Archive classics: Llanfairpwll 2 Prestatyn Town 3 (2007-08)
Having covered North Wales football for close on 40 years. I’ve reported on hundreds if not thousands of games across the pyramid. Here’s the first in a series of classics from the archives
SEASON 2007-08
LLANFAIRPWLL 2 (K Roberts 22, R Owen 24)
PRESTATYN TOWN 3 (Fisher-Cooke 15, I Griffiths 62 pen, 78)
APRIL 2008
After a ding-dong battle at Y Gors, Prestatyn were crowned Cymru Alliance champions and went on to spend seven seasons in the top flight.
The visitors were more than worthy title-winners according to Llanfairpwll secretary Alun Mummery.
“A draw would probably have been a fair result as we gave them a real battle throughout the 90 minutes,” he said.
“But Prestatyn are absolutely deadly up front and deserve the title for the way they’ve played this season.
“We did the honourable thing and clapped them off the pitch as champions.”
Needing just a point for the crown, Neil Gibson’s men made a flying start, Llanfair keeper Ben Heald denying strikers Jon Fisher-Cooke and Ian Griffiths before the latter had a goal ruled out for offside.
The home side had a couple of close calls themselves before the visitors took the lead on 15 minutes, Ross Hannen and Dan Evans combining well to free Fisher-Cooke, who stabbed past Heald from eight yards for goal number 12 of the season.
Llanfairpwll were determined to be party poopers, however, and on 22 minutes skipper Kevin Roberts beat Jon Dunt from 25 yards with a cracking left foot strike.
Two minutes later the Anglesey men were 2-1 up when Neil Hughes flicked on and Richard Owen applied a fine finish.
Back came the Seasiders and Heald performed marvels to keep out a Fisher-Cooke header from point blank range before doing well to hold a Steve Hoult free-kick.
Half Time: Llanfairpwll 2 Prestatyn Town 1
Playing into the wind in the second period Prestatyn again made a good start and on 55 minutes had a golden chance to equalise when Darren Hughes brought down Fisher-Cooke in the box. Hoult took the penalty but the heroic Heald dived to his right and produced another important save.
In the 62nd minute the visitors won another spot-kick following a trip on Griffiths in the area by Nidian Huws. This time Griffiths made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Heald the wrong way.
Soon after the islanders saw their exemplary disciplinary record blotted when Tony Williams kicked a grounded Griffiths right in front of referee Howie Farrell and rightly received a straight red card.
Two last ditch blocks denied Llanfair the lead before on 78 minutes Prestatyn plundered the winning goal.
Fisher-Cooke was fouled but Mr Farrell played a good advantage, enabling Hannen to slot a neat pass to man of the match Griffiths who lashed into the top corner for his 16th goal this term.
Town threatened several times on the counter in the closing minutes but 3-2 it finished and Prestatyn celebrated joyously at the final whistle.
Prestatyn: Jon Dunt, Andy Davies, Jack Lewis, David Hayes, Jamie Duffy, Ross Hannen, Dan Evans (Steve Bowes 60), Adie Hoyle (Neil Gibson 67), Jon Fisher-Cooke, Ian Griffiths, Steve Hoult. Unused sub: Steve Harris.