Denbigh Town made history on Saturday afternoon when Dewi Llion’s side reached the Fourth Round of the JD Welsh Cup for the first time in 52 years.

A trio of goals from Nathan Brown, Owen Davies and Keelan Williams saw Town safely through over a Llanrwst side that piled the pressure on throughout.

Denbigh made two changes to the XI with Luke Wilmot and Mackenzie Stark coming into the side, whilst Morgan Fricker and Gabriel Hinchcliffe were called up from the Reserves. Brown was named captain with Keiron Roberts absent.

The home side came out the blocks early and put Denbigh under the cosh but it was Town who struck the first real blow. Ben Lockley worked well on the right finding Brown who sweetly tucked the ball home inside the box after 14 minutes.

United responded well and six minutes later when the hosts lined up for a shot in the box only for Lockley to make a superb block. Moments later Llanrwst broke will the ball finding Julian Williams but his effort was thwarted by Cal Butler. From the resulting corner Williams had another chance but his header was tipped over by Wilmot.

Llanrwst were on top as the half closed out with Math Hughes firing a fierce effort at goal but Wilmot was equal to it, before moments later Town had to remain vigilant as shots flew towards goal but the Roosters failed to find the target.

Half-Time: Llanrwst United 0-1 Denbigh Town

Denbigh began the second half the better side and could have doubled their lead on 51 minutes. A good spell led Brown to play in Stark who on the turn had his volley equalled by Cian Williams.

It almost felt like it would take something spectacular to find the next goal and it almost came with 68 minutes on the clock. Williams drove down the right channel before crossing where Davies’ attempted bicycle kick was denied.

Sam Duffy almost found the net a minute later when substitute Alfie Vaughan, returning to the side for the first time in a month, found him on the left before his fierce effort was saved brilliantly at the near post.

Nine minutes later another substitute was heavily involved in Tom Salisbury who won the ball in Llanrwst’s half before finding Davies, he played a one-two with Duffy before smashing the ball home into the bottom left corner.

At two goals ahead now Denbigh really began to flood forward and it looked like every attack had promise. Williams broke forward well on 83 minutes before blasting over whilst Duffy should have done better when it dropped to him inside the box, but he could only life it over the bar.

Morgan Fricker and Gabriel Hinchcliffe, just hours removed from playing for the Reserves at Central Park the night before, came on for their debuts before Duffy was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot before showing a straight red card to Chris Nicholson. Williams stepped up and blasted it home to make it three before the referee blew for full-time.

Town will now compete in a Fourth Round clash in the Welsh Cup for the first time since 1972/73.

Denbigh Town: Wilmot, Lockley, Stark, Cooke, Williams, Jones, Butler, Brown, Roberts, Duffy, Davies

Subs: Fricker, Hinchcliffe, Salisbury, Vaughan, Bellis

Attendance: 189

POTM: Max Cooke - Put in a fantastic display at the back where he rarely put a foot wrong, helping his side to a first clean sheet in over six weeks.