HAT-TRICK BALL SHARED!!

Denbigh went goal crazy at Central Park this afternoon hitting Blaenau for seven, although it could have been a lot worse had it not been for an outstanding performance from Cian Williams in the Ffestiniog goal and at times, some woeful finishing from the Reds which prevented this game being put to bed long before the half-time whistle.

Two hat-tricks, one from the colossal Stu Jones and the other from goal machine Mark 'Robbo' Roberts made this a memorable afternoon for Dewi Llion's men.

Both Kristian Pearce and Mike Sharples were missing due to injury, whilst Mark Roberts started on the bench having picked up a knock in the midweek win against Brickfield Rangers. Sam Tate came into the attack whilst Sion Jones replaced Matty Morris at right back with Leigh Craven starting in the centre of midfield.

Town started brightly and with only 2 minutes on the clock, Walker setup Jacob Barratt with a neat back heel, whose shot was well saved by Williams in the Blaenau goal. On 6 minutes Stu Griffiths with a long kick from hands put Walker in behind the Blaenau defence, but he could only pull his shot wide of the target.

Three minutes later, Stu Jones chased a clearance from the Blaenau defence which seemed a lost cause, turning back towards goal he found Walker at the far post with a well timed cross, only for his header to fall just wide of the right hand upright.

It was a case of when and not if Denbigh would score, and on 14 minutes Barratt found Walker on the edge of the box with a turn and cross, and his header fell into the path of Sam Tate who pounced to prod the ball past the advancing Williams. Chances were now coming thick and fast and Williams was yet again called into action on 24 minutes to spare Blaenau, leaping to his right to deny Tate who had turned to volley a Sion Jones cross.

Denbigh piled on the pressure with several clear cut chances spurned, before Stu Jones on 33 minutes, following a corner won on the right leapt above the Blaenau defence to power home a header from a Jacob Barratt delivery.

10 minutes later, this feat was repeated, Jones with a header from a Barratt corner, allowing Denbigh to go in at the break with a comfortable well-deserved 3-0 lead.

The second half started in similar fashion, with Walker on 46 minutes forcing Williams into a fine save. 2 minutes later, the dazzling feet of Barratt bamboozled and beat two defenders before unleashing a curling shot that saw Williams getting his fingertips to prevent yet another goal.

A minute later, the dynamic duo were at it again, this time Barratt with a free-kick finding Stu Jones to plant a header into the Blaenau goal for his hat-trick!

On 53 minutes, the manager, took the opportunity to rest some of is players, bringing Mark Roberts and the youngster James Thomas, on to make his first team debut, replacing Will Ashley, and Paul Fleming who had been a constant threat throughout, and on 59 minutes he changed his pack yet again bringing on both Matty Morris and the fit again Keiron Roberts for Sam Tate and Leigh Craven.

Roberts had barely been on the field, when on 64 minutes he latched onto a perfect pass from Walker to turn the last defender before smashing an unstoppable shot past the this time helpless Williams. A minute later, he was at it again, this time from 20 yards out, with an exquisite finish high into the roof of the net with the goalkeeper stranded.

On 76 minutes, Llion made his final substitution with player/assistant manager Owain Roberts rolling back the years coming on for Jacob Barratt who had tormented the Blaenau defence throughout. On 78 minutes Sion Jones almost got in on the action with Williams called into action yet again to stop a pile driver from the right back.

On 87 minutes, Owz proved that class is permanent, a cheeky through ball split the Blaenau defence for Robbo to latch onto and grab his hat-trick with a clever finish.

A convincing 7-0 victory, which could well have been a rugby score with Stu Jones and Mark Roberts splitting the hat-trick ball between them!

A big mention must go to the Blaenau travelling support who never stopped singing and encouraging their team from the off and made for a truly great occasion, and not forgetting Mr & Mrs Montgomery who stole the show ensuring the ground and facilities ran like clockwork today.

Next up for Denbigh is an away league game on Saturday 25th September against Rhostyllen with a 2.30pm kick off where we come up against ex Denbigh stalwart Warren Duckett.

Denbigh Town FC
Stuart Griffiths , Sion Jones, Stuart Jones, Moses Barnett, Billy Holmes, Paul Fleming (Capt) , Will Ashley, Leigh Craven, Sam Tate, Jake Walker , Jacob Barratt. Subs - James Thomas, Matty Morris, Keiron Roberts, Mark Roberts, Owain Roberts

Blaenau Amateurs
Cian Williams, Iolo Thomas, Oliuver Dukes-Morgan, Sion Hughes, Huw Parry, Cemlyn Owen, Morgan Slater, Iwan Jones (C), Gethin Roberts, Sion Roberts, Joseph Dukes-Morgan. Subs - David Jones

Referee – Andrew Peel
Assistant – Rheinallt Davies
Assistant – Caerwyn Davies

Attendance 129