MATCH OF THE DAY – FAW Amateur Trophy: Penycae 0 Prestatyn Town 1

A piece of Rob Hughes magic won the day for Prestatyn Town. All Pictures: BRIAN PRYDDEN – massive thanks Brian

FAW AMATEUR TROPHY FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND

Penycae 0
Prestatyn Town 1 (Hughes 64)

With Penycae having made a storming start to the season with two huge away wins, Prestatyn knew they were in for a tough test today in an all-tier 3 Trophy battle at Afoneitha Road.

However, the Seasiders prevailed thanks to a 64th minute strike from the ever-influential Rob Hughes.

Town manager Gareth Thomas, who was full of praise for the facilities at Penycae, hailed a ‘moment of magic’ from Hughes as being the key factor in the tie.

“We knew we were going to be in for a hard game and it was, there wasn’t going to be a lot in it, but a bit of magic off Rob Hughes has put us into the next round,” said Thomas.

“The first two games I don’t think we’ve defended great. but I thought we defended really well today.

“We pressed high up the pitch as well, and I think overall, anyone who was here would go with it that we deserved the win.”

Prestatyn’s outstanding keeper Alex Reid throws the ball out

Debuting their new away kit, Prestatyn started brightly, seizing possession from the kick-off and earning an early chance.

A swift move saw them through on goal, a challenge from the hosts prompting penalty shouts, but only a free kick was awarded, which sailed over the bar.

Penycae had a golden opportunity to take the lead on 20 minutes after a Town clearance went awry, but goalkeeper Adam Reid, a standout since his arrival, produced a stunning point-blank save to keep the score level.

Prestatyn responded with Jake Walker going close just past the half-hour mark, his strike narrowly drifting wide. Kai Wallis also tested his luck from range, aiming for the top left corner but firing high and wide.

The action was fierce and competitive at Afoneitha

The second half saw Prestatyn forced into an early change as James Williams was replaced by Jordan Worthington. The substitute made an instant impact, wresting control of the midfield where Town had previously struggled.

The breakthrough came when Aaron Simpson delivered a pinpoint ball over the defence to Hughes. In a moment of brilliance, Hughes controlled the pass exquisitely before lobbing the Penycae keeper to give Prestatyn a 1-0 lead.

Penycae’s Zac Davies is challenged for the ball by Rob Hughes (facing)

With the advantage in hand, Prestatyn made a triple substitution, bringing on Antonio Jacovelli, Ellis Blench and Sam Ashton for Zebb Edwards, Hughes and Wallis to shore up their lead.

Penycae pushed hard for an equaliser, but Town’s resolute defending ensured the hosts rarely breached their half. Prestatyn remained disciplined and strong, seeing out the 1-0 victory to advance in the Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy.

Penycae

Ben Edwards, Ryan Dacey, Harry Killick, N/A, Jac Scott, Ben Buley, Joshua Mazzarella, Osian Williams, Zac Davies (c), Thomas Blaze, Thomas Edwards.

Prestatyn Town

Adam Reid. Casey Faulkner, James Jones, Zebb Edwards, Joe Holt, Kai Wallis, Alex Jones (c), Jake Walker, Rob Hughes, James Williams, Aaron Simpson. Subs used: Ellis Blench, Sam Ashton, Jordan Worthington, Antonio Jacovelli.