REPORT | Denbigh Town Reserves 5-5 Gresford Athletic Reserves

Denbigh Town Reserves grabbed their second consecutive draw this weekend as they shared ten goals with Gresford on a bonkers afternoon at LL16.

Rhys Lloyd (brace), James Thomas (brace), and Aleksander Cyra were on the scoresheet in a barmy contest that also saw two red cards - one for each side.

Liam Nash made some changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Ruthin Town with Matthew Owen stepping in between the sticks, whilst Billy Holmes continued his return from injury by starting and playing 90 minutes. Owen Herbert and Rhys Lloyd both started having come on as late substitutes less than 24 hours earlier against Airbus for the first-team.

The game began as is meant to go on, frantic. Within seven minutes Denbigh had the lead when a ball was pulled back by Lloyd and found Cyra who proded home from close range.

However, within 60 seconds the visistors were level as Charlie Mann's effort from the right of the box beat Owen in the Town goal.

Five goals were scored in the opening half-hour with four of them falling to Athletic as the floodgates opened, James Reynolds scored two in quick succession before Callum Wakefield made it 4-1 after just 27 minutes.

16-year-old Lloyd helped spark a comeback on 36 minutes when his close range shot pulled a goal back before he slotted away a penalty in stoppage time.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town Reserves 3-4 Gresford Athletic Reserves

Within eight minutes of the restart, Denbigh were level as Thomas grabbed his first of the afternoon and what a strike it was. Edge of the box on the left he curled one into the top corner to restore parity.

As with the nature of this ding-dong affair Gresford of course put themselves back ahead as Jack Pridding smashed an effort down the middle from the edge of the box on the hour mark.

The final goal came with 16 minutes to play as Thomas was fed in just right of centre and guided the ball into the bottom left corner. Gresford defender Lewis Wilcox's reaction in the aftermath saw him brandished a red card.

Denbigh were however unable to capitalise on the man advantage which was sure to frustrate manager Liam Nash, and with 86 minutes gone the advantage dissapeared with Aled Rees-Williams shown an initial yellow card before a red for dissent.

Denbigh Town Reserves are next in action on Friday night as we play host to Holywell Development at Central Park. This fixture has moved from the Saturday which was initially scheduled. Kick-Off at 19:30.

Denbigh Town: Owen, Devine, Smith, Holmes, Geth Rogers, Blake, Griffiths (c), Cyra, Herbert, Thomas, Lloyd

Subs: Rees-Williams, Lea, Roberts, Hughes, Gruff Rogers

Referee: Tony Hepton