Flashback – eight years ago: Prestatyn give Bala a rare caning

Prestatyn Town 4 (Parkinson 2, Parker, Hunt)
Bala Town 1 (Sheridan)
August 23, 2013

Eight years ago today Prestatyn Town’s sixth successive season as a Welsh Premier League club got off to an absolute flyer.

Bala Town, often the Seasiders’ bogey team in the past, were simply swept away at Bastion Gardens.

Three months after winning the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history, and just six weeks on from an amazing Europa League debut victory over Liepajas Metalurgs of Latvia, Neil Gibson’s side were brimming with confidence entering the 2013-14 campaign.

They could have faced less daunting first-night opponents than Bala, but this was an evening where Prestatyn could not be stopped.

The hosts dazzled under the lights, taking a first-half lead with a magnificent free kick from Andy Parkinson – one that had to be seen to be believed.

The advantage was doubled in the second period when a Chris Davies shot was saved, but ex-Tranmere Rovers man Parkinson snapped up the rebound.

A Michael Parker header made it 3-0, and although Ian Sheridan nodded home for the Lakesiders, ex-Bala striker Lee Hunt rose highest from a corner to score Prestatyn’s fourth.

It was an astonishing start that got even better.

In their next match, Prestatyn beat champions The New Saints 1-0 at Bastion Gardens, then followed up with a 1-0 triumph at Bangor City.

Three games gone and top of the league. If only the season could have finished there….

From this point, Town’s fortunes nosedived and they finished up next-to-bottom of the WPL, missing out on the top six and winning just six more matches from the next 29.