It was honours even at Central Park this evening as Denbigh Town Reserves opened their campaign with a goalless draw with rivals Ruthin.

Town had the honour of hosting the first-ever FAW Reserve League North game but couldn't find the net despite a dominant display in front of a bumper crowd of 200 or so supporters.

Liam Nash handed reserve debuts to seven players in the starting XI as Gethin Rogers, Elliot Smith, Connor Lloyd, Aleksander Cyra and James Thomas and Owen Herbert all joined in the summer whilst Rhys Lloyd came up from the under-16s for his senior debut.

It took just five minutes for Denbigh to carve out their first chance as Olly Hansen picked up the ball from Hansen deep and fired an effort just wide as a warning sign to their rival.

Town were well on top in the opening exchanges with Ruthin barely getting out of their own half. but just couldn't test goalkeeper Morgan Edmunds. On 17 minutes following a Herbert strike that found the side netting Thomas had a shot well blocked as his effort looked destined for goal.

It took 33 minutes for Ruthin to test Denbigh custodian Dan Jones, as Sion Jones played in Tom Griffiths who should have scored one-on-one but Jones got down low to make a brilliant stop.

Denbigh replied to the visitors' chance as a cross from the left met the head of Cyra but the goalkeeper was equal to it before Herbert's effort on the turn flashed wide.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town Reserves 0-0 Ruthin Town Reserves

The second half was a far less frantic affair than the first, with both sides equal to eachother and limiting any real chances of note until the final 20 minutes.

The game sprang back to life on 70 minutes when Hansen danced through the middle of the Ruthin half before putting a shot over the bar. Ruthin may have been limited in possession but they did come the closest with five minutes to spare as Elgan Hughes' shot from range crashed against the post. Seconds later Denbigh broke and Aled Rees-Williams was fed the ball in the box but his shot was blocked by a recovering defender.

Denbigh's best chance came with three minutes to spare as a corner was swept in and headed into the side netting by Herbert. A minute later Herbert was back in the thick of the action when his mazy run fed Hansen who fired inches over.

Denbigh Town Reserves will next be in action at home to Gresford Athletic on September 9th, with the next scheduled game against Mold cancelled due to a fixture conflict.

Denbigh Town Reserves: D.Jones, J.Jones, Rogers, Smith, Lloyd, Griffiths, Cyra, Hansen, Lloyd, Thomas, Herbert

Subs: Devine, Rees-Williams, Lea, Hughes, Roberts

Referee: Aaron Gray