Comment: Can Prestatyn Town claim the title next week?

The Seasiders’ have a commanding 16 point advantage at the summit over Flint Town United having played two more times that the Silkmen. This leaves them just two wins away from securing the crown and winning promotion back to the top flight, providing United falter at some stage. 

As luck would have it, Neil Gibson’s men have a pair of league contests over a four-day period that could clinch the coveted silverware as early as this Tuesday.

Although the title is now a foregone conclusion for the champions elect, Town will want to wrap things up as soon as possible so that Gibson and his squad can turn their focus to a pivotal JD Welsh Cup semi-final encounter against JD Cymru Premier champions The New Saints.

It will also give the boss an opportunity to use fringe players during the run-in and allow him to form a plan as to who will be remaining at the club this summer.

A home tie against Llandudno on Saturday will be followed by a tricky-looking trip to Bangor City on Tuesday night, but can Prestatyn emerge with maximum points to achieve their pre-season objective with four games to spare?

Llandudno (H):

Llandudno’s first season back in the JD Cymru North has been littered with inconsistencies. This was to be expected given so much player and management turnaround during the summer.

They still represent a considerable threat and boast plenty of talent at their disposal. Skipper Danny Hughes is one of the most accomplished midfielders outside the top flight and has the ability to dictate the tempo of any game.

Manager Matthew Jones is still trying to work out the best way to take the club forward with the players he has at his disposal. They will be going to the Motion Finance Stadium with no pressure on their shoulders, which could allow them to express themselves a little more.

They currently find themselves in 11th spot in the standings after winning eight and drawing four of their 23 games so far this term. Tudno have the capability to beat any team on their day, but it is putting it all together that has been a real problem for them this season.

Any team travelling to take on Town needs to keep things disciplined and tight during the opening quarter. If the hosts get their tails up early, it is going to be a long day for anyone that comes in their path.

It would be a big shock if Gibson’s men did not pick up three points on home soil against a haphazard Tudno side, which would put them within one triumph of claiming the title.

Verdict: Win

Bangor City (A):

The Citizens’ are the true enigma of the JD Cymru North, but after another eventful season they have shown real signs of life since the turn of the year.

They have propelled themselves to fifth place in the standings and they are in the midst of a six-game unbeaten run at the Eurogold Stadium. There is plenty of talent within the City squad and things are finally coming together following a turbulent two-year spell.

Pedro Pasculli’s side will be keen to avenge the thumping they received at the hands of the Seasiders’ in the corresponding league fixture on their travels. Whether they can do this against a Town outfit who have plenty to play for on the night remains to be seen.

City still have problems making the most of their chances and have netted just 29 times in their 23 league fixtures, which is simply not good enough. What they do have going for them is a formidable defence that has conceded just 19 in 22 if you take out the seven shipped at Town earlier this season.

They will not want Prestatyn to secure the league on their own patch and will do their upmost to prevent them from doing so. This Bangor side is a different proposition than the one Town emerged victorious against by an emphatic margin in September.

The stakes will be high for the visitors, which will come with added nerves and an increased sense of urgency. How Gibson’s side cope with this is going to go a long way to determining whether they can secure the crown at the earlies possible opportunity.

Verdict: Win