Saltney’s pre-match heartbreak continues into the game – but club is roused by level of support

REPORT: ARDAL NORTH WEST LEAGUE

Saltney Town 0
Denbigh Town 5

It was not a day to remember for Saltney Town with their problems starting long before the kick-off.

Mindless vandals struck at the club’s Dragon Steel Stadium overnight, causing considerable damage.

Reporting the incident on Twitter this morning, devastated officials said they were even thinking of folding the club.

Town now face a hefty repair bill, but on the plus side, Saltney have been deeply touched by support from the North Wales football community, as well as a positive message from FAW chief executive Noel Mooney, who assured the national association is on hand to help.

With all the disruption, it was always going to be difficult for the Bordermen when they took on strong Ardal North Wales opponents Denbigh Town this afternoon, and the match turned out as one to forget for manager Neill Rees Hughes’ side.

Playing in their brand new all-blue away strip, Denbigh took the game to Saltney from the first minute.

The hosts had their chances and with striker Sam Reynolds heading goal bound, the ever-improving Dan Parry Jones read the play well to make an excellent interception to keep the sides level.

Just after Sion Jones played a clever ball into the path of Nathan Brown, who beat his defender down the left wing to fire a shot just over from 10 yards.

Saltney responded with Sam Edwards sprinting down the right wing to cross into the six-yard box for Reynolds to fire over.

With chances at both ends a goal had to come and it was the Jake Walker-Paul Fleming formation that broke the deadlock. A Sion Jones ball was played onto Walker’s head on the edge of the penalty area. The striker flicked the ball onto Fleming who fired in from eight yards to give Town a 1-0 lead on 27 minutes.

An immediate response from Saltney saw Aaron Jones forced to make a point-blank save from Sam Edwards but a couple of minutes later Denbigh had their second goal.

Dan Clarke sent an exquisite ball over the head of a Saltney defender and into the path of Brown, who had time to compose himself and send a deft lob over keeper Alex Swindell and into the right-hand corner of the net.

A minute later it was 3-0 thanks to Fleming getting his head to a cross.

Half-time: 0-3

Ten minutes into the second half, Denbigh extended their lead with a superb individual goal.

A loose Saltney clearance fell to Danny Clarke’s feet midway inside Saltney’s half on the right wing. The talented youngster weaved his way past two defenders and into the penalty area to let fly an unstoppable shot from 15 yards.

With 56 minutes played the game saw another great goal. Saltney thought they had cleared their ranks as a cross was kicked away to the edge of the penalty area.

However it was only cleared as far as Brown who was lurking on the edge of the area and he fired the ball back on the volley with venom into the top right hand corner of the net.

The visitors hit the woodwork twice before the end.

Well done Denbigh for a fine performance, but best wishes to Saltney with the ground issues which can hopefully be resolved soon.