Robbo double sees Town through to Quarter Finals

Denbigh moved into the Quarter Finals of the FAW Trophy thanks to a brace from captain Mark Roberts. In a game dominated by a wind which strengthened during the match, Roberts played a real captain’s part leading by example by battling for every ball and getting his reward with goals in both halves.

Town manager Dewi Llion made one change from the team that drew with Holyhead Hotspur last week with Chris Bennett coming into the starting line up with Dan Clarke moving to the bench

Like Denbigh, Rhos Aelwyd play in Tier 3 of Welsh football and are in the Welsh National League Premier Division (Wrexham Area). Having claimed the scalps of Rhostyllen and Gaerwen in previous rounds, Denbigh knew the opposition’s league position of thirteenth gave a false picture and went into the match with a firm game plan to take control of the game from the start.

Playing with the wind behind them in the first half, two attempts in the first minute showed Denbigh’s intentions. Mark Roberts’s lob went just over Rhos’ keeper Daniel Roberts’ head and Chris Bennett was unlucky to see his low strike go just wide of the target.

After ten minutes Roberts had his first goal (see photo). The promising young Jacob Barratt picked the ball up in the middle of Rhos’ half. He fed Jake Walker who made headway towards the penalty box and laid a ball into the path of Roberts who fired low across Daniel Roberts’ goal with the ball hitting the net off the inside post.

Instead of going on to dominate the rest of the half, Denbigh allowed Rhos to come back into the game as the visitors had a good fifteen minute with plenty of possession in the middle of the park. Denbigh’s defensive partnership of Billy Holmes and Jonathan Terry were the stumbling block as the duo limited Rhos’ attempts on goal with some great defending along with Joe Griffith in Town’s goal dealing comfortably with any attempts from Rhos.

As the half progressed Denbigh’s Chris Bennett was unlucky when Rhos keeper Daniel Roberts pulled off a great save and shortly after Jacob Barratt’s 20 yard free kick curled over the bar only to hit the base of the goal post with Roberts stranded.

Half time came with Denbigh unable to take full advantage of having the wind behind them. The second half saw them start positively with Jake Walker immediately making room for a shot from 12 yards only for Roberts to gather his shot.

Town continued with the pressure with Mark Roberts going close and then Jake Walker hitting the bar with a header and Chris Bennett unable to capitalise on the rebound.

On 60 minutes Walker was fouled just outside the box. Chris Bennett’s shot hit the wall and rebounded to Paul Fleming who lobbed the ball into the danger area. Mark Roberts beat keeper Roberts in an aerial battle and after a couple of ricochets the ball ended in the net.

With the comfort of a two goal cushion Denbigh immediately gave Rhos a chance to get back into the game by conceding a needless penalty for a soft foul. Ryan Jenkins stepped up and blasted the ball past Griffiths in Denbigh’s goal.

Ten minutes later and Rhos could have equalised. Directly from a Rhos goal kick with the wind behind it, sub Ian Hughes had a brilliant first touch and hit a volley from 35 yards out which had Griffith in Denbigh’s goal scrambling backwards and grateful to see the ball landing on the top of the net.

Jake Walker was then unlucky to see his header from a Chris Bennett cross go just over before Denbigh were forced to make a change on 71 minutes when Jacob Barratt was on the receiving end of a crude challenge from Aled Parry. Parry received a yellow card from referee Owen who controlled the game well in difficult conditions.

Dan Clarke replaced Barratt and shortly after with Rhos having another good spell, defender Les Brophy came on for striker Jake Walker as Denbigh looked to protect their slender lead and avoid extra time.

Manager Dewi Llion said after the game “This wasn’t the best of displays from ourselves but importantly we got the result. Robbo was outstanding once again with his commitment and he got his reward with two goals. Rhos proved to be difficult opponents who played some good football at times and whilst we limited their chances on Joe’s goal to a minimum, we should have done more in the first half when we had the advantage of the wind behind us. Its great to be in the hat for the Quarter Final and we look forward to the draw”.

Denbigh Town FC
Joe Griffith, Sion Jones, Dan Lloyd, John Terry, Billy Holmes, Chris Bennett, Will Ashley, Jacob Barratt, Paul Fleming, Jake Walker, Mark Roberts. Subs : Les Brophy, Moses Barnett, Owain Roberts, Dan Clarke

Referee – Thomas Gary Owen
Attendance - 53