MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Draw specialists Prestatyn Town and NFA share points in fiesty derby

ARDAL NORTH WEST – MARCH 20, 2026

Prestatyn Town 1 (Aziamale pen 83)
NFA 1 (Cook 10)

Report: Mason Houldsworth

When the league’s two most prolific draw specialists take on one another in a Friday night derby there’s a big clue in the air about what might happen before a ball is kicked.

And sure enough, it finished one-apiece between Prestatyn Town and Rhyl-based NFA at Bastion Gardens.

This was fifth-place NFA’s 10th league draw in 24 matches, while for the Seasiders, who sit third in Ardal North West, it was a sixth split verdict of 2025-26 in the same amount of games as their opponents.

The first ever clash of this pair back in August at Ffordd Derwen had ended…..wait for it…..2-2.

And the return tussle was equally tense and close-fought.

A lively crowd of 381 packed into Bastion Gardens for what proved to be a fiery derby encounter. With just two points separating the sides going into the fixture, it always promised to be a competitive affair- and it certainly delivered, featuring 10 bookings, controversy and late drama.

NFA made the perfect start when a Thomas Hughes set-piece delivery crashed against the post. The rebound fell kindly to Curtis Cook, who reacted quickest to turn the ball home and give the visitors an early lead.

The goal gave NFA confidence and they looked to build on their early dominance, but were unable to find a second.

Momentum soon swung in Prestatyn’s favour when a handball inside the NFA box saw the hosts awarded a penalty. Robbie Parry stepped up, but his effort was comfortably saved by Jay Whitehouse to keep the visitors ahead.

The missed spot-kick did little to halt Prestatyn’s attacking intent, which was spurred on by a noisy and passionate group of young supporters in the stand. A dangerous ball into the box saw Paul Fleming nod the ball across goal to Alex Jones, whose diving header flashed narrowly wide.

Jones soon found himself in another promising position on the edge of the area, but his strike sailed comfortably over the bar.

The derby’s physical edge then began to show when Callum Hardy flew into a challenge on Macauley Taylor. Hardy was shown the first yellow card of the evening- the first of many. While NFA manager, Niall McGuinness, was also cautioned during the aftermath.

Following several stoppages for NFA injuries, the first half gradually petered out, with the visitors heading into the break holding a narrow advantage.

Half-time: Prestatyn Town 0-1 NFA

Prestatyn emerged for the second half determined to reward the strong home support, and they nearly found an equaliser early on.

Alex Jones again found space inside the box, forcing Whitehouse into what was arguably the save of the night – a sharp stop low to his right to keep NFA ahead.

Parry then looked to make amends for his earlier penalty miss, showing neat footwork in the box before firing an effort that narrowly evaded the target.

Seeking to capitalise on their bright start to the half, Aden Shannon introduced new signing Christopher Aziamale and Rob Hughes on the 65-minute mark.

A few minutes later, Prestatyn suffered a setback when Ryan Roberts was forced off with a nasty gash to his foot, with Sam Henry coming on as his replacement.

The introductions of Hughes and Aziamale injected energy into the attack, with their clever footwork helping Prestatyn win several set-pieces around the NFA penalty area, though none initially produced the breakthrough.

Drama soon followed when the referee initially awarded Prestatyn a second penalty after chaos in the box from a corner. However, after being called over by the assistant referee Jonathan Ervine and holding a lengthy discussion, the decision was overturned – much to the frustration of the home side.

But only minutes later, Prestatyn were given another opportunity from the spot- and this time the decision stood.

New signing Aziamale stepped up and calmly converted to mark his debut with a goal and bring Prestatyn level at 1–1.

The equaliser opened the game up significantly, with tensions rising and yellow cards continuing to be shown to both sides. NFA looked dangerous on the counter, seeing several chances blocked or narrowly missed, while Prestatyn pushed for a winner with a series of efforts that either drifted wide or were comfortably gathered by Whitehouse.

In the end, neither side could find a decisive moment, and the derby finished all square for the second time this season- a fiercely contested encounter that both teams will feel had positives to take.

PRESTATYN TOWN

Adam Reid, Dom McHugh, James Jones, Joe Holt, Alex Jones (c), Jake Walker (Christoph Aziamale 66), Robbie Parry (Rob Hughes 66), Callum Hardy, Ryan Roberts (Sam Henry 69), Paul Fleming, Kian Owen.

NFA

Jamie Whitehouse, Jack Parry-Jones, Thomas Hughes, Harri Williams, Oli Staveley, Owen Herbert, Paul Jones (c), Macauley Taylor (Sam Brewerton 90+1), Curtis Cook (Lucas Edwards 78), Michael Wrzesinski, Simon Fawcett.

ATTENDANCE: 381.