Ardal North West – Denbigh maintain ruthless form ahead of this weekend’s big FAW Trophy quarter-final

ARDAL NORTH WEST REPORTS – FEBRUARY 10 & 11

Denbigh Town 8 Rhostyllen 1

Report: Iwan Jones

Fourth-place Denbigh are now second-highest scorers in Ardal North West and have the league’s meanest defence following their 8-1 demolition of bottom side Rhostyllen.

Another thrilling, goal-packed display proved ideal preparation for Dewi Llion’s men ahead of this Saturday’s testing trip to South Wales where they face Pill in the FAW Amateur Trophy quarter-finals.

Hat-tricks from both Craig Pritchard and Matthew Worrall, together with a brace from captain Paul Fleming, saw Denbigh romp home against Wrexham-area travellers Rhostyllen at Central Park.

Town’s last three home league games have seen them notch up 25 goals..

Lots of early pressure from the hosts told on 23 minutes when a defence-splitting pass from Nathan Brown found Pritchard, who tricked and dribbled his way into the box to score a fantastic solo goal.

Ten minutes later Jake Walker chased to the byline and turned to play an inch-perfect pass into the path of Fleming, who calmly slotted home from 16 yards.

Walker rattled the post before the third goal arrived on 40 minutes. Ben Lockley sent in a delicious cross for Worrall to head home from close range.

Half-time: 3-0

Ten minutes into the second half, Worrall turned provider by sending a delicate ball over Rhostyllen’s last man for Pritchard to run onto and beat keeper Parry.

Fleming made the assist for the fifth, pulling the ball back across the edge of the box for Pritchard to fire home for his hat-trick with 60 minutes played.

Worrall made it a personal double courtesy of Pritchard’s assist to make it 6-0.

Within a minute, Rhostyllen caught Denbigh napping and pulled a goal back through Rhys Lloyd.

With young Harvey Bennett replacing Brown on 70 minutes, Denbigh immediately had their seventh with Worrall completing his treble.

Fleming added the eighth after linking well with Walker.

CPD Y Rhyl 3 Saltney Town 0

Leaders Rhyl made it seven league games unbeaten and 19 points out of a possible 21 with a convincing win at home to Saltney.

The visitors made a lively start, forcing keeper Luke Wilmot into action on three separate occasions in quick succession.

The Lilywhites were struggling for rhythm, but the nerves were calmed on 24 minutes when captain Reece Fairhurst fired home a cracking volley.

Just before half time, Jack Higgins converted a penalty he had won himself.

Saltney continued to make life difficult for 1879 in the second half, but the hosts kept them at bay before with 16 minutes left, the Belle Vue faithful were able to witness a truly mesmerising individual goal.

Macauley Taylor avoided a series of tackles before he was fouled, but managed to get the ball from under his feet and slot past the keeper.

The Bordermen had Sam Reynolds sent off on 78 minutes for a second yellow card.

CPD Y Felinheli 1 Flint Mountain 2

Former Chester star Gary Roberts clinched three points for Mountain with the final kick of the game at the expense of a Felinheli side which had given it everything.

Three minutes into the second half, Euron Davies’ team took the lead when Aled Griffith put them in front.

Dom McHugh equalised for Aden Shannon’s men in the 68th minute and the game looked to be heading for a draw after Mountain’s Sam Jones was red-carded on 86.

However, with 94 minutes on the clock, up popped the magical Roberts to seal the match for the visitors. It was cruel on Felinheli.

Llandudno Albion 1 Hawarden Rangers 2

Dan Evans gave Albion a ninth-minute lead, but Paul Lindfield equalised on 11 and Tom Gunson grabbed the winner for Rangers on 66.

Llangefni Town 0 Brickfield Rangers 0

A point apiece at Cae Bob Parry.

Llanrwst United 3 Nantlle Vale 4

A seven-goal stormer at Gwydir Park saw Nantlle edge the spoils.

Richard Jones was the Vale hero with a first half hat-trick, an Ashley Owen fourth on 79 minutes proving decisive.

Chris Nicolson, Callum Parry and Cynan Edwards hit back for the Rwsters.

Nantlle had Iwan Lane dismissed on 83 for a second yellow card.

Llay Welfare 1 Bangor 1876 3

Bangor 1876 can regain top spot on goal difference if they beat Llangefni Town on Friday.

Saturday’s win at Llay has already been reported on in depth by Grassroots North Wales.

Liam Morris headed 1876 in front just before half time, Welfare having had Aayron Rafferty sent off for a second yellow card on 27 minutes.

Llay refused to lie down and a deserved equaliser via a Jarod Taylor penalty made it 1-1 on 70. A first spot-kick from Jon Collo was saved by Carl Jones, but the referee ordered a retake, claiming the keeper had moved off his line.

This woke the visitors up and goals from Joe Culshaw and Les Davies secured the win.