Denbigh trip sure to test Conwy’s mettle
CONWY Borough will want to avoid becoming victims of a double when they travel to Denbigh Town tomorrow night (Friday, 7.30pm).
Last September, Boro were beaten 1-0 at home by Town, the hosts having totally dominated before being hit by an injury-time sucker punch from Andrew Swarbrick.
Two months later, however, Conwy well and truly exacted revenge when they whipped Denbigh 5-0 at Y Morfa in the Welsh Cup.
Aden Shannon’s side will travel to the Vale of Clwyd tomorrow in good spirits after hammering bottom side Rhydymwyn 5-1 last weekend.
However, the final score was somewhat flattering to the Tangerines, who only asserted their superiority in the closing stages.
Two goals for defender Andy Brown and one apiece for Phil Doran, Leigh Craven and youngster Callum Parry secured a valuable three points for Conwy at Y Morfa.
Brown put his side ahead on 10 minutes from close range following a corner.
The home team failed to build on that fine start and were slow out of the blocks at the beginning of the second period.
With the visitors threatening on the break, Rhydymwyn deservedly equal- ised with a well-placed header from Jack Roberts on 60 minutes.
Shannon took action and introduced the returning Craven and TNS youngster Fisnik Hajdari, and they made an immediate impact in adding more energy and cutting edge to the Tangerines play.
Conwy went back in front through Doran as he connected sweetly with Jack Graham’s excellent cross into the box.
Brown’s looping header then hit to woodwork to deny him a second goal.
The lively Craven put the game out of reach as he took on the Rhyd defence and finished smartly to make it 3-1 with 10 minutes to go.
Brown then got his second as his header connected with Doran’s free kick to make it 4-1 on 89 minutes.
Under-19s striker Parry added the fifth, capitalising on good link-up between Doran and Craven to finish from close range deep into injury time.
Shannon said after the game: “After a poor 60 minutes I was just glad to get the points – we just weren’t at the races today.
“I don’t think we showed enough respect to the opposition and the lads thought it would be a walk in the park, but they were wrong. The score-line flattered us a bit, but saying that their keeper was man of the match for me.
“The subs made a difference when they came on. Leigh Craven lifted the whole place and scored a great goal. Another positive for us today was Luke Douglas, who I thought was outstanding on his debut.”