On a sunny Saturday afternoon at the Double Time Distribution Stadium, the 2023/24 JD Cymru North campaign got underway for Gresford Athletic against Prestatyn Town.

The first half was an even affair, with both teams having chances.

Dominic Deacon was the first Gresford Athletic player to have an effort in the 11th minute, but it went wide of the post.

Mike Jones was then called upon in goal, denying Prestatyn Town's Dan Atkins the opener in the 18th minute.

Prestatyn Town let Gresford Athletic off with a warning in the 32nd minute after a looping shot hit the inside of the post, but did not cross the line.

In the 44th minute, just before half time, Dominic Deacon had another good effort, but again, the ball did not reach the back of the net and the half time score remained at 0-0 and both Gresford Athletic and Prestatyn Town looking to break the deadlock.

Gresford Athletic started the second 45 minutes with some good possession, forcing a save from Prestatyn Town goalkeeper Michael Jones in the 51st minute, but the Seasiders did slowly grow into the half.

Then, in the 78th minute, a powerful strike from Prestatyn Town's Karl Clair blasted past everyone and found the top corner of the net, giving the home side the lead going into the last ten minutes.

Prestatyn Town almost doubled their lead in the fifth minute of added time, but Adam Hesp worked hard and managed to clear the ball off the line.

The game ended with a scoreline of 1-0 to Prestatyn Town, with Gresford Athletic coming away empty handed on matchday one.

Gresford Athletic's Man of the Match, as voted for on Twitter, was Mike Jones, who made plenty of good saves on his competitive debut for the club.

Prestatyn Town

Starting XI: Jones (GK), Mossman, Burke, Murphy, Coulton, Cahill (C), Davies (Lawal - 61'), Pearson, Magee (Holden - 79'), Clair, Atkins

Subs not used: Shelbourne, Stevens

Goalscorers: Clair

Yellow cards: Pearson

Gresford Athletic

Starting XI: Jones (GK), J. Smith, Hesp, Roberts, Mann, Griffiths (C), Johnson (Buxton - 59'), Williams, Edge, Deacon, Spridgeon

Subs not used: Busby (GK), Ellis, Chaplin, Killilea, Pickering

Match Officials