Flashback: NWCFA Challenge Cup Final – Bangor City v Prestatyn Town (2004-05)

Next season the North Wales Coast FA Challenge Cup competition is due to return after a six-year absence.

Grassroots North Wales is running a mini-series recollecting past finals.

In the fourth instalment, we look back on the 2004-05 final between mighty Welsh Premier outfit Bangor City and a sleeping giant still to awaken – Welsh Alliance underdogs Prestatyn Town.

Bangor City 3 (P Roberts 2, R Owen) Prestatyn Town 0
NWCFA Challenge Cup Final – May 11, 2005

A first half double from Paul Roberts set Bangor on the way to victory over impressive Welsh Alliance League opponents Prestatyn Town at Maesdu Park, Llandudno.

Town had not yet launched on their remarkable rise to the top flight.

This was the season before their runaway WAL title success, when Lennie Dunster and Martyn Jones ran a talented but unproven tier-three team at Bastion Gardens.

After Phil Priestley had saved well from Craig Griffiths it was Bangor who took the lead on 21 minutes.

Clayton Blackmore crossed from the right for Roberts to gather and crash home past goalkeeper Jon Hill-Dunt from close range.

On the half-hour former Rhyl youngster Jon Fisher-Cooke was taken off after an unsavoury clash with City keeper Priestley as Prestatyn pressed for an equaliser.

Town’s defence was well-marshalled by former Bangor utility man Dave Fuller but on 42 minutes the Citizens doubled their advantage.

A well-judged pass down the right side was picked up by Roberts who beat Hill-Dunt once again with a cleanly-hit drive.

Half-time: Bangor City 2 Prestatyn Town 0

The second half saw Prestatyn launch forward in search of some reward and City were indebted to Priestley who dealt competently with everything thrown at him.

On the hour though, it was Hill-Dunt who caught the eye with a tremendous stop from Chris Priest.

City rang the changes with Richard Owen and Chris Short replacing Les Davies and Blackmore on 64 minutes, and then a quarter of an hour later Peter Hoy made way for Mark Connolly on the right.

On 81 minutes it was 3-0 as Paul Friel and Paul Roberts combined to work an opening for replacement Owen, whose calm finish left Hill-Dunt helpless and the destiny of the cup beyond doubt.

A clear 3-0 win for City but an evenly-matched contest with Steve Hoult in the Prestatyn midfield catching the eye along with defensive icon Fuller.

Bangor: Phil Priestley, Clayton Blackmore (Chris Short 64), Ben Ogilvy, Peter Hoy (Mark Connolly 79), Paul O’Neill, Phil Baker, Gareth Williams, Paul Friel, Paul Roberts, Chris Priest, Les Davies (Richard Owen 64). Unused subs: Eifion Jones, Darren Owen.

Prestatyn: Line-up not available.

Huge thanks to Mike Smith of the Citizens Choice for match information.