A disappointing result for Denbigh in their last game of 2022 as they went down 3-1 at the Essity Stadium to a competitive and well organised Flint Mountain team. It was almost a month ago since Town’s last game and this defeat saw their six match winning run come to an end.

Postponements along with teams pulling out of the league have meant Town have missed three weekends of football whereas the hosts have played two games over the last few weeks and match sharpness played a factor in the result. This was always going to be a close encounter and Flint Mountain took the points with all the goals coming in the second half.

The win takes Flint Mountain up to third in the table with Denbigh staying in sixth position but having only played eight league games so far this season compared to Flint Mountain’s twelve games played.

Craig Rogers and Jake Walker returned to Town’s starting eleven with Dan Parry- Jones moving to the bench and Jason Foulkes being unavailable.

In a frenetic first half chances were few and far between for both sides. Flint Mountain had the benefit of playing with a blustery wind and their striker Sam Jones had the first real opportunity of the game after 19 minutes when he broke through the Town defence only to shoot wide from 15 yards .

Sion Jones responded for Town with an attempt at the other end which flew wide of the target , before Nathan Brown’s well struck low shot was goalbound, only for a defender to deflect the ball away for a corner. From the corner Jake Walker’s header was cleared off the goalline.

Just before half time, Ben Brierly broke the Denbigh defence again and his well struck shot from the left hand side of the penalty area was blocked by Craig Rogers with a last ditch lunge to force the ball out for a corner.

Half time came with no score, but within five minutes of the restart, Flint Mountain had a penalty. A long ball down the Flint Mountain right wing towards Calyn Spencer saw Town’s Harry Lockley and the winger clash near the penalty area. Referee Hannah pointed to the penalty spot despite claims the clash was outside the box ( see photo). Oh, for VAR in the Ardal League. Kyle Smith stepped up to hit the ball past Town’s Aaron Jones and Flint Mountain had the lead.

Town reacted and Nathan Brown shot from the left wing, but keeper Danby was able to safely gather the ball . Kerion Roberts had a long shot that was on target only for a deflection to take the ball for a corner.

Town’s pressure continued and Jake Walker had two chances set up by Paul Fleming , the first being a pass from the byline to Walker on the penalty spot but the shot went wide. Then just minutes later Fleming crossed for Walker’s header to beat the keeper but just clip the top of the crossbar and go over.

Just as Denbigh appeared to be getting on top, Flint Mountain broke through Town’s defence and the ball fell to ex Denbigh player Corey Smart. His first shot at Aaron Jones was well saved as the keeper palmed the ball away, only for Smart to latch onto the rebound and fire home Flint Mountain’s second goal after 71 minutes.

Now Denbigh were up against it , but it was not until the 86th minute that they got any reward for their hard endeavour and persistence in attacking the hosts’ goal. A corner from Nathan Brown reached the goalmouth and after some scrambling the ball fell to Ben Lockley and he fired home to make it 2-1.

Time was against Denbigh now as they pressed forward for the equaliser. Still they battled and Ollie Hansen had two close attempts in quick succession. His first went wide of the post and the second was tipped over the crossbar by keeper Darby.

As Denbigh continued to press deep into injury time, so they left themselves vulnerable at the back and with all their players in Flint Mountain’s half , the ball was cleared up to unmarked striker Ben Brierly on the half way line. Brierly kept his composure to bear down on Aaron Jones’ goal and fire the ball into the net to make the final score 3-1.

Denbigh Town Football Club

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