 What a win! What a fantastic battling performance by
Bangor, against the odds and the Finnish fulltimers.
The records will show that late goals from Dave
Morley and Chris Jones snatched a win when defeat loomed large, but
this was a tremendous team performance - with the bench and the
thousand or so in the stand also playing a huge part.
After both sides wasted early free kicks it was the
dangerous Otaru who threatened with a mazey run on the right which
ended in a goalbound shot that Jamie Brewerton bravely blocked.
Next Vuorinen forced a save from Paul Smith, the Finns forced a couple
of corners and Schuller went close twice in quick succession.
On the 20 minute mark the who fears of the blue horde came
true. Sampo Koskinen
teed the ball up outside the box and unleashed a fierce strike beyond
the diving Paul Smith. Honka had the lead and an away goal.
Puustinen and goalscorer Koskinen went close to adding to the advantage
as Bangor looked to Michael Johnston and the industrious Jamie
Brewerton to stand firm.
As half time beckoned Eddie Jebb cut in from the right and
forced a save from Peltonen but Honka responded with a header from
Koskimaa which Smith saved well. However Bangor ended the half brightly
with Sion Edwards and Les Davies exerting some pressure - and exposing
a more brittle side to the visitors defence. When Koskimaa fouled
Davies 25 yards out it was Edwards' low drive which so nearly crept
inside the righthand upright.
But it drifted wide and at half time City trailed one nil,
two one on aggregate, but with all to play for.
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HALF TIME 1-0
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No changes at half time, but with Bangor continuing to push Chris Jones
forward alongside Les Davies, and cracks starting to appear in the
Honka defence.
But it was the visitors who might have doubled their
advantage when Schuller's inswinging corner was headed off his line by
Michael Johnston. Otaru and Savage went close for Honka as they pressed
for a decisive second goal.
On 62 minutes Alan Bull replaced Eddie Jebb, but lined up
alongside Les Davies with Chris Jones moving to the right wing.
Honka won a corner delivered by Schuller but Vuorinen missed the
target. Bangor got into their stride and in a goalmouth melee Chris
Jones has a shot blocked and hacked away.
Chris Roberts was fouled on the left by
Otaru, took the freekick and Les Davies fired on target but Peltonen
pulled off a good low save. Honka made a substitution as Vasara came on
for Paatelainen. Bangor nearly slipped two behind as Michael Johnston
lost possession in his own half his a timely recovery saved the day.
With fifteen minutes left on the clock Peter Hoy sent over
a trademark long throw which fell to Sion Edwards but he fired over
from the left. Honka countered and Paul Smith did well to keep
out substitute Vasara.
Nicky Ward was shwon the yellow card for a challenge on
Savage with ten minutes remaining. Bangor began to push forward
more and Honka again looked unsure. Chris Jones and Sion Edwards
go close for Bangor before on 85 minutes Edwards delivers a corner
which Dave Morley headed
home from close range! Literally all square in terms of goals on the
night and over the two legs.
Otaru and Savage both went close for Honka before the
fourth official indicated three minutes of added time. But it was
Bangor who stunned the visitors when Chris Jones nipped in to score
from close range after Nicky Ward has shanked his ten yard
effort. Some amazing scenes followed but Bangor still had two
minutes to navigate and the Finns were keen to kick off! In the brief
time remaining substitute Alan Bull went close to adding his name to
the role of honour, but the final whstle was welcomed by all those in
blue - and a good number of well meaning neutrals!
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MoM BANGOR CITY
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Michael Johnston
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MoM OPPOSITION
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Nicholas Otaru
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REFEREE: Arman
Amirkhanyan (Armenia) |
ATTENDANCE: (WREXHAM
RACECOURSE)
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