Huws Gray Alliance Preview: Matchday 10 – Gibson return could give Prestatyn new lease of life
There are eight games this weekend in the Huws Gray Alliance, as the league resumes following the League Cup action last week, with all eyes firmly fixed on Prestatyn Town following the news of Neil Gibson’s return to the club this week.
The man who led the club to promotion to the top flight two years ago has returned to the club, and with new signings already at the club, he will be hoping to start with a win against Gresford this Saturday.
Meanwhile, there is another key clash as Bangor host second placed Flint this Saturday.
Holywell vs Rhyl
Last time out Holywell suffered a 4-o defeat to rivals Buckley Town. John Haseldin will be looking for a much improved performance when they welcome strugglers Rhyl to Halkyn Road. Rhyl haven’t won in the last four league games, director of football Eddie-Maurice-Jones will be looking to stop the rout with a positive result this weekend.
Airbus vs Penrhyncoch
League leaders Airbus have boosted their squad this week with the announcement of striker Joe Chaplin joining from Porthmadog. Airbus are yet to suffer a league defeat and they’re nine points clear of second placed Flint and 11 points ahead of Bangor. Penrhyn picked up a good point at Prestatyn last time out, and will be hoping their period of rest due to Huws Gray Alliance Cup commitments could swing in their favour. But, Airbus will be confident of making it ten in ten.
Bangor vs Flint
This is one of the games of the weekend, as third take on second, with both sides desperate for a win to keep pressure on league leaders Airbus. Bangor won at Prestatyn last time out in the Cup securing a place in the semi final. Flint drew with Conwy Borough in their last league game, and Bangor will be hoping to make sure their comeback goes on for another week.
Conwy vs Porthmadog
Last time out both teams faced each other in the HGA Cup; Porthmadog got the win to book a place in the last four. After the game Borough manager Gareth Thomas’ said his team’s performance “wasn’t good enough” and now his side will be looking for revenge when they welcome Port to Y Morfa.
Denbigh vs Guilsfield
Denbigh crashed out of the HGA Cup last Saturday to league leaders Airbus. Guilsfield picked up three points last time out to Holyhead Hotspurs, and will be hoping to maintain that form heading into this weekend.
Denbigh have just three wins this season, but a win here could see them leapfrog their visitors and climb as high as eighth place.
Gresford vs Prestatyn
Gresford welcome strugglers Prestatyn to Clappers Lane this Saturday. The home side hit six past Llanrhaeadr last time out. But, they face a different animal in Prestatyn this weekend following the announcement of the return of manager Neil Gibson. New signings have already re-joined the club, and this could be the perfect opportunity for Gibson to steady the ship. A potential banana skin awaits for Gresford.
Holyhead vs Buckley
Holyhead secured a valuable victory over Ruthin in the cup last Saturday and will be hoping ro replicate this form in the league. Holyhead will be looking to build on that win as they welcome inform Buckley to the new oval, with the hosts currently rooted to the bottom of the table with just one win to their name.
Darren Garmey will come up against jubilant Darren Moore after he was named the league’s manager of the month for September.
Ruthin vs Llanrhaeadr
Both teams suffered defeats in their last game, Ruthin lost at Holyhead and Llanrhaeadr lost to Gresford. Both managers will be looking for an improvement from their sides.
Despite a positive start, Llanrhaeadr have just one win in their last five, but just two points separate them from the home side and they know a win could be important this weekend.
FEATURED IMAGE: Chris Howells
