JD Cymru North: Denbigh Town rock the league, Colwyn Bay shatter Airbus’ 100% run

JD CYMRU NORTH – SEPTEMBER 27-28

Holywell Town 0
Denbigh Town 2 (Davies 1, Duffy 90+4)

Report: Ollie Beech

One of the shock results of the season occurred at the Bartons North Wales Stadium last Saturday.

No disrespect to Denbigh, a fine team in their own right, but reigning Cymru North champions Holywell very rarely lose a league game – especially at home.

And until last weekend, Denbigh had not won a single away game this season – so what a way to break their duck!

The 2-0 result sent the visitors up to 11th place and dropped the Wellmen into fifth.

Goals at either end of the game from Owen Davies within 60 seconds and Sam Duffy in stoppage time saw Town claim a huge three points at Halkyn Road.

It ended a run of six games without a win on the road and marked a first win at Holywell since 2018.

Denbigh manager Dewi Llion named a couple of changes with Sion Jones coming into the XI whilst Harry Lockley returned to the squad from international duty.

And the boss couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game when Alfie Vaughan fed Davies through to slot home within the first minute.

The travellers almost doubled the advantage within 10 minutes as Davies was thwarted by keeper Ryan Woods.

Holywell’s first chance came on 20 minutes when Beau Cornish fired narrowly wide. The home side grew into the game and seven minutes later Jake Roberts was denied by an impressive Aaron Jones.

The champions thought they had levelled in stoppage time but Cornish’s effort from range shaved the post.

Half-Time: Holywell Town 0-1 Denbigh Town

Holywell began the second half as they ended the first with pressure on the Town back line. Morgan Murray had his effort saved by Jones in the opening minute.

Gareth Evans ran through one on one after 56 minutes only for Jones again to be the hero before the ‘keeper then foiled Jamie Breese.

Despite the onslaught from Holywell, Denbigh were still dangerous. On the hour, Iwan Roberts’ shot was tipped over the bar by Woods. Four minutes later Davies should have doubled the advantage when one on one but lifted his shot over.

Denbigh thought they had sealed it on 90 minutes when Harrison Bellis tucked the ball home but the flag was raised. But three minutes later, Duffy was released and sent the ball thudding into the back of the net to seal a huge win for Denbigh.

Town will hope to carry on that momentum at home to Mold Alexandra on Friday night.

Colwyn Bay 6-3 Airbus UK Broughton

Bay ended Airbus’ perfect start to the season as Craig Lindfield’s hat-trick inspired the Seagulls to a thrilling 6-3 win at the Four Crosses Construction Arena on Friday night.

Leaders Airbus made the perfect start with Sam Baker finding the net after just 11 minutes, but the hosts turned the game around late in the first half thanks to quickfire strikes from Lindfield and captain Jay Owen.

Lindfield headed home a third just five minutes into the second half, but Jordan Evans and Danny Warren both popped up with clinical finishes from the edge of the area to make it three-apiece after 61 minutes.

But it was not long before Bay were in front again as Lindfield completed his hat-trick against his former club in the 70th minute, tapping home from close range.

The win was wrapped up in the closing stages as Lloyd Marsh-Hughes and Gwion Dafydd both came off the bench to add their names to the scoresheet.

Buckley Town 3-3 Llandudno

Last season Llandudno were the side which often broke hearts with their late goals.

This term the same thing is happening for the Seasiders – only in reverse.

Rhys Edwards scored a stoppage time equaliser to rescue a 3-3 draw for Buckley at The Globe on Friday.

All six goals came in the second half, with Connor Littler putting Bucks ahead in the 55th only for Mark Cadwallader to equalise for Tudno moments later.

However, the hosts regained the lead within a minute, as Adam Smith guided the ball home from Max Moore’s through ball.

Llandudno the turned the game on its head thanks to Adam Stephens’ strike and Harvey Bennett’s penalty and they led heading into stoppage time, but their cruel recent record of conceding late goals continued as Bucks substitute Edwards was tapped home to earn a point in the 94th minute.

Prestatyn Town 1-5 Flint Mountain

Mountain claimed their first away win of the season with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Prestatyn Town on Friday.

It was a nightmare start for Town as Connor Whelan received a straight red card for his challenge on Andy Brown after just 14 minutes played, with Mountain taking advantage to lead by two at half-time as Brown and Rob Hughes found the net.

Hughes turned provider for Jack Sconce, who finished from close range in the 57th minute, before Brown grabbed his second with a deft lob shortly after the hour.

Jack Parry came off the bench to get in on the act in the 74th minute when he collected a pass from Ben Lawrence and fired beyond Rob Williams, while Greg Hall pulled one back for Prestatyn.

Bangor 1876 1-0 Gresford Athletic

Bangor 1876 are up to third place after Mason Blackwell-Jones’ goal secured a narrow 1-0 home win over Gresford Athletic on Saturday.

Corrig McGonigle had a goal ruled out for offside midway through the first half, but the opener arrived soon after as Blackwell-Jones fired home from Sam Jones’ cut back for his sixth goal of the campaign. It proved to be the winner as Bangor made it four victories in five games.

Guilsfield 1-2 Mold Alexandra

An excellent result on the road for Mold at Guilsfield on Saturday to claim their fourth straight league victory.

Summer signing Emmanuel Lawal headed home his third goal of the season to put Alex ahead after just six minutes and that remained the difference until the hour, when teenager Fabrizio Murtas doubled the lead with a thumping finish.

Youngster Dan Tilsley gave the Guils a late lifeline with his first goal for the club in the 89th minute.

Llay Welfare 1-1 Penrhyncoch

Mitch Williams gave Welfare the lead inside just four minutes as he produced a sweet strike from the edge of the area, but the Roosters made it 1-1 midway through the first-half via Dan Owen.

Ruthin Town 1-1 Caersws

The points were shared in a 1-1 draw at Maes Tegid on Saturday afternoon.

Caersws were denied by the woodwork twice in the first half, but eventually their attacking threat paid off as Max McLaughlin opened the scoring in the 75th minute.

That looked to have been enough to earn the Bluebirds a first win in five league matches, but Gwion Owen came to Ruthin’s rescue with an equaliser five minutes from time.