Prestatyn stun Colwyn Bay in Nathaniel MG Cup – even a Clair-voyant wouldn’t have predicted this!

Nathaniel MG Cup – October 3, 2023

Prestatyn Town 2 (Scoullar 52, Clifton 53)
Colwyn Bay 2 (Allshorn 41, Turner 45+4)
(Prestatyn won 4-1 on penalties)

New Prestatyn manager Karl Clair celebrated a dream result in his first game in charge as the Seasiders knocked Cymru Premier side Colwyn Bay out of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

Town secured a visit to fellow Cymru North team Guilsfield in the last eight of the competition after a thrilling penalties victory over the Seagulls on Tuesday night.

Having lost their last two games, and with a new boss at the helm having no time to settle, the odds were heavily against the home side at Bastion Gardens, yet Clair’s charges fought back from two-down to force a shootout and win the tie.

One thing for sure – Karl Clair will never forget his first game as a manager.

Town showed great determination from the start and almost took the lead when a Dan Atkins shot was deflected onto the post. At the other end, Jack Rimmer cleared a Bay effort off the goal-line.

A Tom McCready free kick needed just a touch from Matty Hill to edge the visitors in front, but he missed the ball completely.

The Bay did take the lead on 39 minutes. Dylan Allshorn cut in from the left and rifled a fine shot into the corner of the net.

In first half added time, the Seagulls were in a comfortable position after McCready’s fine pass set up Sam Turner for a great finish.

Prestatyn had played well in their first 45 minutes under Clair, but the signs did not look too good with a two-goal deficit.

However, the whole balance of the tie turned when Town scored two goals in a minute after the break.

In the 52nd and 53rd, Matty Scoullar and Macauley Clifton netted their first goals for the club.

Player-manager Clair brought himself on in the 74th minute of a tie which was now producing end to end chances.

Mike Jones in the home goal produced a marvellous save to deny Allshorn, while Hilditch went close for the hosts.

No further goals so it was down to spot kicks.

Clifton, Clair, Scoullar and Dan Atkins converted their penalties for the hosts, while only Allshorn netted for the Bay, leading to major celebrations from the Cymru North underdogs.

PRESTATYN TOWN

Mike Jones
Jack Rimmer
Mike Burke
Bobby Murphy (c)
Matty Scoullar
Joe White
Tom Hilditch (Dylan Dunne 15 – Karl Clair 70)
Kurtis Pearson
Tyler Magee (John Stewart 62)
Macauley Clifton
Dan Atkins

COLWYN BAY

Joe Smith
Dan Jones
Brandon Diau (Sam Hart 59 – Joel Giblin 81)
Steff Edwards
Matty Hill
Guto Williams
Dylan Allshorn
Tom McCready (Jamie Cumming 66)
Tom Creamer
Sam Turner
Lloyd Marsh-Hughes (Udi Akpan 81)

NATHANIEL MG CUP QUARTER-FINALS

Northern Section
Guilsfield v Prestatyn Town
The New Saints v Gresford Athletic
Southern Section
Cardiff Met v Pontypridd United
Swansea City v Briton Ferry Llansawel