A KINMEL Bay side in the early weeks of a major squad rebuild were beaten 3-2 by Prestatyn Sports, who came from behind to clinch a late win, on Saturday (January 28).

With almost all of the Bay’s first team squad leaving before Christmas, coaching staff Alex Craig, Leon Field, Andy Thomas have worked hard to bring in new players in and develop the youngsters; indeed, Saturday’s squad had an average age of roughly 20.

And the game got off to a great start; in the 20th minute, the Bay broke when a long ball was played in behind Prestatyn’s defence, and 17-year-old Callum Forster pounce, placing the ball over the Prestatyn goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net.

It wasn’t until the 39th minute when Bay’s Josh Jones was alleged to have fouled Ian Griffiths in the box; Bay were adamant it was outside the penalty area, but the referee pointed to the spot, and up stepped Griffiths to slot home and equaliser.

After a half-time chat, the Bay started the second half well, and the game plan set out from the beginning was working well.

And in the 70th minute, Declan Bellamy broke down the left in miles of space. The Prestatyn goalkeeper came rushing out of his box, with Bellamy lifting the ball over him, before the keeper made heavy contact with Bellamy, earning him a yellow card.

From the resulting free kick whipped in by Anthony Jones, Barry Roche produced a lovely clam finish to put Bay 2-1 ahead.

Prestatyn piled the pressure on, but again, the Bay broke down the right side, this time with James Weaver on the ball.

The Prestatyn keeper came rushing out to stop the shot but missed the ball with his feet (outside of the box) only for him to push the ball away with his hand. This earned him a second yellow, and he was off on the 74th minute.

Soon after, though, Bay’s Nathaniel Hulme was also shown a second yellow after he was adjudged to have fouled a Prestatyn player.

The resulting free kick, from about 40 yards out, was whipped in, and while the Bay keeper, Shane Bradley, parried it away, it fell right into Griffiths’ path, and he calmly fired home to make it two apiece.

And it was Prestatyn’s Antonio Jacavelli who found the winner on 90 minutes. After a good save from Bradley, defender Anthony Jones picked the ball up in the box and tried to get it out, before the ball rolled to Jacavelli, who somehow managed the net through a crowd of players.

Bay manager Alex Craig singled out Forster, who is playing his first senior football and found himself a goal, for individual praise, while midfielder Lewis Lloyd-Evans also played his first game for the club.