RUTHIN TOWN 3

CORWEN 0

SPOT-ON Ruthin Town claimed the derby day honours on Saturday.

In the final match of the decade at Memorial Park Fields, Ruthin played host to local rivals Corwen, with almost 400 spectators in attendance.

It was the home side who had the first opportunity.

After four minutes, Dylan Jones made a great point blank save, with the rebound falling to a Ruthin player, who saw his effort being headed off the line.

At the other end, Corwen’s Matthew Williams found the bottom corner of the net with a fine finish beyond Ryan Goldston, but he was unable to celebrate as the offside flag had been raised.

Turning to the 24th minute and Dafydd Evans looped a high ball into the Corwen box, which was perfectly weighted for Gwion Owen to run on to.

However, he could only put the ball over the bar after breaking free of the Corwen defence.

A couple of minutes later and the ball was played to Llyr Morris in the Corwen penalty area, but he was prevented from getting a shot away after being tackled.

The ball duly went through to Wil Owen, whose shot went wide of the target.

Former Ruthin Town player Tom Williams collected the ball and ran at goal soon after for Corwen, leaving two defenders in his wake and getting into an area where he could see the whites of keeper Ryan Goldston’s eyes, but he could only send his shot narrowly wide of the target.

Ruthin thought that they had taken the lead when the ball dropped nicely for Llyr Morris, who despite being under pressure from Mathew Williams and Harry Pooler, found the back of the net.

However, this goal was disallowed when Morris was penalised for a foul.

In the closing stages of the half Tom Williams was tackled in the Ruthin penalty area, with the loose ball going through to Eilir Edwards, whose cross had just too much pace on it for two oncoming Corwen players.

Into stoppage time and Dylan Jones was able to pull off another save to keep the score level and when the rebound fell to Gwydion Ifan, his shot was blocked.

Early in the second half and Corwen threatened when Joe Williams' header went agonisingly close to going in as it ran along the goal-line.

Shortly after this, Williams fired in a shot and Ryan Goldston just about got to the ball on the ground.

The turning point in the game came on the hour mark when Llyr Morris was brought down in the penalty area, resulting in the award of a penalty kick.

Morris picked hinself up to take the spot kick and he sent Dylan Jones the wrong way to make it 1-0.

Victory was effectively sealed Ruthin's favour in the 85th minute.

The ball was played into a crowded Corwen box and Craig Wilkinson’s close range shot just about crept in near the post.

Two minutes later and the result was well and truly rubber stamped after Llyr Morris found the back of the net with a good finish.