Welsh Cup: Denbigh Town edge hard-fought tie at battling outsiders Cerrigydrudion
Cerrigydrudion 2 Denbigh Town 4
What a battle Tier 2 visitors Denbigh were given by Cerrigydrudion of Tier 4.
The final scoreline does not tell the entire story of how close a cup tie this was.
The North Wales Coast East Premier Division hosts took a no-nonsense approach from the start, Town keeper Aaron Jones forced into a great save following a free kick.
Denbigh’s first foray into the opposition half saw them score on 14 minutes.
Ollie Hansen did well down the left before his cross was headed goalwards by Matthew Worrall. Despite Cerrig claiming the ball had been cleared off the line, the linesman flagged and the goal was awarded.
Not to be disheartened the hosts fought back and Tomos Jones almost levelled three minutes later with a shot from distance that struck the post.
On 34 minutes Cerrig delivered a shock equaliser as a cross came in from the right that was met by Tegid Williams, whose header looped into the far corner.
Just before half-time things boiled over for the first time and Town were down to 10, as Ryan Kershaw’s late challenge saw him dismissed before the break.
Half-Time: Cerrigydrudion 1-1 Denbigh Town
Stern words at the break appeared to work for Denbigh as within three minutes of the restart they had the lead. Hansen latched on to a long ball from Jacob Walker and finished with aplomb.
Chances were few from there on as both teams battled fiercely for possession, until Town gave themselves breathing space by making it 3-1 in the 79th minute.
Hansen picked the ball up on the right before being brought down in the box and winning a penalty.
Substitute Nathan Brown stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way.
Brown added a fourth from a Worrall assist, but less than 60 seconds later Cai Davies nodded Cerrig back into it, setting up a nervy finish that saw over 10 minutes of stoppage time.
The game well and truly boiled over when a skirmish on the touchline led to bookings for both benches before another broke out seconds later that saw Williams sent off for Cerrig..