Denbigh maintained their position at the top of the Lock Stock Ardal North West League with what was in the end a deserved win after the visitors had had the better of the first forty five minutes.

Two goals in each half from Jake Walker and one from Jacob Barratt helped secure the points after Ashley Fon Owen had equalised for the visitors on the stroke of half time.

Before the game began a minute’s silence was well observed by everyone at the ground in memory of Gary Speed on what was the 10th anniversary of the Welsh icon's death.

Denbigh were without the injured Mark Roberts, Lee Davey and Leigh Craven with Stuart Jones still suspended. This gave the opportunity for two seventeen year old players, Lewis Devine and Aled Williams from the Youth team to join the squad.

The tail end of Storm Arwen saw a windswept game at Central Park on a bitterly cold afternoon in front of some hardy dedicated supporters from both sides. Denbigh fans were soon warmed up by Jake Walker’s first goal after 11 minutes. Some great play by Billy Holmes down the left flank saw him feed his way past two defenders to send in an exquisite ball to the far post for Walker to tap in from two yards.

Rather than build on this great start , Denbigh allowed the visitors to get back into the game and they were unlucky not to equalise from an attempt which rattled Denbigh’s crossbar. Sam Jones had a great chance to extend Denbigh’s lead after some strong work by Sam Tate to feed in the striker, but his shot went into the side netting.

Jones had another effort shortly after when Sion Jones and Jake Walker linked well to lay a ball onto Jones, but his shot caught the wind and went well over.

With half time almost due , Nantlle Vale got their deserved equaliser after a mix up in the Denbigh defence with Ashley Fon Owen taking advantage of the situation to slide the ball home.

Paul Fleming almost gave Denbigh the lead straight afterwards with a curling left foot shot from just outside the area, but his effort cannoned off the post and bounced away to safety

A stern half time team talk saw Town come out in another frame of mind for the second half. Jacob Barratt immediately forced a fine save from Owain Roberts in the Vale goal as he parried the ball away for a corner. From the corner the ball fell to Barratt whose well timed low shot was well gathered by Roberts.

A change of tactics on 57 minutes by the Denbigh management team saw Sam Tate replaced by Moses Barnett. Will Ashley moved into midfield, with Barnett joining the impressive Mike Sharples in the centre of defence.

Within five minutes Denbigh were ahead and this time Barratt had his goal after two close chances. Sam Jones played an integral part in the goal with a superb ball which split the Vale defence and allowed Barratt to sprint into the penalty area and slide the ball under the advancing Roberts.

A second yellow card to Vale defender Robert Daniels on 71 minutes meant that Denbigh were able to capitalise on having the extra man and with 76 minutes played they extended their lead. Once again Sam Jones was involved as he sent in a cross which found Barratt whose shot was saved only for the rebound to land to the feet of Jake Walker who back heeled the ball into the net - see photo.

This two goal cushion allowed Denbigh to play out the game and also give a welcome return to first team action for Matty Morris who has been out injured for a few games as he came on as substitute.

Lewis Devine came on for his first team debut and had some good moments in his time on the pitch as he staked a claim for future appearances. Aled Williams also came on as a sub and had a chance to get on the score sheet as he battled well up front to create space to let fly a shot which went just wide of the target.

In the end this was a comfortable win, but that disguised a first half in which Town’s play was scrappy and the visitors put them under pressure for large parts of that half. It’s a welcome three points as Denbigh turn their attentions to the Northern League Cup next week with an away tie at Llanuwchllyn – kick off 2.00pm

Denbigh Town
Joe Griffiths, Sion Jones, Mike Sharples, Will Ashley, Billy Holmes, Keiron Roberts, Paul Fleming, Sam Tate, Sam Jones, Jacob Barratt, Jake Walker : Subs – Moses Barnett, Matty Morris, Aled Williams, Lewis Devine, Owain Roberts

Nantlle Vale
Owain Roberts, Aled Williams, Mathew Davies (Capt), Sion Pollard, Cai Morgan, Sion Williams, Ashley Fon Owen, Jamie Thomas, Guto Gwenallt, Dafydd Roberts, Robert Daniels, ; Subs – Gethin Jones, Jamie Jones, Phil Warrington, Daniel Bell, Daniel Evans

Referee – Tony Samuel
Assistant – Connor Eoin Fowler
Assistant – Alan Jones

Attendance - 87