Four years ago today Prestatyn Sports lifted a prestigious cup

Four years ago today Prestatyn Sports lifted the 2016-17 Welsh Alliance League Take Stock Van Hire Division Two Challenge Cup after beating Gaerwen 3-0 in the final at Penmaenmawr.

This was just Sports’ second season in the Welsh Alliance and they had finished third in Division Two with an unbeaten home record.

The final was originally scheduled for Y Morfa, Conwy Borough, but had to be put back two weeks and eventually was played at Cae Sling, Penmaenmawr, on May 20, 2017.

Sports’ title challenge had slipped away with defeats at Amlwch Town, Mynydd Llandegai and Y Felinheli, so they were anxious to secure some silverware in the cup.

Gaerwen were a much-improved side this season. They had held Sports 3-3 at home, but lost 4-0 at Gronant.

In the first half the Anglesey side, watched by a large travelling fan base, had the better of things, striker James Burgess a particular danger.

It was 0-0 at the break, but Sports turned the tide early in the second half when Sam McDougall broke the deadlock, a brilliant back header lobbing the keeper from 25 yards.

Second half substitute Ian Dunn proved to be an inspired replacement by managers Mark Hughes and John Hargreaves.

Dunn produced a brilliant solo run down the right, cut inside into the box and finished magnificently into the top corner on 75 minutes.

Then it was Dunn again with a header from a corner in the dying minutes.

Overall, Sports were worthy of more than a 3-0 victory.

The following season, 2017-18, Sports would win the Division Two title in awesome fashion.