Football: Prestatyn Town FC target striker Lloyd-Williams

Jan 21 2009 by Dave Jones, Denbigh Visitor

WITH bids to sign ex-Rhyl stars Andy Moran and Stuart Graves now dead in the water, Prestatyn manager Neil Gibson will step up his quest to recruit experienced players for his squad this week.

Gibson has enquired with Porthmadog about the possibility of signing the legendary Marc Lloyd Williams, the all-time highest goalscorer in Welsh Premier history with 291 to his credit spread across six clubs.

However, the Town chief was told “Jiws” is under contract, so while maintaining his interest Gibson will now prioritise targetting other options.

The Prestatyn boss is also in the hunt for Welshpool Town striker Paul Roberts, number nine in the WPL list with 130 goals, Colwyn Bay defender Tim Brandreth and well-travelled Unibond League operator Lee Mulvaney.

One player already at Bastion Road is 17-year-old midfielder Matty Hurdman, one of Wrexham’s most promising young players who has been released on loan by the Robins to get some senior matches under his belt.

Hurdman enjoyed an excellent debut for Prestatyn in Friday’s 3-2 defeat at Cefn Druids in which the teenage set-piece specialist scored.

“Matty didn’t meet up with the lads until an hour before kick-off but fitted in excellently and he’ll be a really useful addition to the squad for as long as we can keep him,” said Gibson.

Town twice led at Plaskynaston, but in the end were undone by a hat-trick from master midfielder Ricky Evans.

“I was extremely disappointed with the result, but I can’t be too critical of the players as their attitude and work rate was spot-on,” added Gibson. “With the players we had missing we didn’t have the experience on the pitch to see out the game.”

Town are now uncomfortably near the relegation zone and are still yet to win away, but will be hoping their unbeaten home record extends for the next three matches with Port Talbot, Newtown and TNS set to come to Bastion Road – all tough tests.

“We’re a decent side at home and having a couple of players back will help us,” Gibson said. “The bottom half of the table is quite tightly packed so a couple of wins could send us into the top half.”

Back for Town on Saturday against Port Talbot Town (2.30pm) will be midfielder Ross Hannen, who after a long injury lay-off came through a reserve game at the weekend unscathed, and keeper Jon Dunt, who returns from suspension.