Stunning comeback earns Denbigh thrilling victory over Henllan’s gifted youngsters

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE EAST

CPD Merched Henllan 3 (B Roberts 4, M Roberts 25, L Williams 34)
Denbigh Town 4 (Hellon 54 & 70, Purvis 65, Claybrook 68)

REPORT: Ollie Beech

A contender for North Wales women’s game of the season already?

Surely come the end of the campaign, this one will be right up there.

Newcomers Henllan led neighbours Denbigh 3-0 in the Vale of Clwyd derby, only for Town to fight back and grab a 4-3 victory!

Within three minutes of the start Henllan took the lead as poor defending from Denbigh led to a simple finish for Beth Roberts sweeping the ball home.

Henllan almost doubled their tally when a corner was swung in and nodded towards goal, but Abi Cooke made a brilliant goal-saving header off the line.

Town’s first real foray into the hosts’ half came on 16 minutes when Alis Davies linked up well with Lowri Claybrook. The latter found Catrin Davies who crossed from the left, the ball came off a defender and a save from Siwan Williams denied an own goal.

However, after the 20-minute mark it was all Henllan as they hit the post from a corner before a double save from Town custodian Young.

The young home side finally had their second with 24 on the clock. A corner was half cleared before falling to Mali Roberts, who from the left corner of the box fired home via the upright.

Denbigh were convinced they had halved the deficit when Amber Hellon raced through, her effort was fumbled by the goalkeeper before appearing to have crossed the line, but the referee waved away all protests.

A minute later Henllan made it three when Lleucu Williams headed home from a corner.

Half-Time: Henllan 3-0 Denbigh Town

To have a chance of turning the tables, Denbigh knew they had to start the second half, and within nine minutes found themselves with one back. A corner was swung in by Claybrook that deflected off of the head of Beth Kell, falling nicely for Hellon to thump home inside the box.

Town almost reduced the deficit further on the hour when Natalie Harrison ran through one on one but keeper Williams was a match for her effort.

As the rain grew gradually so did Denbigh’s confidence, and on 65 minutes Claybrook’s corner was poked home by the evergreen Ceri Purvis.

Three minutes later, Claybrook played a one-two on the right touchline before her effort somehow wrongfooted the keeper and found the back of the net.

Now level, there was no letting up. Hellon had been brilliant all afternoon and took the ball in the middle of the park before bursting forward and smashing home from distance. Not only did Denbigh have the comeback, they now had the lead.

The last few moments were nervy and Town had to be on their toes with a string of corners for Henllan, but Denbigh held on and took a well earned three points to go top of the table, above Henllan in second, early in the season.

Forget the score for a moment, though. For such a young side like Henllan to be taking a 3-0 lead and competing so closely against an experienced team like Denbigh speaks volumes for how quickly they are adapting to senior football. Such great potential.

HENLLAN

Siwan Williams, Ella Allen, N/A, Magi Pierce (c), Lleucu Williams, Mali Roberts, Beth Roberts, Mabli Fitzgerald, Abby Cattell, Rhian Edwards, Elin Griffiths. SUBS USED: Erin Plumb, Sophie Evans, N/A.

DENBIGH TOWN

N Young, Mali Thomas, Abi Cooke, Tia Adler, Carla Rizzi (c), Lowri Claybrook, Natalie Harrison, Alys Clwyd-Davies, Amber Hellon, Catrin Davies, Ceri Purvis. SUBS USED: Vanessa Hodgeson, Bethany Kell.