Braces from Andrew Swarbrick and Mark Roberts gave them a 4-1 as they conceded their first goal this season albeit from the penalty spot.

Before the game Denbigh were dealt a blow when midfield maestro Warren Duckett failed a fitness test but he was replaced by the impressive Tom Allen in the starting line up. Denbigh started slowly in the first ten minutes and Llanberis forced a few corners and had long range efforts which were dealt with well by the back four and goalkeeper Mike Jones.

When Denbigh settled they played some good football and Swarbrick nearly got on the end of some brilliant flick-ons from the lively Mike Lundstram. The referee was showing leniency towards the home side as they repeatedly fouled Williams-Cooke’s men as they surged forward but they could do nothing to prevent Swarbrick 20 minutes in. A great through ball from the back led to him outpacing the defence before brilliantly crashing the ball into the far corner with his right foot. Soon after the lead was doubled by the same player in clinical fashion. The ball was worked out form left to right by Allen then Lundstram to Swarbrick who seemed to lose the chance before brilliantly dinking the ball over the keeper.

Denbigh threatened to run riot at this point as Allen stung the palms of the keeper from the edge of the box then the keeper kicked away a low Kristian Pierce screamer. Somehow Owain Roberts ended up being the first person booked for the visitors despite some strong tackles by several of the Llanberis players. Half time couldn’t come soon enough for the home team as Denbigh made it nearly 600 minutes without conceding a goal this season.

Llanberis came out at half time looking like a different team and put Denbigh under pressure from the start while Denbigh looked weary from the physical first half. They were forced into a triple substitution with Owain Roberts, Mike Lundstram and Nathan Peate replaced by Jonny Slater, Mark Roberts and Liam Jones. This unsettled the away team and around the hour mark the Llanberis number 11 crashed a fierce 20 yard effort of the underside of the bar which Mike Jones scrambled to safety.

The pressure was intense by now and minutes later Llanberis were awarded a penalty after a push by captain Max Peate. Last years league top scorer David Jones smashed the penalty straight down the middle to reduce the arrears. Llanberis poured forward and Slater twice brilliantly denied them with great tackles. Denbigh were still a threat going forward though through the pace of Roberts and Swarbrick.

With twenty minutes left Denbigh’s nerves were settled as substitute Mark Roberts guided the ball into the net from a left wing cross. Moments later and the game was safe as a Max Peate long ball was flicked on by Swarbrick for Roberts to strike the ball through the keepers legs and into the net to make the score 4-1. Max Peate then headed a Pierce corner onto the post in the last minute but Denbigh held out to claim an impressive win.

This week sees a break from league action as Denbigh travel to Lex X1 in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Welsh Cup. The game will be held at Stansty Park and kick off is brought forward 1pm.