Prestatyn Town secure bragging rights with Boxing Day derby win at Rhyl

The Seasiders produced a scintillating second half display to seal their third straight success, with another three points moving them up to 12th position in the standings as they continue their resurgence under returning manager Neil Gibson.

It was a day to forget for the Lilywhites, who remain in fifth ahead of their next Huws Gray Alliance outing at home to Ruthin Town, with Gibson’s men welcoming second placed Porthmadog as they go in search of a fourth straight triumph (both 2.30pm).

A cagey opening to proceedings brought little in the way of chances, with Ben Maher forcing Lilies’ stopper Jonathan Hill-Dunt into a smart stop from a free-kick on 12 minutes.

The home side came within inches of taking the lead after 14 minutes when a Cai Owen delivery narrowly evaded Barry Torrence and James Murphy, and defender Ben Nash’s header with 19 gone hacked off the line.

Striker Ian Griffiths was proving lively at the other end and the former Prestatyn Sports man fired a half volley over on 26 minutes, and Hill-Dunt rose to the challenge to parry away a fierce strike from Seasiders’ skipper Alex Jones towards the end of the first period.

After the break saw the visitors gain the upper hand on 56 minutes when Jones finally managed to beat Hill-Dunt with a neat finish after good work from Maher and Griffiths, and things got even better for Town soon after when the impressive Danny Davies produced a stunning individual run before firing into the corner to double their advantage.

Davies was the catalyst behind the away side’s third on 73 minutes when he ghosted past Aaron Hassall before feeding Maher, who set-up Griffiths for his ninth league goal of the campaign to send the Seasiders’ faithful into jubilant celebration.

Eddie Maurice-Jones’ side tried valiantly to get themselves back into the derby late on, but they rarely tested keeper Ryan Woods to condemn them to a first defeat in ten.