A year in the life

Jan 7 2009 by Dave Jones, Denbigh Visitor

WITHOUT a doubt the year 2008 was the most successful in Prestatyn Town’s proud history with the club not only winning the Cymru Alliance but also reaching its highest level ever of the Welsh Premier League where the Seasiders are very much holding their own.

Here is a look back at 12 unforgettable months:

JANUARY

Prestatyn started 2008 on top of the Cymru Alliance League and wins over Llanfairpwll (3-1) and Ruthin Town (6-0) kept them in command. The in-form Ian Griffiths notched five goals in those two victories.

FEBRUARY

Double disappointment for the Seasiders as they went down 1-0 at home to chief challengers and bogey side Bala Town and then lost 2-1 at a windswept Mynydd Isa. However, wins over Llandyrnog United (2-0) and Lex XI (5-0) kept Neil Gibson’s side in top spot.

MARCH

Town went unbeaten throughout the month, hammering Buckley Town 7-1 and taking the honours 2-0 at Denbigh, while drawing at home against Gap Queens Park 2-2 in a thriller and 0-0 with Mynydd Isa.

APRIL

A memorable month for the Bastion boys began in style when a 3-2 win at Llanfairpwll clinched the Cymru Alliance League title. A large group of travelling fans saw the Seasiders come back from a 2-1 deficit to triumph thanks to an Ian Griffiths double. Prestatyn then won 4-2 at Glantraeth – where they received the championship trophy – and 2-0 at Penrhyncoch to wrap up the title by a massive 15 points.

MAY

Although accepted into the Welsh Premier, Prestatyn were given a seemingly impossible eight-day deadline to get Bastion Gardens up to the required standard. However, the stirring efforts of a team of volunteers who worked around the clock ensured the club met the necessary criteria. Prestatyn Reserves clinched the Clwyd Premier title for a second successive season by winning their final match at Denbigh 5-0.

JUNE

Due largely to high wage expectations, signing new players for the 2008/09 campaign proved hard for Neil Gibson but the return to the club of central defender Bevan Humphreys after a three-year spell in the South Wales League provided some cheer.

JULY

Things shaped up well in pre-season for Town with wins over Corinthian Casuals (2-0) and a Tranmere Rovers XI (3-1) providing cause for optimism. Midfielder Alec Williams joined the Seasiders from neighbours Rhyl.

AUGUST

An historic and emotional occasion at Bastion Road saw Prestatyn win their first ever match in the Welsh Premier, beating Airbus UK Broughton 2-1 thanks to an Ian Griffiths double with keeper Jon Dunt also saving a penalty. A home 2-2 split with Technogroup Welshpool and a very honourable 2-0 defeat at TNS followed.

SEPTEMBER

High points were a 5-0 home league victory over Caernarfon and a remarkable 3-3 draw at TNS in the League Cup in a game where Prestatyn trailed 3-0. Draws with Newtown (1-1) and NEWI Cefn Druids (3-3) were respectable enough.

OCTOBER

Prestatyn scored five goals at home again in a 5-2 beating of Porthmadog, Jon Fisher-Cooke becoming the first PTFC player to register a WPL hat-trick. The Seasiders also broke the Bala jinx by winning a stormy Welsh Cup tie at Maes Tegid on penalties after a 3-3 extra time outcome. However, Town’s away form was cause for concern as they crashed 6-1 at Llanelli and 3-1 in Haverfordwest.

NOVEMBER

Gibson’s charges advanced to the Welsh Cup last 16 with a dramatic 3-2 extra time victory at battling Gresford. Prestatyn maintained their unbeaten home record, beating Neath 1-0 and drawing 1-1 with Gap Connah’s Quay, but lost narrowly at Aberystwyth and Carmarthen.

DECEMBER

Despite missing six regulars due to injuries and suspensions, Prestatyn ensured they ended 2008 with an undefeated home record in the WPL after they came from behind twice to hold Bangor City 2-2 at Bastion Road. Town drew at Airbus and played their part in history as their match against local rivals Rhyl at Belle Vue attracted a third highest ever WPL attendance of 2,126. Sadly the game ended in a 7-2 defeat for Prestatyn, but they finished the year in a respectable 13th.