On a sunny warm evening Denbigh were in seventh heaven as they comfortably took three points home from the Mornflake Mighty Oaks Stadium in Rhydymwyn. New signing Nathan Brown stole the show as he netted four times with Liam Simon, Paul Fleming and Sam Haddon also on the scoresheet.

Manager Dewi Llion Jones started with the same outfield players that started in the 2-0 loss to Llanrwst with goalkeeper Chris Wright coming in for the unavailable Aaron Jones. The team needed to bounce back to winning ways after a disappointing result in their opening fixture of the season.

In a bright start the visitors took control of the game with several early chances. Owen Cordiner’s shot on four minutes was well saved by keeper Thomson-Williams after good interplay from Nathan Brown and Dan Parry-Jones.

Liam Simon thought he’d scored his first Denbigh goal when his powerful header from Brown’s corner rifled against the post and into the arms of Thomson-Williams, with the Denbigh players all claiming the ball had crossed the goal line.

Denbigh’s pressure continued with Harry Lockley and Brown linking well down the left wing and causing the Rhydymwyn defence all kinds of problems. Sean James was proving effective in midfield, and he fed Cordiner who turned in the penalty area and shot only for the striker’s shot to be deflected away for a corner.

On 25 minutes the relentless pressure paid off with Harry Lockley sending a crisp low ball to the feet of Nathan Brown. The midfielder took one touch before firing in a low drive from 25 yards to break the deadlock.

Rhydymwyn responded and had a good ten minute spell when they threatened Denbigh’s goal but Billy Holmes and Liam Simon had formed a good central defensive partnership to keep the threat on Chris Wright’s goal to a minimum.

From a quick break Owen Cordiner found himself in a one on one situation with Thomson-Williams. He skilfully swept past the keeper only for a defender to bring him to the ground in the penalty area. Despite vehement shouts for a penalty from his teammates referee Gray waved play on.

Just as half time approached Brown grabbed his second after a clever lob from Dan Clarke on the byline saw the ball sail over Rhydymwyn’s defenders to Brown’s feet and he was able to slot home from ten yards.

Right on the half time whistle Rhydymwyn won a free kick just inside Denbigh’s half. As the kick was about to be taken, an incident off the ball saw the hosts Coel Lambert brandished a straight red card and Denbigh’s Harry Lockley a yellow card.

During the interval with Denbigh two up and a man to the good , Dan Clarke was replaced by new signing Sam Haddon to give the youngster a chance to have game time.

Rhydymwyn came out for the second half in a determined mood and within six minutes the ten men had pulled a goal back after some defensive lapses by Denbigh in failing to clear their ranks. Joel Griffiths took advantage of this failing and blasted a shot into the roof of the net from ten yards.

This stirred Denbigh into a reaction and three minutes later Nathan Brown found Liam Simon’s head from a corner and Simon headed home from six yards with his first Denbigh goal (see photo).

With a two goal cushion once again, it was an opportunity to give more game time to Denbigh’s substitutes with Craig Rogers replacing Harry Lockley and Paul Fleming replacing Sion Jones. Both replacements have had some time out with injury and it’s a welcome return for both players.

After some great strong play from Sean James in midfield, he was able to play a delightful ball to the feet of Sam Haddon who with one swift movement turned and bent a superb shot beyond the reach of Thomson-Williams and make it 4-1.

By now Denbigh were flying and the fifth came from Paul Fleming as he hit a sweet volley from 15 yards into the net.

At the other end Chris Wright had to have his wits about him as he pulled off a point blank save from the influential Nathan Mendoza.

Nathan Brown claimed his hat-trick on 88 minutes when Paul Fleming was played in by Sean James and laid a ball into the path of Brown who gave the keeper no chance from 10 yards.

Fittingly it was Brown who wrapped up the goals for the evening when deep into injury time he slotted home his fourth and Denbigh’s seventh.

A comprehensive win which gives the team confidence going into their next game on Friday evening against Flint Mountain at Central Park with a 7.45pm kick off.

Denbigh Town Football Club

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