Denbigh Town have advanced to the Second Round of the Nathaniel MG Cup with a solid 1-0 victory away at Chirk AAA.

Mason Blackwell-Jones netted on his debut and takes the accolade of the first goal in North Wales this term, and handed Town their first win in the competition since beating Connah’s Quay Nomads in the Semi-Final way back in 2015/16.

Dewi Llion handed three debuts in the starting XI as Tom Weir, Ryan Kershaw and Blackwell-Jones all made their Denbigh bow at Holyhead Road. Meanwhile, Harry Lockley made his first start since December.

In a scrappy affair throughout it took 15 minutes for the first opportunity of note when Nathan Brown tested the goalkeeper who was well up to the challenge.

A minute later Aaron Jones was called upon for the first time when Dale Davies had the freedom of the penalty box but couldn’t beat the Town custodian who made a wonderful save.

Town had a chance of their own seconds later when Brown broke through down the left before being denied. Brown was a busy man in the early stages and came closest early on as he stepped up for a free-kick that he hammered against the crossbar before Weir followed up with a header that missed the target from just yards out.

Just after the half-hour mark Blackwell-Jones had a shot deflected out for a corner before Paul Fleming’s volley was blocked on the turn. On 38 minutes Brown came close again when his volley whizzed across the face of goal.

Finally, with three minutes to spare in the half Denbigh had their lead. A corner came in and the ball dropped to Blackwell-Jones who rifled an effort into the back of the net.

Half-Time: Chirk AAA 0-1 Denbigh Town

The second period began with Town on top, piling huge pressure on the Chirk backline, Harry Lockley almost had his first Denbigh goal when his superb run led to a cross which had to be clawed off the line.

Blackwell-Jones almost had a second with seven minutes played of the half as a long-throw came in and dropped to the midfielder on the edge who dragged his effort just wide.

The hosts made a couple of changes and they almost paid off immeditely, Iwan Hardy was set through before drilling one low and just wide. Denbigh responded as substitute Matthew Worrall delivered down the middle for Danny Clarke who smashed the ball past the goalkeeper but it slammed the top of the crossbar.
Max McLoughlin was involved throughout in the last ten minutes with a volley just missing the target before his free-kick deflected off the wall and into the arms of Jones.

Jones made a massive save right at the death to deny Chirk a leveller and a possible penalty shoot-out, and Town saw out the game to advance to the second round.

Denbigh Town: A.Jones, B.Lockley, Holmes, Thomas-Sadler, H.Lockley, Fleming, Kershaw, Blackwell-Jones, Clarke, Brown, Weir

Subs: Roberts, S.Jones, Bennett, Walker, Worrall