Denbigh Town Football Club
Central Park , Denbigh
Match Reports
Denbigh Town v Trafford FC - 19th July 2008
Denbigh Town shared a 1-1 draw with Cheshire League outfit Trafford FC in their first outing of the season , reports Peter Glynn.
In mixed weather conditions - sunshine and showers - both sides were at it from the off , with players of both colours looking to impress their respective managers.
Town boasted an impressive combination up front , with Welsh Premier stalwart Kevin Leech partnering a hungry Ian Evans and they both looked sharp from the first whistle, the latter going close on two occasions , including striking wood from a superb effort.
At the other end Jamie Hulse had to get down to three stinging drives from Josh Bowman and Sam Haggis , but after 10 minutes the Central Park side opened the scoring.
Jamie Hobson is a man for all seasons , and the midfield battler , displaying some silky touches , found an opportunity to swing a left foot ball into the box. And it was Darren Cassidy who rose almost unannounced to plant a firm header past a rooted Andy Jones in the Trafford goal.
John Roberts , sporting the skipper's armband following the loss to Llangefni of Mark Orme , showed his worth and commitment with two last ditch tackles , aided and abetted by the able Liam Byrne as Trafford sought an immediate reply.
Next Kevin Evans threaded one though the eye to a trim and mobile Kenny Burgess , and the trickster sold a dummy before finding Leech who inched over.
But at the other end Adie Nevins set up a head-in-hands Kevin McGrath who saw his excellent drive deflected wide for a corner by the outstretched leg of Matt Harrison.
The second stanza saw numerous changes of personnel and all were to impress. Manager Dyer has , on this showing , assembled a talented squad - including the returning Tony Davies who signed forms at half time for the Vale mob.
David Ross Williams showed guile and enterprise for the second forty five , pulling the strings in the centre of the park despite some attention from a tough looking Flixton-based brigade. Meanwhile , debutants Jamie Evans and Jack Glover - some might say players for the future - showed they may well be of the present with quality performances over 35 minutes , together with quicksilver Tim Davies who looks like he can run for fun without ever getting breathless.
Manager Dyer threw on keeper Jamie Roberts for the second half and the young shot stopper did well on a number of occasions as Trafford upped the ante in search of a leveller.
A goal was coming and following sweet play involving Curtis Conner and Jordash Taylor , the ball fell to Kevin McGrath in front of goal and he slammed home in glee to earn his side a share.
Others of note for the home side were Michael Hind - he is a big unit - and Gareth Walsh , whilst full back Kevin Jones may have a shout for man of the match with an impeccable display over the 90 minutes.
Denbigh Town Squad: Jamie Hulse , Matt Harrison , John Roberts , Kevin Jones , Liam Byrne , Jamie Hobson , Kenny Burgess , Kevin Evans , Ian Evans , Kevin Leech , Darren Cassidy , Mike Hind , David Ross Williams , Gaz Walsh , Jamie Roberts , Tony Davies , Jack Glover , Jamie Evans , Tim Davies.
Trafford FC : Andy Jones , Dean Warburton , Kevin McGrath , Josh O'Neill , Paul Vanden , Sam Haggis , Chris Brown , Josh Bowman , Curtis Connor , Alie Nevins , Stacy Lewis , Lee Hargreaves , James Jones , Adam Groves , Jordash Taylor , Craig Coote.
A half time collection was made towards BLISS ( premature babies) - many thanks to the supporters , players of Denbigh Town and especially our guests Trafford FC players , and staff , for their generosity.
Denbigh Town v Ashville FC - 24th July 2008
Last gasp Denbigh Town continued their pre-season build up with a late winner over Wirral-based Ashville FC , reports Peter Glynn at Central Park.
Edging the game by the odd goal in three , it was another opportunity for Town supremo Tim Dyer to run the rule over the 'possibles' and the 'probables.' Amongst the 'definates' is new signing Kevin Leech who looked the perfect target man early doors in this evenly matched encounter. And his strength and guile forced the issue in the opening quarter , setting up Kenny Burgess on two occasions and almost registering himself with a snap shot and a bullet header that inched wide.
At the other end , Tony Davies provided some excitement as Ashville sprang forward and , after Jamie Hulse had done well to parry a stinger , Davies calmly lobbed onto the bar with the Town shot-stopper grateful to cling the rebound to his chest.
On the stroke of half time the deadlock was broken. Wide midfielder Adam Jones swung over a beauty and a forward thinking Darren Cassidy let rip , only to see his firm effort deflected into the net with the visitor's glover stranded. Some may call it an 'owner' but it was to all intents and purposes on it's way in. It is Cassidy's goal , his second in as many games.
Ashville upped the ante in the second stanza and , with Dyer ringing the changes , began to dominate. Yet Denbigh were looking nifty on the break , and trailists Ian Dunn and Tom Matischok looked steady on the ball , and with Ian Evans thrown on in place of Leech , you fancied a chance or two might appear.
But it was Ashville who were in celebratory mood when a lovely little move saw the ball falling to Edges in the box and he clinically converted to draw the visitors level.
It looked to be all done and dusted as far as goal action was concerned , but worker bee Ian Evans sniffed an unlikely winner on the stroke of full time , capitalising on good individual work from Ian Dunn , and the goal-grabber's firm effort from the edge of the box gave the someone fortunate win to Denbigh Town.
Denbigh Town v DOW FC -2nd August 2008
Cassidy Clincher Nicks It For Denbigh
Denbigh Town continued their pre-season build up with a competitive match against Liverpool based DOW FC , reports Peter Glynn at Central Park.
Boasting a number of current and former Denbigh players , DOW began brightly , with Tommy Harrison and Kenny Burgess threatening the home side's goal with intricate play , with the fine move ending with Steve Parle poking inches wide.
Denbigh settled into a rhythm , with new signing Tom Matischok prominent and his ball fell to Kevin Leech who put one through to Ian Evans but the worker bee found visiting keeper Tommy White brave to block off his firm effort.
Next Kevin Evans showed his quality with a breath-taking run that saw him beat six men before the ball was finally piched off his toe by Kevin Jones with the goal seemingly at his mercy.
Town began to take the game by it's scruff and on 20 minutes took a deserved lead. Excellent work from Jamie Hobson released Leech who fed a ball back to a lurking Matischok on the edge of the box. The youngster took a touch before clinically rifling the ball low into the corner.
Now it was DOW's turn to up the stakes and Harrison fired one over when well , placed , then Molloy hit Hulse when he should have registered and next Burgess ballooned one wide , again when it looked easier to score.
But the equaliser did arrive five minutes before the break , and it was Graham Molloy who bullied his way between a hesitant Town defence to blast home giving Hulse no chance.
The second stanza was in much the same vein , with the game ebbing and flowing between the two sides.
Again DOW were creative but wasteful in front of goal , and their profligacy cost them on 65 minutes. Darren Cassidy - he is in danger of becoming prolific- arrived late in the box from the left flank to capitalise on tantalising play between the impressive Leech and the willing Evans. A strike of one with confidence in front of the sticks and no wonder with the flyer having now scored four in five games.
Hulse had to be withdrawn with a sore thumb after a challenge from Tony Davies , who next went on a rampaging run that almost saw him in front of goal as the Red Sea parted , but the big man took a touch too many and Cassidy , a replacement for Hulse , gathered gratefully.
Next Cassidy fumbled a snapshot which almost fell to the feet of Keith Hughes.
Then Kenny Burgess found himself one on one with the Denbigh keeper , but again Cassidy stood up , acrobatically tipping over a fizzing effort. A good workout for both clubs.
Man of the Match : Kevin Evans.
