Ruthin Town 4 Prestatyn Town 2

A great 3 Points for wellies men.

This was an eagerly awaited match against a much improved Prestatyn Town and Ruthin had the perfect start with a great goal by Tom Roberts with only 4 minutes on the clock. Prestatyn tend to have a narrow formation and I’m sure that part of Chris Williams’ team talk would have been for his fullbacks to push on and take the opportunities afforded them out wide. Tom Roberts did just that. He picked up the ball on the left, inside the Prestatyn half, he pushed on and fired a tremendous shot, wind assisted, into the top left corner of the goal giving Ryan Roberts in the Prestatyn goal absolutely no chance. What a goal.
The pitch was in remarkable condition considering the rain we have had recently but it was still heavy and free flowing football was difficult to achieve despite the attempt to do so by both sides. Both defences coped well with players like Lewis Turner, playing as a holding midfielder, making some telling tackles. It looked like Ruthin would be going into the break ahead until Alex Jones found himself in on goal on 41 minutes. With only Ryan Goldston to beat he slotted the ball into the corner to make it 1-1 on the break.
Ruthin went ahead for the second time 9 minutes into the second half when the ball came through a forest of legs from a corner. The ever alert Llyr Morris was lurking on the line to prod the ball home. Ruthin’s joy was short lived as following the kick off Ben Maher beat a couple of men in the box to smash the ball into the top corner. This was becoming a proper game of football with some really good goals.
Things really livened up when Ruthin had two penalty shouts. The first was a hand ball which was less obvious than the second. Tom Roberts was clearly tripped in full flight well inside the box. Had the referee seen the incident from the angel of this observer then there would have been no doubt in his mind. It was no question a penalty. Sadly for Ruthin the referee didn’t agree. This set back seemed to galvanise the home side as they began to dominate the game with Prestatyn tiring in the heavy conditions.
Enter Tom Williams. This young man often has moments of sheer inspiration and he produced another on 70 minutes. He controlled the ball wide of the goal, on the left had side just inside the penalty area. He looked up and chipped the keeper with the deftest of chips into the top corner ala Eric Cantona. An excellent goal.
Ruthin were in control when they had a third penalty appeal as Ryan Roberts came out of his goal and completely upended Tom Williams as he was flying past him. This time the referee pointed to the spot. Up steps captain Ilan Hughes who once again belted the ball past the keeper to give the home side a two goal cushion with 13 minutes to go. There were further opportunities for both sides. Ryan Goldston in the Ruthin goal was forced into making some really good saves as Prestatyn continued to look dangerous on the break. The game ended with a goalmouth scramble which Prestatyn managed to clear right at the death.
A really good three points against a good side who always looked dangerous.