Denbigh Town ended their season in style running out comfortable winners against fifth placed Llanuwchllyn. Two goals from Mark Roberts along with strikes from Jake Walker and Jacob Barratt were enough to secure the three points

The win sees them finish their season top of the Lock Stock Ardal North West League on goal difference from Mold Alexander with both teams on 68 points. Mold have four games in hand so are strong favourites to win the League

The race for second place remains with third placed Porthmadog on 63 points with three games left to play and their last game being away to Mold Alexander. The season is a long way from being over yet.

Town manager Dewi Llion Jones was able to select the same starting eleven that had beaten Llanrwst five days ago with Mark Roberts playing just off the two strikers Josh Davies and Jake Walker. Paul Fleming and Keiron Roberts continued in their midfield holding role where they have done so well during the season.

In an entertaining first quarter of the game both sides had early chances. Mark Roberts came closest for Town after Sion Jones sent in a teasing free kick to the penalty box, but Roberts’ shot was easily saved by Dascalu in the Llanuwchllyn goal. Prys Jones forced Denbigh’s Aaron Jones into a fine save when the defender had a superb chance for the hosts to take the lead, before being adjudged to have been offside.

Billy Holmes and Dan Clarke were linking up well along the left wing as Denbigh started to take control of the game. First Holmes jinxed his way into the penalty area only for his cross to be blocked for a corner. From Clarke’s corner Mike Sharples headed straight into Dascalu’s arms. Then Clarke had a shot from 20 yards that rattled the crossbar

Denbigh’s pressure told in the 18th minute. Hard working midfielder Keiron Roberts latched onto a loose clearance from Llanuwchllyn and his 20 yard shot had Dascalu at full stretch to palm the ball away for a corner. From Clarke’s corner Mark Roberts met the ball and was able to flick his header away from Dascalu into the net to give Denbigh a deserved lead.

Llanuwchllyn responded almost immediately but once again they were foiled by Denbigh’s defensive trap as Iwan Roberts thought he was through on goal only for the assistant referee’s flag to be raised for offside.

With half an hour played Josh Davies was fouled just on the edge of the Llanuwchllyn penalty box. Dan Clarke took the free kick which went just over the wall but also over the crossbar.

As the half was coming to a close, Denbigh had a great chance for a second. Once again it was a Billy Holmes cross proving difficult to defend and Mark Roberts’ header from the far post went just wide of the target. Other chances presented themselves to Town’s attackers, but they had to be content with a slender 1-0 lead at half time.

Llanuwchllyn came out for the second half with more attacking purpose and Town’s keeper Aaron Jones had a busy first fifteen minutes keeping his goal intact. Central defenders Craig Rogers and Mike Sharples have formed a good understanding with each other and looked in control of most areas especially any high balls being sent goalward.

At the other end Jake Walker was unlucky not to get his 26th league goal of the season when he latched onto a brilliant cross from Sion Jones, but his header clattered the crossbar and over the bar.

Llanuwchllyn upped the ante and had a ten minute spell of chances. First Garmon Hafal rose highest at a Llanuwchllyn corner only for his powerful header to be safely gathered by Aaron Jones. Shortly after Iolo Jones broke Denbigh’s offside trap and was in a one on one situation with the young keeper Jones, only for Craig Rogers to come to Jones’ assistance and make a goal saving tackle to thwart the attacker. Then Jones pulled off an exceptional save as Sam Tyrer tried to lob him from 10 yards.

Denbigh needed the comfort of a two goal cushion and it came courtesy of a penalty on 75 minutes. Billy Holmes was moving at speed into the penalty area on his left flank when he was crudely pulled to the ground and referee Dukes had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Jake Walker stepped up to fire to Dascalu’s right hand side and finally get his 26th league goal of the season – this seasons’ top marksman for Town ( see photo).

Fresh legs were now called for as Sam Tate and Jacob Barratt replaced Josh Davies and Dan Clarke and within five minutes of the change Denbigh had their third. Sam Tate drilled a low fierce cross into the box and Mark Roberts was there to glance a header into the corner of the net for his second goal of the evening.

A minute later and Barratt knocked in the fourth with a well placed finish, and Denbigh and their travelling supporters were now able to fully relax for the final few minutes

Harry Lea came on for Jake Walker and with almost his first touch the youngster had a great chance to make it 5-0 only for John Evans to block Lea’s shot

Seconds later and it was all over and so was Denbigh’s season. Now it’s a question of waiting to see the outcome of other results over the next few weeks to see if they’ve have done enough to get a chance of promotion.

Llanuwchllyn
Rob Dascalu, Owain ap Gareth, Prys Jones, Ceri James, John Evans, David Prysor Jones, Gwydion Ifan, Iwan Jones, Garmon Hafal, Iolo Jones, Iwan Roberts : Subs – Ilan Hughes, Sam Tyrer

Denbigh Town
Aaron Jones, Sion Jones, Mike Sharples, Craig Rogers, Billy Holmes, Paul Fleming, Keiron Roberts, Dan Clarke, Mark Roberts, Josh Davies Jake Walker : Subs – Moses Barnett, Matty Morris, Aled Williams, Lewis Devine, Owain Roberts

Referee – Colin Dukes
Assistant – Darren Vaughan
Assistant – Rhys Llewelyn Williams

Attendance -74