IN difficult circumstances, Prestatyn Town showed all the right qualities to start their new era under Leon Field and Ryan Turner.

The Seasiders were given a difficult opening fixture test against championship hopefuls Airbus Broughton, and although they fell to a 2-0 loss there were plenty of positives to take from the game for the young squad.

Seeing such a terrible injury early on and having a man sent off was a double-blow they could not recover from, but the fact they matched the Wingmakers and kept them at bay for the majority of the contest shows how much this squad is all pulling in the right direction as they look to re-establish themselves as a Huws Gray Alliance force.

The return of Dave Hayes from a brief retirement gave everybody associated with the club a huge lift, and the defender was one of the standout performers on the day against a formidable adversary in Asa Hamilton, who was Airbus’ marquee summer signing from Guilsfield.

There is little doubt that Hayes is still one of the best centre-halves operating at this level, and his partnership with Sam Kersh is going to be crucial in any success that comes Town’s way during their period of transition.

Things are not going to be easy for the group, of that there is little doubt. This is a squad that are still gelling as a unit and the second tier is an unforgiving place if you are not at your best on an almost weekly basis.

Another difficult test awaits the Seasiders this weekend when they make the long trip to a fancied Porthmadog, who made flight work of their first fixture at Penrhyncoch and boast a wealth of talent in Julian Williams, Jay Gibbs, Warren Duckett and Sion Edwards as they go in search of the title this term.

If they get anything out of the game then it will be a huge bonus, but if they are beaten for a second week in succession the onus will be on Field and Turner to make sure the group remain focused on the long-term task and continue to build chemistry both on-and-off the pitch, something that will give them the best possible chance of succeeding.

There are going to be tough times, but the management duo have worked hard to bring in the right characters and if the effort displayed against Airbus is any indication, things are going to be just fine at the Motion Finance Stadium.