Football: Late equaliser earns Prestatyn Town FC a point

Sep 24 2008 by Dave Jones, Denbigh Visitor

NEWTOWN 1 PRESTATYN TOWN 1

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE

MICHAEL Parker’s 89th minute equaliser rescued a point for Prestatyn from a game they could easily have won had they taken their chances.

In an encouraging opening for the visitors, Steve Bowes drove just wide, then after a superb ball over the defence from player manager Neil Gibson, Ian Griffiths rounded keeper David Jones and looked set to score, but a last-gasp tackle forced him to miss the target.

Newtown danger man Craig Moses was denied by a goal-line clearance from Russ Jones before keeper Jon Dunt smothered bravely at the striker’s feet.

Right on the interval, however, Town fell to a sucker punch. Jones committed a handball, the quick free-kick caught the Prestatyn defence napping and Craig Williams lashed home from 20 yards.

A minute into the second period Newtown were reduced to 10 when defender Hugh Clarke, who had already been cautioned, was sent off for chopping down Griffiths when he was through on goal.

The resulting free-kick by Steve Hoult was deflected inches wide, but the Mid-Walians missed a golden chance when Moses charged down Dunt’s clearance and Neil Mitchell scuffed wide of an open net.

Moses then outpaced Dave Hayes into the box but was denied by the legs of Dunt.

Prestatyn suddenly realised they had a man advantage and raised their game. Bowes saw his shot well saved by Jones before Griffiths mistimed a free header from a Hoult flag-kick.

In the 70th minute Gibson’s sublime pass put Bowes clean through but Town’s leading scorer of the past two seasons ballooned over the bar.

Finally, a minute from time Hoult’s corner was punched clear by Jones, substitute Gareth Davies volleyed goalwards and Parker got the last touch to salvage a draw.

There is a Welsh Youth Cup first round tie at Bastion Gardens this Sunday (2.30pm) when Prestatyn Town Youth face Caersws Youth.

The Seasiders are also looking for a new manager for their youth side, who play in Clwyd League Division One, after parting company with Barry Allsopp by mutual consent. The club wish to thank Barry for his efforts during his tenure at the club.