Denbigh remain top of the Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division One thanks to a 70th minute Dan Clarke goal which came shortly after Glan Conwy were reduced to ten men. Whilst the win was welcomed it was not the most convincing of performances from Town with them having plenty of ball but not the killer instinct to capitalise on their possession.

Manager Dewi Llion Jones, fresh from winning the Queensferry Sports Manager of the Month for August, selected Dan Clarke and Jonathan Terry to replace the injured Mark Roberts with Sion Jones moving to the bench.

On a warm sunny afternoon, it was Jonathan Terry who had the first chance within two minutes when his half volley went just over the bar. Shortly after Stuart Vernon sent a dangerous cross into the box which Sam Tate just failed to get his head onto as Denbigh dominated the possession. Dan Clarke had a chance when he cut in from the right and curled in a shot just wide of the left hand post.

Half time came with neither side having troubled the goalkeepers and Denbigh made a change with Will Ashley replacing Conor Jones in midfield.

Glan Conwy’s keeper Adam Jones was called into action when Sam Tate twisted and turned and shot but the keeper was able to collect comfortably. Stuart Vernon then had a shot saved before Jake Walker got his boot on the end of a Dan Clarke free kick only to see his shot rebound off the crossbar.

With 64 minutes gone a rash challenge by Glan Conwy’s Thomas Rooney saw referee Matthew Bridges brandish a straight red card and the visitors were down to ten men.

Six minutes later and Denbigh were ahead when Sam Tate did some great work and fed the ball to Dan Clarke who was moving into the area and he was able to fire with venom into the roof of the net (see photo).

Denbigh looked comfortable now but still were finding opportunities to extend their lead limited with Glan Conwy’s defence proving difficult to breakdown. Tate and Clarke both had chances as the game went into the final stages with Tate’s attempt cleared off the line and keeper Jones bringing of a fine save from Clarke’s shot.

Manager Dewi Llion Jones said after the game “This was not our best display by a long chalk and yet we managed to get the win. I felt we were in control of the game throughout but could not get that penetration at times to really put pressure on the Glan Conwy goal. Credit to Dan Clarke with another well taken goal and to all the lads who put in a good shift today in very warm conditions.”

Denbigh Town FC

Antoni Jan Sarnowski, Stuart Vernon, Dan Lloyd, Les Brophy, Miles Todd, John Terry, Conor Jones, Billy Holmes, Sam Tate, Jake Walker, , Danny Clarke. Subs : Owen Heath, Owain Roberts, Sion Jones, Will Ashley

Glan Conwy
Adam Jones, Darren Landers, Thomas Shorrocks, David Sinkinson (Capt),Liam Griffiths, Thomas Rooney, Jordan Phillips, Ben Jarvis, Keating Hoe-Pike, Ian Pattinson, Jamie Jones. Subs: Cory Young, Joshua Grant, Thomas Conchie, Sam Tidswell, Matthew Sykes.

Referee – Matthew Bridges
Assistant – Glenn Gray
Assistant – Jack Dettlaff

Attendance - 100