Denbigh Town Reserves returned to action after the Festive break with a dominant 7-2 thumping of Porthmadog.

An Aled Rees-Williams hatrick as well as strikes from Gethin Rogers, Matthew Blake, Rhys Lloyd and Owen Herbert secured the points.

Manager Liam Nash handed a debut to Ryan Williams whilst Jack James was also named in the squad for the first time this season. Just before kick-off Harry Lea pulled up in the warm-up and was replaced by substitute Tommy Hughes.

It took just seven minutes for the first strike of the game, as a superb corner routine between Rees-Williams and Herbert backheel it to the former before rushing through to slam home from a tight angle.

Just two minutes later the lead should have been doubled when Lloyd rushed down the right, beat his man at the byline before forcing the keeper to make a stop, though he could have squared it for two onrushing Town forward eagerly awaiting the ball in the box. He felt the frustrations of those who looked to receive it when Herbert rushed through and went for goal himself moments later, but couldn’t find the net.

Three goals in as many minutes followed starting on 27 minutes when Rees-Williams raced through following a ball over the top and finished calmly, but less than 60 seconds later Deion Hughes found the net from distance to halve the deficit. But, in a barmy few minutes Rees-Williams turned provider squaring the ball for Geth Rogers to tap home his first of the campaign.

Ten minutes before the break a Town free-kick was stood over by Blake, he curled a cross into the box which caught the wind and sailed over the flailing arms of the visiting custodian. To make matters worse on the stroke of half-time, Rees-Williams completed a first half hatrick from the right which landed in the net via a deflection.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town Reserves 5-1 Porthmadog Reserves

Porthmadog though down by four hadn’t given up and came out for the second period looking bright. Within ten minutes they had their second when Hughes stepped up for his second lashing home a free-kick.

The visitors continued to press but shooting was wayward as Town invited pressure, but they left no doubt who would be picking up the points with two strikes late on. First, with 76 minutes to play Lloyd finally had his goal as he was sent through and scuffed an effort into the bottom left corner.

Town opened the scoring on seven minutes, and had their seventh and final goal with seven to play, as Blake was brought down in the penalty area and Herbert smashed the ball down the middle to round off the scoreline.

In the dying embers, Lloyd received a second booking of the match having earlier kicked the ball away when offside, and then was late on a challenge deep in Port territory.

The match came to an end with Town securing three points and moving up to 5th in the FAW Reserve League North, with the next game for Nash’s side a trip to Llandudno next Sunday.

Denbigh Town Reserves: Owen, Devine, Williams, Smith, Blake, Griffiths, Rees-Williams, Herbert, Hughes, Lloyd

Subs: Matischok, Roberts, James, Nash, Lea

Attendance: 73

Referee: Gareth Hughes