PRESTATYN 4, RHYL 4
Prestatyn win 5-3 on penalties
PRESTATYN Town go into this Friday’s Welsh Premier League clash at Gap Connah’s Quay on a massive high after an epic Welsh Cup semi-final victory over Rhyl.
In one of the most dramatic games ever seen in North Wales Prestatyn beat their neighbours in a penalty shoot out after the sides battled to a thrilling 4-4 scoreline after extra time.
It was the first that Prestatyn has reached a Welsh Cup semi-final and the Seasiders now meet holders Bangor City in the last four on April 10 at a neutral venue to be confirmed.
Prestatyn player manager Neil Gibson said: “Reaching the Welsh Cup semi-finals is a fantastic achievement for the club but we’ve got to put that to the back of our minds now and concentrate on picking up vital league points between now and the Bangor game.
“Connah’s Quay now becomes our most important fixture.”
Saturday’s cracker at Bastion Gardens will never be forgotten by anyone who attended. Prestatyn came back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3 only to be pegged back by a Rhyl equaliser in injury time.
There were no further goals in extra time so it went to penalties and Prestatyn prevailed 5-3 to send their fans into raptures.
But it takes two teams to produce a classic and the Lilywhites started well, Mark Connolly firing them in front on 11 minutes after Town failed to clear a Phil Doran corner.
Michael Parker levelled from an acute angle, but then a Connolly rocket from 20 yards and a Matthew Williams strike made it 3-1 to the Lilies on half an hour.
Gareth Wilson volleyed in a superb and crucial goal for the Seasiders just before the break to set up a fascinating second half.
The next goal was vital and it came from Prestatyn when Gibson pounced from 18 yards on 49 minutes.
Rhyl’s shooting suddenly went awry and they paid on 77 minutes when a woeful goal-kick from keeper Paul Pritchard fell to Andy Moran who made it 4-3 with a composed left-foot finish.
Paul O’Neill and Ian Griffiths missed golden chances to seal it for the home side before Rob Turner’s 91st minute leveller necessitated an extra half-hour.
Gibson missed a sitter early in the first period, while Prestatyn were indebted to O’Neill for a goal-line clearance from Tyrone Kirk.
In the subsequent shoot-out, Town keeper Jon Hill-Dunt saved Rhyl’s second kick from Gareth Owen, paving the way for Parker to put away the decisive penalty.
* This Saturday Rhyl return to league action at home to Neath (2.30pm) and will be anxious to bounce back in their quest to seal a European spot. Last Wednesday Rhyl thrashed Bala 5-2 with goals from Andrew Pearson, Chris Williams, Mark Connolly (2) and Rob Turner.
The previous evening Prestatyn earned a superb 1-1 draw at Neath, Ian Griffiths the Seasiders’ marksman.