Match report: Prestatyn Town 1-0 Nefyn United – Ardal North West

Prestatyn Town 1 (Taylor 3)
Nefyn United 0

Ardal North West | Bastion Gardens | Attendance: 242
Report: Mason Houldsworth

Prestatyn travel to Gwynedd to take on Tywyn-Bryncrug in the Welsh Cup this Saturday sitting top of the Ardal North West League.

The Seasiders secured another three points on home turf with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nefyn United on Tuesday, a result which moved the Town two points clear at the top after five games.
Aden Shannon’s hosts got off to the perfect start. Skipper Alex Jones connected with a cross and nodded the ball back across goal, where Macauley Taylor arrived at the back post to head Town into an early lead.
Town looked to build on the early momentum and created a number of promising opportunities. Jones narrowly headed over on a couple of occasions, while Callum Hardy continued to threaten from out wide. Taylor found space in behind the Nefyn defence to deliver dangerous balls into the box, while Tom Kemp controlled proceedings from midfield.
Despite creating further openings, Prestatyn couldn’t add to their advantage before the interval, with efforts either narrowly missing the target or being comfortably dealt with by the Nefyn goalkeeper.
The visitors came out with renewed energy after the break and almost found an equaliser within the opening stages of the second half. A powerful effort from distance cannoned off the crossbar, much to the relief of Adam Reid and the defenders in front of him.
Less than five minutes later, it was Prestatyn’s turn to test the woodwork. Jones struck from just inside the box, with his effort crashing against the underside of the crossbar before bouncing down and away. Jones believed the ball may have crossed the line, and it was certainly close.
Prestatyn responded well to a difficult opening to the second half, with Cameron Fleet and Rob Hughes introduced from the bench.
Fleet provided additional strength and technical ability, while Hughes immediately brought his trademark entertainment and physicality to the contest, winning free kicks and helping Prestatyn regain control of the game.
The match became increasingly scrappy as it progressed, with both sides awarded a number of free kicks deep inside their own territory. Nefyn continued to battle and made it clear they weren’t going to surrender easily, but Prestatyn remained composed.
Town were willing to do the ugly side of the game when required, keeping possession intelligently and battling for every ball as they looked to protect their narrow advantage.
The contest remained feisty right through to the closing stages, but Prestatyn kept their heads and remained focused on the task at hand.
Zebb Edwards was introduced for the final few minutes as the Prestatyn successfully saw out another hard-fought victory at Bastion Gardens.
The result saw Prestatyn move two points clear at the top of the Ardal North West after five matches, while Reid recorded his sixth clean sheet in seven appearances so far this season.

Man of the Match- Tom Kemp

Tom Kemp was awarded Man of the Match after a commanding performance in the centre of midfield. Kemp controlled the game during the first half and continued to battle until the final whistle as Town secured another well-worked victory.