Denbigh Town’s season opener in the Nathaniel MG Cup ended in defeat on Friday night at the hands of Llay Welfare.

Owen Davies’ first half strike opened the scoring but it wasn’t enough as former Town forward Matthew Worrall struck a brace along with an effort from Ruben Lima.

Dewi Llion handed debuts to Iwan Roberts and Calum Butler whilst Harry Lockley started his first game since September 2023. On the bench were two further new faces in Harrison Bellis and Paris Gray.

The opening chance of the contest came after less than two minutes when a Llay cross was met by the head of John Peate but it sailed just wide.

Denbigh responded to the early chance with one of their own after five minutes when Iwan Roberts, impressive throughout his debut, made a terrific run before squaring it inside the box but the chance evaded Town. Denbigh had luck down the left as Harry Lockley this time made inroads before feeding Nathan Brown but the winger’s shot went wide.

Roberts was a busy man and again he was the provider of a great opportunity as he supplied Brown inside the box but his effort was blocked before a follow-up flashed milimetres wide of the left post from close range.

At the other end the aforementioned Lockley was called into defensive action when Jonathan Collo was baring down on goal, only for the returning full-back to make a sensational last ditch challenge.

Sixty seconds shy of the 20 minute mark and the deadlock was broken. Dan Parry-Jones making his 75th appearance for the club launched a terrific lofted ball over to Davies who brought it down and squeezed the ball into the bottom corner via his ankle.

Seven minutes shy of the break and Davies was once again through on goal but was only denied by himself, unable to balance himself to get a proper effort away eight yards out as Llay cleared.

As the half drew to a close the hosts were edging closer to a leveller, with goalkeeper Aaron Jones denying the Welly with a smart stop to thwart Scott Swords on 44 minutes. However, a minute later a cross into the box was flicked on to the crossbar before Worrall popped up to head home the rebound and send the sides in level at half-time.

Half-Time: Llay Miners Welfare 1-1 Denbigh Town

Three minutes into the second half and Llay almost reversed the scoreline when a corner was swept in and David MacIntyre somehow failed to find the target with a bullet header. Llay continued the pressure with Worrall shaping to shoot on the edge of the box before Jones met the ball low to his right.

Town made a double change on the hour mark as Bellis and Gray came on for their debuts in place of Harry Lockley and Paul Fleming but two minutes later the moment would be soured for both. Denbigh failed to cope with a ball over the top with Jones rushing out, but both the defenders and goalkeeper were caught short as Lima popped through and rolled it into an empty net.

Things went from bad to worse less than three minutes later when Worrall dispossed Gray on the right of the box before striking home via the post from the right to double the lead.

Denbigh had flashes of positivity in the final 20 minutes but as Llay managed the game Town had no real answer. Not through lack of desire Town were beaten on the night and will now focus fully on the beginning of the JD Cymru North campaign next Friday at Airbus.

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

Subs: Cooke, S.Jones, Hansen, Gray, Bellis

Referee: Arthur Smallman

Attendance: 195