Denbigh progressed into the Third Round of the FAW Trophy after scraping a narrow 3-2 win at Central Park over Dolgellau AAFC. First half goals from Craig Rogers, Jake Walker and Nathan Brown were enough to beat the visitors who went down to 10 men after 64 minutes and yet managed to make life difficult for Denbigh who failed to really capitalise on having the extra man.

Dolgellau play in Tier 3 of Welsh Football like Denbigh and are in the Lockstock Ardal North East League where they stand in 7th position. Denbigh are also in 7th position in their league the Lockstock Ardal North West League and so on paper this was going to be an even tie

With a full squad to choose from , Denbigh’s manager Dewi Llion Jones changed his starting line up from the Llanrwst game last week with both the Lockley brothers starting as full backs along with Dan Clarke moving into midfield. Billy Holmes and Sion Jones moved to the bench which also saw Keiron Roberts and Ollie Hanson in the squad as both are returning to fitness after injuries over the summer months.

Denbigh started on the front foot and Dan Clarke was unlucky to see his low drive being parried away by Cian ap Carwyn Williams in the Dolgellau goal for a corner.

With 16 minutes played , Denbigh had the lead. A fierce drive by Liam Simon from outside the box cannoned off the bottom of the goal post into the path of Craig Rogers who coolly slotted home from close range.

Dolgellau responded well and within four minutes had equalised from an excellent team goal which saw half a dozen players involved before the ball was played into the penalty box and the impressive Gerwyn Williams finished well from six yards.

It was all happening as a minute later Denbigh had the lead back thanks to an exquisite cross field ball from Dan Clarke which split the Dolgellau defence and allowed lethal striker Jake Walker to fire home with his left foot from ten yards (see photo).

Ten minutes later with 34 minutes played Town had their third with a well worked goal off the training ground which saw Nathan Brown’s half volley blasted into the net from twelve yards.

Just on the stroke of half time Paul Fleming thought he’d got Denbigh’s fourth, but his curling right footed shot just missed the target with the Dolgellau keeper well beaten.

With a comfortable two goal lead, Town allowed the visitors back into the game on 50 minutes when Gerwyn Williams bagged his second goal to make the score 3-2. When Jake Jones was brought down in Denbigh’s penalty area, referee Petch pointed to the penalty spot. Williams’ well placed penalty shot was brilliantly saved by Denbigh’s keeper Aaron Jones who finger tipped the ball onto the post , but the ball rebounded into the path of Williams who slid the ball home form very close range.

The visitors stepped up a gear but were soon on the back foot as their right back Harri Davies received a second yellow card and his team were reduced to ten men after 64 minutes.

Denbigh were now able to control the game and had chance after chance to seal victory. However, chances came and went without any hitting the target. Jake Walker , Nathan Brown, Morgan Thomas Sadler and Dan Parry Jones all had good opportunities whilst at the other end Gerwyn Williams was looking for his hat-trick and defenders Liam Simon and Craig Rogers had to give him their full concentration.
The defensive pairing have formed a good understanding in recent weeks and compliment each other with their attributes and were solid against the Dolgellau forays up front.

With ten minutes left to play Jake Walker thought he’s had his second of the night when Harry Lockley’s cross was sent across goal at pace with Walker sliding into connect only to agonisingly see the ball go wide of the target.

Now Denbigh were getting jittery as Dolgellau won a free kick deep into Denbigh’s half and deep into injury time. Their keeper, ap Carwyn Williams came up for the kick leaving only Jon Harrison in defence. The free kick was blocked by Nathan Brown who was standing 10 yards from the ball and the nippy midfielder broke free at pace with only Harrison to beat. He reached the penalty area and chipped the defender only to see his shot hit the post and bounce away to safety.

A further nervy two minutes followed for Denbigh before the final whistle went and Denbigh are in the hat for the next round.