REPORT: ATFC 5-1 PRESTATYN TOWN

The Black and Greens thrilled their home supporters with another five-star display, beating previously undefeated Ardal North West leaders Prestatyn Town by five goals to one on a pleasant afternoon at Park Avenue. Goals from Aaron Williams (11 mins) and Tom Evans (15 mins) put Town in control, although Tom Hilditch pulled one back for the visitors nine minutes before the break. Prestatyn’s Lewis Evans was red-carded on the hour, and late strikes from Williams (70 mins) and a double from Dan Owen (71 and 75 mins) put the gloss on a strong performance from Craig Williams’ men.

After a combative start, Ryan Kershaw’s free kick from distance needed saving by Aber’s Luke Evans, but then Tarran Hollinshead went on a trademark jinky run and sent in a rasping shot which keeper Adam Reid could only parry into the path of Williams, who gobbled up the chance in front of the Dias. Minutes later, Evans surged forward down the right and found the bottom corner with a low drive, and things were looking good. Hollinshead sent in another dangerous cross, then down the other side Alfie Davies ran fully 70 yards before sending a low effort inches wide of the near post.

Kershaw and Tomas Cardias-Williams went wide for Prestatyn, while at the other end Liam Walsh sent a shot over and Tom Evans clipped an effort just past the far post. Then Hilditch pounced on a defensive mix-up and scored from a tight angle to halve the deficit, and a proper cup tie was on. The Man Mountain of the Match Harry Cottam almost notched twice in injury time, bringing a super save from Reid with a point-blank header, then tapping wide from Walsh’s cross, and at half-time the Greens were 2-1 up.

Prestatyn had a real go after the break and Luke Evans made three superb saves in succession, denying Zebb Edwards and others to safeguard the lead. Then Lewis Evans was sent off for a second yellow card and the pendulum swung back the way of the hosts. Sub Dan Owen saw a shot touched wide, Williams had an effort cleared off the line and Walsh’s header was saved.

Then, with twenty minutes to go, Cottam advanced with the ball and put in a tremendous curling cross from the right, which landed plum for Williams to nod his second goal into the far corner. A minute later, Owen picked up the ball deep and danced through the visiting defence before picking out the far bottom corner for a stunning strike. That was not enough for the Tregaron Messi, and four minutes later he did exactly the same again to make the score 5-1. Evans had to save from Kershaw again at the other end, Owen shot just wide and Gruff Sedgwick sent in a great volley which Reid parried wide. Owen was denied a hat-trick by yet another save from Reid, and Rhys Hughes was the last to be denied by the Prestatyn stopper, but the game was won, with Craig Williams’ men imperious.

So Craig Williams’ magnificent men went nap for a third time already in 2026/27 and earned a place in the Welsh Cup Third Round, or last 32. The draw will be made this week, while Aber return to league action with an away game at Baglan Dragons next Saturday (KO 2.30pm). Join the Southsiders in time for the weekend!