Flashback: The greatest day in Prestatyn Town’s history

Bangor City 1 (Simm 60)
Prestatyn Town 3 (Price 2 & 111, R Stephens 103)
After extra time
Welsh Cup Final – May 6, 2013

Seven years ago today Prestatyn Town celebrated what must rank as the greatest success in the club’s history.

The Seasiders recorded a first-ever Welsh Cup triumph after beating Bangor City in extra time at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.

On a beautifully sunny May Bank Holiday Monday, eight-time national cup winners the Citizens, embarking on their fifth final in six seasons, were strong favourites to overcome Town, appearing in their first final since forming 103 years ago.

A crowd of 1,732 was in attendance, and although the Citizens were expected to have the bigger support, the Prestatyn faithful more than matched them.

While Bangor’s past experience of major games far outweighed their opponents, Town were not short of players used to massive occasions.

Up front, the Seasiders had former Wales and Swansea City striker Jason Price alongside ex-Tranmere Rovers star Andy Parkinson, who had played in the 2000 Football League Cup Final at Wembley in front of almost 75,000.

And it was Prestatyn who calmed any nerves by stealing an early lead.

A swinging cross from right wing-back Chris Davies was palmed out unconvincingly by keeper Lee Idzi, and Ross Stephens picked out the unmarked Jason Price, who prodded home from four yards.

Inside 10 minutes Bangor were awarded a somewhat fortunate penalty when referee Kevin Morgan ruled Anthony Stephens had shoved Chris Simm to the ground.

Up stepped Dave Morley, who fired his spot-kick to the right, but Jon Hill-Dunt guessed the correct way and made a fine save.

Hill-Dunt had to be sharp again soon after when he tipped over Liam Brownhill’s over-hit cross, which looked like sneaking in under the crossbar.

Prestatyn might have gone two-nil up when Stephens crossed low from the left and Price got his feet tangled, missing a glorious opportunity.

Hill-Dunt produced his best save yet, when he acrobatically kept out a Les Davies bullet header from a byline Ryan Edwards cross.

Half-time: Bangor 0 Prestatyn 1.

Early in the second half it was Hill-Dunt to the rescue again when he held a Chris Jones volley blasted from the edge of the box.

On the hour it was all-square when Chris Simm latched onto a flick on and his shot across goal went in off Prestatyn’s unfortunate Chris Davies.

Town rallied and Neil Gibson found Michael Parker with an exquisite chip, but Idzi pulled off a brave point-blank stop.

Simm lashed just over and Hill-Dunt saved brilliantly low down from Ryan Edwards as the all-blues pushed to edge in front.

The all-reds remained dangerous on the break, Parkinson drilling just wide after combining well with Price.

Substitute Sion Edwards swung over a good cross for Neville Powell’s men, but the rising Davies’ header narrowly missed the target.

90 mins: Bangor 1 Prestatyn 1.

Into extra time and it was proving not to be Les Davies’ day. The big striker had a great chance from a Robbie Booth chip but nodded wide.

Then came the moment that swung the final.

Michael Johnston was somewhat harshly adjudged to have fouled Parkinson on the left.

Referee Morgan produced a second yellow and red for Johnston, which appeared unfair.

That Prestatyn scored from Parkinson’s free-kick, Ross Stephens claiming a vital touch, was insult to injury.

Six minutes into the second period Price made it 3-1 after smart combination play with Parkinson.

That secured an amazing first Welsh Cup win for Prestatyn.

Teams

Bangor: Lee Idzi, Liam Brownhill (Peter Hoy 105), Chris Roberts, Dave Morley (Robbie Booth 65), James Brewerton, Michael Johnston, Chris Jones (Sion Edwards 59), Damien Allen, Les Davies, Chris Simm, Ryan Edwards. Unused subs: Corey Jones, John Owen.

Prestatyn: Jon Hill-Dunt, Chris Davies, Anthony Stephens, Dave Hayes, Greg Stones, Gareth Wilson (Rhys Owen 106), Michael Parker, Neil Gibson, Andy Parkinson, Jason Price (Rhys Lewis 119), Ross Stephens. Unused subs: Dan Evans, Carl Murray, Adam France.