|
Denbigh Town Vs. Gresford Athletic |
Gresford travelled to Central Park knowing that 6 from 6 was required to secure Cymru Alliance football for next season and they certainly took the game to the home side and felt they were worthy of all 3 points by the way in which they controlled the first 45 minutes. Early chances fell to Owen Roberts who was played in by Rob Rondell in the 11th minute however his shot ran wide and Nathan Pugh then fired his shot high after he picked up a well delivered ball from Ian Matthias and minutes later Nathan returned the compliment with a superb cross which Ian struck first time over the bar. Gresford took the lead in the 19th minute following good work from Rob Rondell in midfield who fed the ball through to Owen Roberts who kept his cool and rounded keeper Jamie Hulse before placing the ball neatly into the goal. Gresford looked to build on their lead with chances falling to Jon Paul Wood and Ian Matthias and Denbigh were unfortunate not to level the score in the 40th minute through a Mike Lundstrom strike which Gareth Rowland collected on the second attempt. Gresford looked more than capable of taking the lead into the break however Denbigh had other ideas and when Lucas Brookes saw Gareth Rowland off his line in the 42nd minute he levelled the score with a clinical finish Denbigh returned after the break showing what effect a half time talk can have and certainly looked a different side and came close to taking the lead through Kevin Evans in the 46th minute whose saw his long range effort run inches wide and further efforts fell to Jamie Hobson and Lucas Brookes whose shout for a penalty on the 50th minute was waved away by referee Mark Petch and the Gresford break saw Ian Matthias drive wide after avoiding a back-peddling Denbigh defence. Denbigh manager Tim Dyer then introduced Ian Evans who immediately began to trouble the Gresford defence and Gareth Rowland's strength showed against youngster Lucas Brookes when Evans fed a neat the ball through to him. Rob Rondell came close with his 25 yard strike which had keeper Hulse beaten but crept over the bar and Ian Evans may have done better when he broke clear but Rowland again stood strong and saved his drive and Lucas Brookes then had another penalty shout rejected by referee Petch and Gresford thought they had regained the lead through Owen Roberts when he headed over a stranded Jamie Hulse only to see the ball strike the foot of the left post and cleared to safety and Denbigh themselves thought they had edged it when Matt Toole got his head onto a ball from Kenny Burgess only to see it ricochet off the post into the ever safe hands of Gareth Rowland. Gresford continued to battle for the points and Owen Roberts was found by by Ian Matthias, but he fired off target when in front of the sticks and then Darren Jones saw his firm drive well saved by Jamie Hulse and at the other end Steve Jones bullied his way free but his resulting poke ran wide for the last chance of the game. On the face of it 1-1 was probably a fair result however it left Gresford ruing the missed chances that would have seen them take all 3 points away from Central Park. |
|
|
|
