Town’s fourth pre-season match of the summer ended in defeat as Cymru Premier opposition proved too strong on our home return.

A trio of first-half goals from Matty Hill, Sam Turner, and Dylan Allshorn saw off Town who replied late in the second half through Tom Weir.

Denbigh were back at Central Park for the first time since May as they played host to the Seagulls in the wind and rainswept July afternoon.

The opening 25 minutes contained no real chances of note with the omission of a Seagulls opportunity that saw Sam Turner put the ball wide from just yards out at the back post.

Denbigh’s first sight of goal came with Ryan Kershaw’s speculative effort with 15 minutes gone, but neither goalkeeper was truly tested.

With 25 gone the deadlock was broken by a superb run from Dan Jones who laid the ball to Hill who slotted home nicely to give the visitors the advantage.

Just two minutes later the lead was doubled, Turner this time rifling a shot high into Aaron Jones’ net leaving him with no chance.

Colwyn Bay took control of the game and kept Denbigh under the cosh with a bombardment of the backline, showing the quality that saw them lift the JD Cymru North trophy as recently as April.

Three minutes before the break two became three as Allshorn - initially denied by some stern defending - hammered the ball into the net to punish Town.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town 0-3 Colwyn Bay

Bay had the first chance of the second half when Dan Jones ran through but was thwarted by the strong palm of Aaron Jones between the sticks ten minutes into the restart.

The Jones duo were at each other again when Dan was denied yet again this time by a double stop from the Town shot-stopper.

Town’s chances were limited, Brown had an effort from distance sail over before Mason Blackwell-Jones ran through, and fed the ball to Weir who was denied only by the hand of Bay’s trialist ‘keeper.

Weir, who was introduced at half-time had another effort with seven to play when his excellent run just left of centre resulted in testing the goalkeeper yet again and forcing a corner. Less than sixty seconds later, the Town forward had his reward.

Receiving the ball on the turn, Weir lashed a shot into the back of the net as it cannoned off the left post before nestling in the Bay goal.

Danny Clarke almost further reduced the deficit but his hit from distance blazed over before the referee brought the game to a halt.

Denbigh are back at Central Park on Tuesday with the visit of Connah’s Quay XI, kick-off at 19:30.

Image: Stephen Whitfield