Ruthin Town 2 Guilsfield 0

GUILSFIELD’S testing start to the campaign continued as Llyr Morris fired Ruthin Town to glory at the Memorial Field.

The Guils opened the match on top with Steve Blenkinsop providing an early threat while Chris Cathrall’s trademark long throws continued to stretch the home defence.

However the villagers failed to test Ruthin goalkeeper Ryan Goldston and soon the home side came to ask questions of a makeshift central defence comprising of Callum Bromley and Andy Ford.

On 32 minutes the Guils resistance was broken with Cai Davies and Ryan Jones linking on the left to cross for Morris to volley past goalkeeper Mike Jones from 16 yards.

Ruthin continued to press with Gwydion Ifan Cai Davies tormenting the villagers defence while Kevin Evans narrowly fired wide from Ilan Hughes’ corner with Matt Evans’ free-kick also shaving the woodwork before the interval.

Ruthin opened the second-half on top with Ryan Jones and Morris going close.

However Morris was not to be denied and on the hour completed his brace by heading home Cai Davies’ cross.

Guilsfield were simply not in contention for the remainder of the game with Ryan Jones twice going close with his free-kicks forcing Jones into action.

The match became disjointed with a remarkable 10 cautions issued while Ruthin were awarded a penalty with 10 minutes remaining after Gwion Owen was impeded in the area.

Despite Hughes blazing his spot-kick over the bar it was too late for the below par Guils to muster any late riposte as Ruthin celebrated a deserved victory.

GUILSFIELD: Jones, Cathrall (Weetman), Parry, Rogers, Bromley, Ford, Jenkins (Garthwaite), Clifton (Barton), Harris, Blenkinsop, Richards. Subs: Leonard, Barton, Litchfield.