Match of the Night: JD Cymru North – Prestatyn stun 10-man Bangor 1876 at Bastion Gardens

JD CYMRU NORTH – AUGUST 9, 2024

Prestatyn Town 4 (Wiltshire 5, Edwards pen 37, Vaughan 85, Buckley 90+17)
Bangor 1876 1 (Mahoney 20)

Dave Jones reports from Bastion Gardens

Football never fails to surprise.

Before tonight’s clash at Bastion Gardens, Prestatyn had lost their only league game 6-0, while Bangor had won their opening two 4-0 and 3-0 against high-class Colwyn Bay and Mold Alex respectively.

So, the predictions panel would probably have forecast an away win, but the script was torn up completely as the Seasiders produced a tremendous show to defeat the early joint-leaders 4-1.

Town made the ideal start when after just five minutes, Alfie Vaughan’s pressure drew an error from the 1876 back-line and Luke Wiltshire found the empty net.

Bangor responded well, Dale Davies’ powerful header being superbly tipped over the bar by keeper Robbie Williams.

The visitors equalised on 20 minutes. Following good link play with Cai Powell-Roberts on the right, Tom Mahoney jinked his way into the box and scored with a firm left-footed finish.

Prestatyn regained the lead after 37 when Joe Culshaw was guilty of handball from a corner and Zebb Edwards’ well-struck penalty found the net, despite keeper Carl Jones getting a hand to it.

Half-time: Prestatyn 2 Bangor 1

Early in the second half, 1876 had a big chance when Mahoney’s volley was spilled by Williams and Dave Hayes’ pass-back was picked up by the keeper. The resulting close range free kick from Corrig McGonigle was cleared off the line.

Bangor were doing most of the attacking but Prestatyn’s defence was magnificent, producing endless last-ditch interceptions, clearances and tackles.

Then midway through the half came an incident no-one attending a football match wants to see.

Bangor keeper Jones and Wiltshire went for the same ball drilled across the six-yard box.

The ball went out of play and the referee appeared to award a goal-kick, but changed his decision to a penalty.

Official Richard Wright showed a red card to keeper Jones, while Wiltshire, on the ground in agony, received treatment for several minutes and had to be stretchered off.

Wiltshire needed to be transported to hospital and an update is awaited on what looked to be a serious injury.

Edwards took the penalty, but Bangor’s debutant keeper, 19-year-old Bradley Farrar, made an awesome save diving to his right – his very first action for his new team.

In the 76th minute, the visitors had a great chance to equalise when they won a spot-kick for a foul on Harry Galeotti, but Liam Morris’ strike cannoned off the bar and the rebound was cleared.

Prestatyn went 3-1 up on 85, The ball was hooked over a stranded Farrar, hit the inside of the post and Vaughan converted the rebound.

There was then a break in play after some fan unrest broke out in the crowd behind the changing rooms end, but calm was restored fairly promptly.

Bangor kept trying, a James Barry corner clipping the top of the bar and Williams coming up with a great palm away from a deflected Powell-Roberts cross.

Town rounded off the scoring in the 107th minute, substitute Oliver Buckley drilling in a left-foot corker to send the home fans delirious.

TEAMS

PRESTATYN TOWN

Robbie Williams
Chris Bennett (Paddy Hamid 67)
Zebb Edwards
David Hayes
James Harper
Tyler Joyce (Jack Jones 106)
Luke Wiltshire (Oliver Buckley 67)
James Stead (Charlie Smith 90+6)
Alfie Vaughan (Lewis Rhodes 106)
Macauley Taylor
Connor Whelan

BANGOR 1876

Carl Jones
Cai Powell-Roberts
Telor Williams
Corey Jones (Liam Morris 50)
Iolo Hughes
Tom Clarke
Mason Blackwell-Jones
Joe Culshaw
Dale Davies (Harry Galeotti 50)
Corrig McGonigle (Bradley Farrar 67)
Tom Mahoney (James Barry 78)