MATCH OF THE NIGHT – FRIDAY: NFA 2-2 Prestatyn Town 2 – Ardal North West

Goalmouth action from Ffordd Derwen captured by MATT JOHNSON – huge thanks Matt

ARDAL NORTH WEST – AUGUST 15, 2025

NFA 2 (Joyce 2 & 75)
Prestatyn Town 2 (Walker 62, Edwards 90)

Report: Mason Houldsworth

Zebb Edwards’ superb 90th minute header ensured the first-ever meeting between NFA and Prestatyn Town finished honours even.

Both sides remain unbeaten after their respective fine starts to the 2025-26 season.

The game at Ffordd Derwen, Rhyl, watched by 438 spectators got off to a flying start, the home side edging ahead inside just two minutes.

A clever ball from Oliver Hansen split the Prestatyn backline and released Tyler Joyce, who beat the offside trap and calmly fired past former team-mate Adam Reid to give NFA an early lead.

Joyce began the season at Prestatyn, but recently switched allegience to NFA.

Prestatyn’s Joe Holt (red) rises for a header. Picture: MATT JOHNSON

Prestatyn responded by seeing more of the ball, though they struggled to truly threaten Philip Williams in the NFA goal. Much of the first half was disjointed, with both teams guilty of sending the ball out of play and struggling to find rhythm.

Town’s best chance came when Alex Jones’ diving header flew agonisingly wide of the bottom corner, while Joyce – continuing to look dangerous – fired another strike off target before the break.

Half-Time: NFA 1-0 Prestatyn Town

Seasiders boss Gareth Thomas made a double substitution at half-time, introducing Jordan Worthington and debutant Adam Hold, signed from Penmaenmawr Phoenix, for Kai Wallis and Antonio Jacovelli.

The changes injected new life into Town, with Joe Holt’s set-piece deliveries asking questions of the NFA back-line, though Williams remained untested.

Adam Hold (red) laid on the equaliser in his first game for Prestatyn Town. Picture: MATT JOHNSON

That changed when Prestatyn finally found their breakthrough midway through the half. Sam Ashton battled well to win the ball, which ricocheted kindly into the path of Jake Walker, who turned and buried his shot into the bottom corner to level the score.

Backed by their travelling supporters, Prestatyn pressed forward with intent, but it was NFA who struck next – and again it was Joyce at the heart of it. Slipped through this time by captain Paul Jones, Joyce blasted past Reid to restore the hosts’ lead against the run of play.

The Seasiders almost responded immediately. Edwards came within inches of equalising with a signature strike that looked destined for the top corner, while Walker saw another effort gathered by Williams.

NFA, however, dug deep, throwing bodies in the way and defending resolutely as the clock ticked down.

With the game edging into its final stages, Thomas turned to Rob Parry, who was making his return from injury, and the forward’s direct running gave Town fresh impetus.

His involvement proved crucial as the visitors earned a late free kick just before injury time. Parry opted to deliver into the box rather than shoot, and although NFA cleared the initial danger, the ball found Hold on the edge of the area.

Showing quick feet under pressure, the debutant whipped in a superb cross for Edwards, who powered home a dramatic header to spark jubilant scenes among the away support.

NFA

Philip Williams, Jack Parry-Jones (Jay Whitehouse 88), Harri Williams, Lewis Evans, David Wallis, Owen Herbert, Paul Jones (c), Tyler Joyce, Daniel Wallis (Harry Lockley 64), Oliver Hansen (Curtis Cook 90), Ollie Staveley

PRESTATYN TOWN

Adam Reid, Casey Faulkner (James Stevens 82), Aaron Simpson, James Jones, Zebb Edwards, Sam Ashton (Rob Parry 82), Joe Holt, Alex Jones (c), Jake Walker, Antonio Jacovelli (Adam Hold 46), Kai Wallis (Jordan Worthington 46)