Denbigh Town are aiming to move three points closer to Cymru Alliance leaders Caernarfon Town this evening (Friday, 7.30pm).
Second-placed Denbigh entertain Gresford Athletic at Central Park in a match which is crucial to Denbigh hopes of staying in contention.
Caernarfon are six point clear at the top, while Holywell, Airbus and Guilsfield are all one point behind Denbigh, who lost 3-1 at local rivals Ruthin in their last fixture.
The clubs are less than 10 miles apart and Eddie Maurice-Jones said: “That was difficult to take knowing the connection between the two clubs and how much it meant for our fans.
“It was a poor showing on our behalf, but take no credit away from Ruthin, who were excellent and defended well.
“Not many teams will earn a positive result there if they perform like that for the rest of the season.
“We didn’t adapt to the conditions well enough in the first half and found it hard to break them down.
“There was a good spell in the second half and showed encouraging signs, but didn’t capitalise and were punished again.
“We don’t have long to wait to put things right and get back on track. We have worked so hard this season and are still in a great position.”
Gresford had a poor start to the campaign, losing their first four matches, but have still only lost five league games this season which is the same as Denbigh.
They have drawn three and it is those precious points that separate the two teams in the league table.
They lost against Caernarfon in October, but have been undefeated in the league since, winning all but the one when they drew against Porthmadog.
Former Denbigh players Max Peate and Dave McIntyre and Jake Eyre are in the Gresford team.
Ruthin emerged winners against Denbigh, who kept the same starting line-up that had won at Rhyl in their previous fixture, in front of 521 spectators. The victory completed an Alliance double for Ruthin.
Gwion Owen fired Ruthin in front at the Memorial Playing Fields and Jordan MacCarter made it 2-0 just after the hour.
Denbigh replied from a Kevin Evans penalty, while Ruthin clinched victory when the Alliance leading scorer Llyr Morris converted a spot-kick.
Ruthin: Dylan Jones, Craig Wilkinson, Tomos Roberts, Mike Sharples, Kevin Evans, Ilam Huges, Jordan MacCarter, Osian Davies, Llyr Morris, Gwion Owen, Garmon Hafal. Subs: Will Ashley, David Finnie, Wil Owen, Mathew Williams, Ryan Goldston
Denbigh Town: Jon Hill-Dunt, Rakim Newton, Joe Culshaw, Liam Smith, Ben Nash, Matt Cook, Kristian Pierce, Gareth Partridge, Warren Duckett, Josh Davies, Craig Pritchard. Subs: Nathan Williams, Andrew Swarbrick, Corey Smart
Attendance – 521
Rhyl FC have extended the contract of goalkeeper Rory Crowther until July 2019.
The 20-year-old former Manchester United youngster has been with Rhyl since the start of 2016-17.
Manager Mark Connolly said: “Rory has been a major part of this squad and will be in the future.
“It’s a great feeling when you know you have a keeper of his ability that wants to be a part of the future of Rhyl FC.”
Flint Town United have signed central defender Jacob Lever, who attended Loughborough University before playing for Stocksbridge Park Steels in the Evostik League.
He went to America and played college soccer in Colorado before joining Third Division Chattanooga FC.
The 6ft 2ins Lever, 24, attracted the attention several clubs, but decided to join Flint, having previously worked with manager Niall McGuinness for a short spell and being impressed with the set up of the club.
McGuinness says his new signing is composed on the ball, and loves to play out from the back given the opportunity.
Cymru Alliance fixtures:
Friday, December 29: Denbigh Town v Gresford Athletic (7.30pm).
Saturday, December 30: Ruthin Town v Flint Town United (2pm), Airbus Broughton v FC Queens Park (2.30pm), Holyhead Hotspur v Caernarfon Town(2.30pm), Penrhyncoch v Guilsfield (2.30pm), Porthmadog v Llandudno Junction (2.30pm), Rhyl v Holywell Town (2.30pm).
