Denbigh Town saw out their home campaign at Central Park with a victory on Good Friday against Penrhyncoch.

The visitors knew coming to LL16 that a point could relegate Ruthin at the bottom of the JD Cymru North, whilst Town looked to end the season strong and secure their place in the top half.

Nathan Brown’s set piece proved to be the difference as he grabbed his 89th goal for the club, cementing him at the third-highest goal scorer in recorded history for the club.

Dewi Llion was forced into a number of changes with Alfie Vaughan, Sion Jones, Dan Flanders and Gwion Dafydd unavailable. Oli Farebrother returned to the squad whilst Jac Humphreys also came into the XI. Luke Johnston started his first game since October as he returns from injury. On the bench, Mike Pearson returned whilst Reserves Rhys Lloyd, Jac Jones, Morgan Fricker and Aled Jones took a place, the latter for the first time.

One name that stood out in the lineup was Keiron Roberts, who this week announced his retirement at the end of the season, and looked to wave farewell to Central Park with a victory after six years.

Within the first five minutes of the contest there were chances at both ends with Penrhyncoch having the first sight at goal. Niall Coleridge was received the ball in the box square but his early effort was saved well by Farebrother. Moments later Town registered their first chance when a switch from left to right found Nathan Doforo, but his left footed effort was sliced wide.

Town continued early pressure, winning a corner on nine minutes, and Nathan Brown stepped up for the set piece, swinging it into the box and looping over everyone, and nestled into the back of the net. He had a chance for a second four minutes later when his free-kick fizzed wide from 25-yards.

Half an hour in the visitors were denied a leveller when Geoff Kellaway broke free on the right before Farebrother’s strong hand tipped the ball behind. Six minutes later Farebrother was called into action once more when Tomos Owen was free down the left flank, but again the Town custodian was there to deny him.

Half-Time: Denbigh Town 1-0 Penrhyncoch

In a slower second half from a Town point of view, the first chance came on the hour when Doforo crossed for Brown who struck on the turn, but was denied really well by Leigh Jenkins.

Just seconds later, the game changed when referee Nick Davies became the star of the show, unable to resist handing Ben Lockley a red card for what was, by all intents and purposes, a great challenge near the touchline. Down to ten with half an hour to play, Denbigh had to batten down the hatches against a Roosters side desperate for points and a card-happy official who’d begun to lose control.

There would be a moment for reflection on 63 minutes when Dewi Llion made his first change. Roberts was applauded by all in the ground as he departed the pitch at Denbigh for the final time, and was replaced by veteran Pearson.

Penrhyncoch were now bombarding Town territory, Owen again down the channel got into the box before being shielded by Johnston and substitute Fricker, before his effort was tipped away by Farebrother. The Roosters had the ball in the back of the net on 75 minutes when a cross from the right was headed home by Rhys Jenkins, but the flag was up for offside.

Town had a golden opportunity to to seal it with 11 left when a free-kick into the visitors’ box was punched away poorly before falling to Fricker, who somehow lifted the ball over the bar just yards out.

Perhaps the closest the visitors came was with six minutes to play, as Owen’s cross ended up dropping on to the crossbar.

Town held on with ten-men for a victory to see out the home season with three points, and will end the campaign on April 18th away to Caersws.

Denbigh Town: Farebrother, Lockley, D.Davies, Cooke, Doforo, K.Roberts, McHarrie, Humphreys, Johnston, Brown, O.Davies

Subs: Wilmot, A.Jones, J.Jones, Fricker, Lloyd

Attendance: 238

Referee: Nick Davies

POTM: Oli Farebrother - A superb performance, a clean sheet and some crucial saves.