Denbigh’s winning ways continued with a comprehensive four goal rout over league leaders CPD Y Rhyl 1879. The result sees Denbigh needing eleven points from their five remaining games to claim the Lock Stock Ardal North West League title.

Local rivals CPD Y Rhyl have been league leaders for most of the season, but they were no match for a composed Denbigh side that stuck to a rigid game plan that paid dividends with goals coming from Jason Foulkes, Craig Pritchard, Paul Fleming and Jake Walker.

Town’s manager Dewi Llion Jones, fresh from winning the Lock Stock Ardal Manager of the Month for March , brought Paul Fleming and Sion Jones back into the starting line-up after an unconvincing 2-1 win over Hawarden Rangers in the week.

Both teams started positively with Rhyl coming out of the blocks at a tremendous pace as they looked to get the early goal. Denbigh’s defensive pairing of Dan Parry-Jones and Billy Holmes dealt admirably with the physical threat from Rhyl’s forward line of Taylor and Ellis.

After overcoming Rhyl’s early pressure, Denbigh took the lead after 10 minutes. Full back Ben Lockley took a quick throw in to Jason Foulkes. The midfielder took one quality touch to control the ball on the edge of the penalty are before bending a superb strike into the top right hand corner giving Rhyl’s keeper Wilmot no chance.

Denbigh started to take more possession and create more chances with Craig Pritchard and Nathan Brown linking well before Brown’s shot went wide of the post. Matthew Worrall followed this up shortly after when his shot went just over the bar .

At the other end Aaron Jones was called on to come quickly off his line and make a save from close range from Taylor.

As the half wore on, Denbigh’s Pritchard had two more long shots which didn’t trouble keeper Wilmot . Rhyl continued to battle and had a good spell before half time when Denbigh’s defence remained a solid unit with the dependable Keiron Roberts making some great challenges along with Sion Jones and Ben Lockley.

Denbigh came out for the second half with a determined attitude to increase the lead by playing a more direct game. This resulted in a Nathan Brown corner on 49 minutes which found the head of Paul Fleming but he was over stretching and his header went just wide of the target.

A minute later and Craig Pritchard scored Town’s second. And an individual solo goal it was as he won the ball cleanly in a solid tackle deep inside the Rhyl half, went forward and settled himself before sending a cross goal shot off the outside of his right foot low into the left hand corner of the net. The vociferous Denbigh supporters behind the goal went wild with delight as Town’s lead doubled.

Rhyl responded and when Alex Jones was fouled just outside the penalty area, the free kick beat Town’s wall only for Aaron Jones to show safe hands and gather safely under pressure from the Rhyl attackers.

Denbigh’s midfield were starting to control the middle of the park. Matthew Worrall was on the end of a great ball from Jason Foulkes with 68 minutes played. The striker toyed with his defender before playing a ball into the path of captain Paul Fleming who broke between two defenders to calmly slot home for Denbigh’s third goal - see photo

With a commanding three goal lead and twenty minutes left to play, it was time to start playing the game out and bring on fresh legs. Craig Rogers came on at left back for the hard working Sion Jones allowing Ben Lockley to move from left back position to right back. Sam Haddon came on for the skilful Nathan Brown with Jake Walker replacing the industrious Matthew Worrall.

Aaron Jones made a great double save to keep his clean sheet intact as Rhyl looked unsuccessfully for ways to claw a goal back

On 88 minutes Denbigh put the game really to bed when Jake Walker picked the ball up just inside the penalty area to let fly an absolute rocket which flew past Wilmot and give Denbigh a deserved four goal win.

A real statement from Denbigh after a lack lustre display against Hawarden Rangers in the week, the team can now see the finishing post and the chance of winning the league. It severely dented Rhyl’s hopes of promotion as this was their second loss in a week with Bangor 1876 now like Denbigh, in a stronger position to claim a top two place following their win over Rhyl last week and Llandudno Albion today.

Denbigh now have a week’s rest before their next game – away to Llangefni on Saturday 22nd April.

Denbigh Town Football Club

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