Denbigh Town victory marred by injury to influential Kristian Pierce

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST

Denbigh Town 2 (Walker 23, S Jones 61)
Brickfield Rangers 1 (White 52)

Report: Iwan Jones

Unbeaten Denbigh edged into the top six of the Lock Stock Ardal North West League with a first win on their new Central Park pitch on Wednesday evening.

Town manager Dewi Llion Jones called Jake Walker into the starting line up, along with Jacob Barratt. With keeper Joe Griffith unavailable, Stuart Griffiths deputised between the sticks and produced a confident display.

After Stuart Jones twice threatened the away goal, Barratt forced a great save from Rangers’ keeper Jamie Griffith, who then did well to keep out a Mark Roberts header.

At the other end Brickfield had two excellent chances to take the lead when a superb cross from the right wing just eluded the stretching legs of Andrew Vale. Minutes later and James Parry’s shot blasted against the woodwork.

With 23 minutes played Denbigh took the lead when from a cross into the Brickfield penalty area a powerful header could only be parried by keeper Griffiths into the path of Walker, who pounced to score.

Barratt and Roberts went close for the hosts before half time, while Stuart Griffiths had to pull out another fine stop.

Half-time: 1-0

The second half burst into life on 52 minutes when Brickfield levelled through Aaron White.

Ten minutes later and Town were ahead again, when the effective Barratt sent in a perfect corner for Stuart Jones to climb above the Brickfield defence and direct a powerful header into the net.

Denbigh’s joy turned sour a few minutes later when influential midfielder Kristian Pierce went crashing to the ground, clutching his knee after a collision.

After a lengthy spell on the floor, he hobbled off to be substituted by Sam Tate. Pierce’s injury looked like a serious one and he could be out for a few games.

The Pierce incident meant a lengthy injury time period of seven minutes giving Town supporters an edgy end to the game, but the hosts held out to claim the three points.

TEAMS

Denbigh Town
Stuart Griffiths, Matty Morris, Stuart Jones, Mike Sharples, Billy Holmes, Paul Fleming, Will Ashley, Kristian Pierce, Mark Roberts (C), Jake Walker, Jacob Barratt. Subs: James Thomas, Sion Jones, Keiron Roberts, Sam Tate, Leigh Craven

Brickfield Rangers
Jamie Griffiths, Michael Derosa, James Parry, Chris Dixon, Aaron Jones, Gerson Neto, Jardel Teixeira, Owen Jones, Andrew Vale, Aaron White (C), Lewis Parry. Subs: Bailey McHugh, Jack Honey, Konrad Bialozynski, Dylan Honey, Harry Massey.

Attendance 237