Town lose out in Welsh Cup upset

A disappointing result saw Denbigh go out of the JD Welsh Cup to Mynydd Isa Spartans of the Wrexham Area Division One. The visitor’s striker Kallum Pierce bagged a hat trick as Denbigh twice came back from behind but where always chasing the Flintshire team who put in an excellent team display and deservedly go through to the 3rd Round.

Manager Dewi Llion chose the same starting eleven that played at Bodedern last week with Mark Roberts still not 100% fit to start and Kristian Pierce’s injury looking 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 chances for Jake Walker, Sam Tate and Billy Holmes but the early goal never came, and it was Mynydd Isa who took the lead on 15 minutes after a break down their left wing and 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 and out for a corner. Sion Jones had a strong shot that went just wide of the post and then had another shot blocked in the penalty area, possibly by a hand, but referee Owen waved play on.

Spartans then should have been two up as a goal mouth scramble saw a shot hit the Denbigh post and bounce away to safety.

Still Denbigh looked for the equaliser in an entertaining first half of football as chances continued to happen at both ends with the sides going in at half time with the visitors one up.

A stern half time talking to was met with a positive response from Town as on 54 minutes Jake Walker grabbed an 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 and Denbigh needed to search for an equaliser again.

Denbigh then had a host of chances with Dan Clarke going close and Sam Tate hitting the bar. Denbigh’s pressure had to tell and on 68 minutes it was Sion Jones firing home from 6 yards to equalise and make for an all to play for last 20 minutes (see photo).

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

Town looked for the equaliser with Billy Holmes coming the closest with his header being cleared off the line, but it wasn’t to be, and it is Mynydd Isa who go into the hat for the Third Round.

A disappointed Denbigh Manager Dewi Llion said after the game – “ We deservedly came away with nothing from the game as Spartans wanted it more than ourselves. We need to take a good look at ourselves as this is the second week we just haven’t performed. Defensively we let in three poor goals today and up front we should have taken the chances that were created”

Denbigh Town FC
Antoni Jan Sarnowski, Les Brophy, Dan Lloyd, John Terry, Miles Todd, Billy Holmes, Will Ashley, Sion Jones, Sam Tate, Jake Walker,, Danny Clarke. Subs : Owen Heath, Lewis Jenner, Owain Roberts, Conor Jones

Mynydd Isa Spartans
Mike Fleetwood, Sam Genders, Dane Shorrock, Ross Walker, Neil Wynne, Mike Whales, Adrian Davies, Joseph Jones, Sam Riley, Kallum Pierce, Kieran Jones. Subs: Chris Layne, Corey Bellis, Joe Robins, James Blackwell, Lee Silverster

Referee – Peter Michael Owen
Attendance - 66