Flashback: Denbigh charity football game from 1993 produced dramatic ending

Denbigh Town Select 3 (Gareth Jones, 2 own goals)
Rhieni Ysgol Twm o’r Nant 3 (R Watkin-Jones 2, C Howatson)
Charity Match – May 27, 1993

The long arm of the law ensured Denbigh Town escaped with a draw from this entertaining charity match played 27 years ago at Central Park.

Police officer and substitute goalkeeper Bob Rowlands produced a cracking double save from a penalty five minutes from time to make certain it ended all-square.

Bob firstly saved Clwyd Howatson’s spot-kick and then brought the house down when he kept out the rebound too.

Before the end, Bob made a couple of other fine stops to complete a five-star man of the match display.

The Denbigh Town Select was chosen by local sports reporter Dave Jones and included first team squad regulars Garry Wayne Jones, Shaun Kelly, Andy Jones, Mark Lewis, Allan Jones, Mike James and Paul Clayton.

Stars of yesteryear Peter Garner and Popsie Griffiths also made an appearance, as did first team manager Bill Dawson, club secretary Gareth Jones and Supporters Club secretary Bob Rowlands, while another local journalist, Bill Howell, joined fellow scribe Dave in donning the boots.

Reserves team manager John Clayton and occasional player Stewart Clarke made up the 16-man group.

Twm o’r Nant, led by headteacher and referee Elis Jones, had some good talent on show too, including the Watkin-Jones brothers, David and Rob, Godfrey Hayes, John Jones, plus Llandyrnog United secretary Dewi Lewis.

Denbigh started well and took a 2-0 lead courtesy of a Gareth Jones (Gagsy Green) strike and an own goal.

Twm o’r Nant then settled and played some excellent football, only the heroics of Garry Wayne Jones denying a reply.

By half time, however, the school side were level thanks to net-finders from Rob Watkin-Jones and Howatson.

Clarke was among the players to appear in the second half for Town, and was very impressive, but Twm o’r Nant stayed on top and deservedly went in front through Rob Watkin-Jones.

Denbigh responded and an Andy Jones header was turned into the net by a Twm defender to make it two own goals for the home team.

Then came that what has to be said rather dubious late penalty (well it was a charity game) which saw late sub Rowlands emerge the hero.

All funds raised went to Ysgol Twm o’r Nant.