Who you gonna call? Jinx Busters! Prestatyn Town 1-0 TNS (Sep 2012)

Prestatyn Town 1 (Price 59)
The New Saints 0

September 2012

Jason Price’s 59th minute goal ensured Prestatyn ended one of the longest-running jinxes in Welsh Premier football in 2012/13.

In 13 previous attempts, Town had picked up just one point off The New Saints, but the ghost was finally laid at a windswept Bastion Gardens as Neil Gibson’s men claimed their first ever win over the Oswestry outfit.

The victory put Prestatyn joint top of the Welsh Premier on 10 points with illustrious pairing Bangor City and TNS.

The Seasiders were certainly good value for their success over the full-timers, who they restricted to very few clear cut chances over the 90 minutes.

Saints should have taken a second-minute lead when Sam Finlay was left with a free header from a Ryan Fraughan free-kick, but failed to hit the target.

Finlay’s fifth minute cross was spilled by Town keeper Jon Hill-Dunt, but no-one in a green and white shirt could take advantage.

Prestatyn’s first attempt in the 27th minute saw player-manager Neil Gibson shoot firmly straight at custodian Paul Harrison.

Moments later, Hill-Dunt did well to fingertip a dipping Fraughan cross over the bar.

Gareth Wilson’s scissors kick went close for the hosts before Hill-Dunt did really well to hold Aeron Edwards’ low drive.

The second half produced very few goal attempts, but the one that mattered arrived just before the hour.

Andy Parkinson received a neat pass from Price in the box and the ex-Tranmere striker’s low shot looped into the air off Harrison.

First to react was former Swansea City front man Price, who coolly volleyed home left-footed from eight yards.

Saints did most of the pressing in the final half-hour, but did not seriously test Hill-Dunt once. Town produced some heroic defending and deservedly held on for a momentous victory.

Prestatyn: Jon-Hill Dunt, Chris Davies, Anthony Stephens, Paul O’Neill, Dave Hayes, Gareth Wilson, Michael Parker, Neil Gibson, Andy Parkinson, Jason Price (Ross Stephens 81), Greg Stones. Subs not used: Guto Hughes, Darren Hughes, Rhys Owen, Rhys Lewis, Gareth Barker.

The New Saints: Paul Harrison, Simon Spender (Scott Quigley 86), Chris Marriott, Steve Evans, Kai Edwards, Chris Seargeant (Alex Darlington 68), Aeron Edwards, Sam Finlay, Chris Jones, Greg Draper (Mike Wilde 71), Ryan Fraughan. Subs not used: Scott Ruscoe, Connall Rawlinson, Arron Simms, Ryan Jones.

Referee: Mark Petch (Deganwy)

Attendance: 313.