Football: Denbigh Town FC show real promise on day one

Aug 20 2008 By Dave Jones

DENBIGH TOWN 0 GLANTRAETH 0

CYMRU ALLIANCE LEAGUE

ONLY the heroics of Glantraeth keeper Gareth OJ Roberts denied Denbigh an opening day victory at Central Park.

Roberts saved the best till last when he somehow tipped away an Ian Evans point-blank rocket destined for the top corner in the closing minutes.

"I don’t know how he got to it," said Town manager Tim Dyer. "There’s no doubt that their keeper was the difference between us winning and drawing."

Playing with a strong wind at their backs the home side enjoyed the greater share of possession during the opening stanza.

Keeper Roberts was soon in action for the Anglesey side, pushing over a strike from Denbigh’s Kevin Leech on nine minutes.

Ten minutes later Roberts made another fine save from Chris Williams before Darren Cassidy cut in from the left only to fire into the side netting as the Central Park side continued to ask most of the questions.

Glan were playing some neat football but hardly troubling home keeper Jamie Hulse until in the 34th minute he pushed away a Corey Sinnott effort at full stretch.

From the subsequent visiting corner Denbigh broke quickly away only for Cassidy to blast well wide.

There was confusion on 42 minutes as referee Martin Trigg awarded a penalty to the hosts after a challenge from Gareth Owen on Ian Evans.

Players of both sides looked bewildered at the decision and the referee was persuaded by the Glan contingent to consult his assistant. Trigg then reversed the decision and pointed for a goal-kick.

The final action of the half saw Leech head wide for the home side who despite their territorial advantage had in the main been well held by a solid Glantraeth back line.

Two minutes into the second period Gerallt Jones came close to turning in a cross from Sinnott but it was soon Denbigh pushing forward again, Roberts having to go full length to keep out a shot from Ian Evans.

The introduction of Gareth Wyn Roberts on 55 minutes gave Glan more attacking options and they began to really threaten for the first time with Emyr Rowlands striking a powerful shot from 25 yards that skimmed narrowly wide, then Sinnott drove into the side netting.

There was a great chance for Kevin Roberts on 73 minutes as a neat move gave him a clear sight of goal but his right foot shot failed to really trouble Hulse.

With five minutes remaining a corner kick from the left was headed inches the wrong side of a post by Warren Gibbs as the visitors looked to snatch all three points.

Denbigh were still not finished and it took the combined efforts of Darren Hughes and Gibbs to block a close range effort from the dangerous Leech, then with time running out came Roberts’ wonder save.