Ruthin overcome Denbigh in hard-fought North East Wales FA Veterans Cup derby

NORTH EAST WALES FA VETS CUP FIRST ROUND

Ruthin Town Vets 2 (MacCarter, D Jones)
Denbigh Wanderers 0

Two second-half goals ensured hosts Ruthin advanced to the last eight of the NEWFA Vets Cup at the expense of neighbours Denbigh on Wednesday night.

It was always going to be a tight affair at the Memorial Playing Fields, with neither side wanting to surrender bragging rights to the other.

There was nothing to separate the two teams in the first half.

Ruthin started brightly and took the initiative, creating a couple of half chances but failed to convert.

Denbigh navigated the early storm and grew into the match, looking a threat up top with Andrew Booker proving to be a real handful. The interval arrived with the scoresheet still blank.

Ruthin started the second half as they did the first. A more direct style of football created several half-chances for Andrew ‘Bobble’ Roberts and Jordan MacCarter.

Denbigh’s defence remained stubborn, despite the mounting pressure. Both sides began to tire and the game opened up.

As the half went on, Ruthin began to edge ahead, despite Denbigh looking dangerous on the counter.

It needed something special to break the deadlock, which came in form of a MacCarter wonder strike from the edge of the box, which nestled into the top corner.

Denbigh threw the kitchen sink at Ruthin in a last-ditch attempt to get back into the tie. However, Chris ‘Wellies’ Williams and Kevin Evans put on a masterful defensive masterclass to nullify the threat.

With six minutes to go, and both teams trading blows, Dafydd Jones sealed victory for the home side, with a top corner strike of his own.

Ruthin progress to the next round despite Denbigh putting up a great fight.

ROUND ONE RESULTS

Brickfield Rangers 1 Caerwys 7
Hawarden Rangers w/o Shotton Steel
Holt & Farndon 2 Buckley 1
Lex XI 4 Penmaenmawr Phoenix 2
Mynydd Isa Spartans 1 Connah’s Quay Nomads 2
Point of Ayr 3 Mochdre 5
Ruthin Town 2 Denbigh Town 0