Superb Hassall hat-trick helps secure a great win.

Eddie Maurice-Jones gave debuts to keeper Jon Hill-Dunt and defender Ben Nash, as he looked to strengthen his defence, but it was the forwards who started so well.
Hassall’s first was a 25 yard screamer on 3 minutes which flew past Littleford in the Guilsfield goal. His second on 6 minutes was made by Gareth Partridge as he found space to lay Hassall on for a shot which he curled and was slightly deflected to loop over Littleford. On 12 minutes Partridge became goal scorer as he was given plenty of time to shoot from 20 yards by the Guilsfield defence and passed the despairing Guilsfield keeper. Hassall got his hat trick on 14 minutes when Andrew Swarbrick created space to lay a perfect ball onto Hassall to place passed Littleford again from 12 yards.

Guilsfield were stunned at this start and looked to make amends by coming close from a shot from outside the penalty area that skimmed the bar and a strong shot from within the penalty area that Hill-Dunt partially saved and then smothered the ball on his goal line.
The first half then became a more even contest with Denbigh playing at a fast tempo and with Guilsfield’s defence tightening up. No further goals saw the Town go in at half time 4-0 up.

The second half saw a more determined effort from the visitors as they looked to peg back the score and they increased the pressure on the Denbigh goal.
On 56 minutes Town introduced another debutant with full back Nathan Williams replacing the injured Andrew Stockton.
Then on 62 minutes a strong Tony Davies tackle on Guilsfield forward Jack Richards was deemed a foul by referee Jenkins and a penalty was awarded. Jake Cooke scored from the spot to make it 4-1 and give Guilsfield a glimmer of hope.
They continued to push forward and on 80 minutes were punished when Town’s Craig Pritchard broke free from the half way line and crossed to an unmarked Jake Eyre who made it 5-1 with a cool finish
Guilsfield weren’t finished and after a goalmouth scramble in the Denbigh box, substitute Adam Jenkins knocked the ball in to make it 5-2 on 84 minutes. A minute later the same player was on hand to make it 5-3 from a cross just after Denbigh had a claim for a penalty turned down for a push on defender Ben Nash.

The home crowd then had a nervous end to the game as Guilsfield piled on the pressure before Town sub, Alan Bull had a chance to make it six for Denbigh but was harshly ruled offside after some great work by Jake Eyre.
A great start to the New Year from the Town against a strong Guilsfield team. The introduction of new players has meant more competition for places within the team and they are playing in a confident manner, with a strong sense of belief in themselves.
They move forward to their next game on Friday 13th January when they return to Caernarfon for a league game, kick off 8.00pm at the Oval.

Teams
Denbigh – Jon Hill-Dunt, Jack Riley, Andrew Stockton, Ben Nash, Tony Davies, Keiran Gaul, Gareth Partridge, Craig Pritchard. Aaron Hassall, Jake Eyre, Andrew Swarbrick. Subs, Alan Bull, Phil Molyneux, Steve Wright, Liam Smith, Nathan Williams

Guilsfield – Dave Littleford, Calum Bromley, Chris Cathrell, Stuart Rogers, Sam Litchfield, James Henderson, Louis Irving, Nathan Leonard, Aaron Edwards, Jake Cooke, Jack Richards. Subs Adam Jenkins, Mark Davies, Dan Barton, Lee Andrew

Referee – Rob Jenkins – Guilsfield
Assistant – Sion Davies – Wrexham
Assistant – John Spender – Mold
Attendance – 110