DENBIGH TOWN 2

AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON 3

IT'S fair to say that players and supporters will not forget this game in a hurry!

The Huws Gray Alliance clash between Denbigh Town and Airbus UK Broughton was switched to Bala Town's Maes Tegid ground and the match was played in torrential lashing rain and extremely strong gusty swirling winds.

These have to have been the worst weather conditions a game has been played in many a season by either club as Storm Hannah descended with a vengeance.

Denbigh welcomed local lad Billy Holmes into the starting line-up after some impressive performances for the reserves.

There was a dream start for Town.

With only a minute gone Kristian Pierce, was put through on goal following a long ball and he was brought down in the area.

A penalty was awarded with the defender receiving a yellow card and Pierce stepped up to fire home the spot kick.

It was Denbigh who adapted to the conditions better in the opening stages and Pierce was unlucky not to grab another goal a few minutes later when his shot from 18 yards was saved by Dave Roberts.

However, with 12 minutes gone, league leaders Airbus were level.

Brady McGilloway's cross was parried by keeper Craig Vernon and Asa Hamilton headed the rebound into the net from close range.

Denbigh almost regained the lead in spectacular fashion.

Jake Walker fired an effort from 40 yards that just went wide of the goal, with Roberts well beaten.

However, the next goal went in favour of Airbus.

With 10 minutes of the first half left to play, Ryan Edwards' shot was parried by keeper Vernon and Nathan Woolfe was on hand to tap in the rebound.

On 54 minutes, Pat Hinchcliffe and Kristian Pierce were involved in some promising play down the right wing but the final ball was intercepted.

From this, a long ball found Asa Hamilton in space and with Craig Vernon advancing, he coolly lobbed the keeper to make it 3-1.

Denbigh still battled as the conditions deteriorated further and the game went through a spell with neither team managing to create anything.

Town’s persistence and effort could not be faulted and their fortunes changed on 78 minutes.

Kristian Pierce picked the ball up on the right side, jinked and dribbled past a defender and unleashed a wonderful shot that left Roberts standing to make it 3-2.

The last 12 minutes saw more and more Denbigh pressure in the Airbus half, but the equaliser would not come.