DENBIGH TOWN 1
FLINT TOWN UNITED 2
(After extra time)
DENBIGH’S Welsh Cup exploits are over for another season, but they gave higher league outfit Flint a good run for their money.
It proved to be a feisty affair, with three players being given their marching orders, while the winning goal arrived deep in extra time.
John James’ charges suffered a set-back as early as the 10th minute when centre half Miles Todd, who was returning after a few weeks out, had to be replaced by substitute Rob Render.
Both teams started brightly with Denbigh's main threat coming from Stuart Vernon and Owain Roberts, but they couldn't create any clear cut chances for lone striker Ian Evans, who worked his socks off for the team.
Flint’s wide players Jordan Brierley and Paul Williams were a threat also, but likewise they found Denbigh's defence in fine form.
The backline was well marshalled throughout by centre back Chris Williams.
Things finally came to life when John Hill won a header in the Denbigh box, giving left back Danny Dobbins the chance to loop a header past home keeper Gareth Roberts for the opening goal.
Denbigh equalised straight away when a quick throw in by Roberts was well controlled by Evans and his neat lay off found Vernon who fired the ball beyond Adam Magee from 20 yards.
The tie then turned sour when a altercation between Denbigh left back Gethin Lloyd and Flint striker Jamie Watkinson saw both of them shown straight red cards by the referee.
Second half action saw Flint getting plenty of the ball, but they found Tom Povey, Williams, Render and new left back Roberts defending well.
Number one Gareth Roberts had to be alert around the hour-mark to stop Phill Lloyd restoring Flint's lead.
Denbigh were bright on the counter attack through Vernon, Kristian Pierce and Craig Wilkinson, but they again struggled to come up with a clear sight of opposition goal.
The visitors had a couple of half-chances in the latter stages, notably from substitute striker John Rush, but unlike his famous dad Ian he couldn't trouble the scoreboard.
As the tie went into extra time, the most likely outcome was that penalties would be needed to decide things.
An injury to Owain Roberts saw another rejig to the Denbigh back-four and just 60 seconds later - on 99 minutes - Phill Lloyd headed Flint back into the lead.
Denbigh pressed forward to try and find a second equaliser and substitute Tom Sharples had a goal-bound effort well blocked by Matty Harvey.
The visitors were reduced to nine men after 109 minutes when full back Chris Rieley was show his second yellow card of the tie for kicking the ball away.
Town again pressed forward, but they couldn't break down Flint’s backline.
Denbigh can be very proud of their performance on the day and will hope to carry on that effort for the reminder of the campaign.