As D:Ream echoed around the country in a summer of change Denbigh Town will surely share that exact sentiment; things can only get better.

Dewi Llion suffered his worst defeat at the club where he could only watch from the stands in horror whilst serving a suspension.

Down by four at the break and seven by full-time, it’s Denbigh biggest defeat since 2017 and the worst opening-day loss in 114 years.

Manager Dewi Llion’s first league line-up of the campaign came with just one change to the XI as Harrison Bellis started for the first time with Cal Butler moving to the bench.

16-year old Tom Salisbury was another new face who made the first team squad for the first time since graduating to the senior set-up.

After early flashes of danger, Airbus took the lead after just nine minutes. Kaiden Cooke crosses low for Danny Warren who finished with ease. Town attempted to respond with Owen Davies denied a clear effort after a well-worked move but quickly the home side turned the tables when Warren again was through, but Aaron Jones made the first of a string of fine saves in the first round.

Jones again was called upon when Jordan Evans delivered a corner for Warren to head the ball towards goal only for the Town stopper to make a great stop.

However the Denbigh custodian almost went from hero to villain with 15 minutes gone as he rushed out of his goal, lost the ball before Airbus attempted to drill it into an empty net but for the work of Dan Parry-Jones on the line and Ben Lockley making a brilliant last ditch tackle.

The inevitable second goal came with 24 minutes gone, Denbigh unable to deal with possession at the back and a cross from the right was kneed by Warren to make it two.

The visiting Town had to respond and almost reduced the deficit when Harry Lockley crossed for the skipper Paul Fleming, he took it on his chest before blazing over. Fleming was provided a similar ball three minutes later before feeding it to Bellis who couldn’t keep his shot down from the edge of the box.

Despite some momentum Airbus hit back practically burying the game on 38 minutes. A corner was swept in for James Davies who unmarked headed home. By this point Denbigh had fallen to pieces at the back, Davies grabbed his second of the game and Airbus’ fourth just moments before half-time.

Half-Time: Airbus UK Broughton 4-0 Denbigh Town

The initial ten minutes of the restart was likely Denbigh’s best spell of the game, but on a hatrick Davies was inched closer and closer to his third. After the ball was put on a plate for him at the back post he somehow missed the target before forcing Jones into a tremendous stop within moments of eachother. However it did come when a clipped ball over the top saw Jones rush out but the forward scooped it over his head to make it five.

Just after the hour mark Jones made what could be save of the season, when the ball fell to Warren just yards out, he smashed it on the turn but one handed the ‘keeper made an incredible stop and the highlight of the game for Denbigh.

On 66 minutes a hugely disappointing move saw Davies set through after a ball between the centre-halves to nudge home with ease.

As the minutes ticked over Nathan Brown had a sight of goal via free-kick that was destined for the top corner but tipped over superbly by the home goalkeeper.

Another bright spot for Denbigh was the debut of Salisbury who came on with five minutes to play as the youngster put in a really solid display. He came close to opening his account when the 16-year old went through and rounded the goalkeeper before putting his shot just wide.

It wouldn’t be the last move of the game however, as Sam Baker headed home at the back post to make it seven for the Wingmakers.

Denbigh will look to respond with a trip to Prestatyn a week on Tuesday.

Denbigh Town: A.Jones, B.Lockley, Holmes, Parry-Jones, H.Lockley, K.Roberts, I.Roberts, Brown, Fleming, Davies, Bellis

Subs: Cooke, Gray, Butler, Salisbury, Hansen, Lloyd

Referee: Andy Harms

Attendance: 302

POTM: Aaron Jones - It’s not often a goalkeeper who allows seven goals is a side’s best player, but in reality, it could have been more without his heroic saves to balance out a poor display for the Town.