usual local derby competitiveness was apparent as tackles flew in on a bitterly cold December afternoon.

St Asaph picked up four yellow cards in the first half as referee Rhodri Dafydd stamped his authority on the game.

With Denbigh having a good spell towards the end of the half, the ball was played into the St Asaph penalty area and it fell to Jake Walker, who had slipped to the floor.

Walker rose with the ball at his feet to lay it back to Paul Fleming and the former St Asaph player was able to fire home from 12 yards and give Denbigh a 1-0 lead.

St Asaph responded and debutant Griffith had to pull off a fine save from James Williams, whose low shot from 10 yards was gathered safely by the keeper.

The new keeper had a confident start and protected his goal soundly to keep St Asaph at bay.

The second half burst into life on 48 minutes with a ball down the left wing for Denbigh captain Mark Roberts to latch onto and head for goal at pace. His break was curtailed by a late challenge by Brewerton and after consulting his assistant, referee Dafydd showed Brewerton his second yellow card and the hosts were down to 10 men.

From the resulting free kick, Jacob Barratt floated in a pinpoint delivery for the unmarked Jake Walker to head in with power and give Denbigh their second.

Two minutes later and Denbigh had their third after some great one touch football.

Paul Fleming found Chris Bennett, whose low cross was met by Mark Roberts to slot in from six yards.

Denbigh were making the extra man pay and on 53 minutes, they had another.

After controlling on the edge of the box, Jake Walker slotted the ball into the net.

Substitute Dan Clarke was on the scoresheet on 66 minutes.

A superb long looping ball from right back Sion Jones just inside the St Asaph half found Clarke running into space in the penalty area and the youngster was able to coolly slot home.

The consistent Dan Lloyd was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when he displayed some amazing skill to flick the ball goalwards over his and a defender’s head and his resulting shot just dipped over the bar.

Jake Walker claimed his hat-trick on 80 minutes when his shot from 16 yards rifled into the top corner of the goal, giving Wilmot no chance.

Walker is in a rich vein of goalscoring form and he now has 26 for the season in all competitions.