AS expected, it has been a real baptism of fire for Prestatyn Town in their first season back in the JD Welsh Premier League.

The Seasiders have found life tough during Phase One of the top flight campaign, and Neil Gibson’s men currently find themselves second from bottom in the standings and seven points adrift of safety at the split.

It was always going to be a tough ask for Town to re-establish themselves as a WPL force given their budget, which is pittance compared with some of the other sides operating within the division.

Gibson has kept his ‘local’ ethos and stuck with the majority of the squad that conquered the Huws Gray Alliance last term, and despite their lowly position there have definitely been some encouraging performances that they will need to build on if they are to avoid an instant return to the second tier.

That will be easier said than done given their recent run of form, which has seen them lose nine consecutive matches in all competitions, including a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Ruthin Town in the JD Welsh Cup.

It will be interesting to see how the club approach Phase Two in their pursuit of safety, as they will need to pick up points quickly given the recent impressive form of Aberystwyth Town following their disappointing start.

They will undoubtedly need to sure things up at the back having conceded a league high 53 goals from their opening 22 contests at an average of 2.4 goals per game, and when consider their struggles in-front of goal (15 in 22) then this will need to eradicated if they are to have any chance of staying up.

This is a talented young group who have tried to play the right way, which has proved to be their downfall on occasions, and whatever happens at the end of the campaign then each member of the side will be far better for this experience as they look to progress their respective careers in the future.

The club has proved time-and-time again that they are prepared to stand up and be counted when the chips are down, and although it is going to take a monumental effort for them to avoid the drop, they are more than capable of going on a run providing they turn their good performances into points.

Top performer: Tom Kemp

The defender has been one of the few shining lights at the Motion Finance Stadium during the season, and he has put together a number of consistent performances that have seen him emerge more prominently within the squad.

He has proven that he belongs at the top level of the Welsh pyramid alongside the likes of Noah Edwards, who has also shown his immense potential in stages.

Best result: 4-2 (W) vs Bangor City.

Few would argue that this result against their coastal rivals has been the highlight of the season so far, and the October hammering of the title contenders left them with plenty of optimism for the months ahead.

While things have not turned out as planned, Gibson only has to tell his squad to look back on this game to see what they are truly capable of.