|
|
Bangor |
| 1999-00 |
2000-01 |
2001-02 |
2002-03 |
2003-04 |
2004-05 |
JAN-MAY |
| 44 |
|
|
THE WELSH CUP |
|
|
|
Congratulations to Rhyl who won
this well attended Weslh Cup Final at The Racecourse Ground in Wrexham.
An open and largely unventful first half in which Rhyl created the clearer chances quickly transformed into the inevitable, dominated by a rank bad decision by a substandard referee. The pre match news centred on the selection of Ian Havard in goal ahead of Andrew Price behind Kyle Jones in the defence rather than Ben Ogilvy who had been outstanding at Park Avenue. With a high ball assault on the horizon Adam Docker could only watch from the bench. How the first 45 minutes remained goalless must have mystified John Hulse as his Rhyl side carved a handful of clear cut openings wasted by Andy Moran. With the City defence coming under pressure from the route one approach, Greg Stones headed wide from a deep cross from Stuart Graves whilst Moran drove over and wide in the opening exchanges. Young Ian Havard calmed Bangor nerves with a clean catch from another Graves cross. City weathered the storm and Paul Roberts fired on target from long range and then young student Mike Linnecar tested John Gann who was relieved to push behind as the ball arrowed into the top right hand corner. Paul Roberts then ran past three of the big Rhyl defenders - who numbered four centrebacks in their line up - but shot tamely at the diminutive Gann. Moran unsettled City but again slashed his effort wide when well placed. Neither side managed to play much constructive football in a first half which saw the ball given away too easily and both sides looking for the long clearance. The half time whistle was welcomed by City fans who felt they had everything to play for still in the second period. |
||||
| HALF
TIME 0-0 |
||||
| However within
three minutes of the restart the major talking point of the afternoon emerged.
A long hopeful ball down the left caught Clayton Blackmore in two minds
and allowed Andy Moran in on the left. His low cross struck Paul O'Neill
on the right arm. Penalty. Moran drove his cross from close range
at the whole hearted defender whose arms were close to his side. This
was a poor decision and one which saw City trailing 1-0 as Andy Moran duly netted from the spot despite encroachment
from both sets of players which was not spotted by the previously eagle eyed
official. His eyesight dimmed but not his hearing; Chris Priest dismissed
for dissent. By 48 minutes the match was over, and the afternoon rendered meaningless for the 1200 or so Bangor fans amongst the 1700 crowd. Clayton Blackmore re-organised by switching to a 3-4-2 formation and pushed Kyle Jones into midfield. Versatile left footer Martin Beattie and Paul O'Neill worked overtime to keep the Lilywhites at bay. Rhyl used the extra space although City fought hard and played some reasonable football and Paul Roberts turned and fired goalwards but saw hit shot blocked by Timmy Edwards, one of five former Citizens in the starting eleven. On 78 minutes it was 2-0 and game over. Another cross from Stuart Graves found Gareth Wilson alone in the box and his unstoppable strike beat Ian Havard from twelve yards. City fans sensed the inevitable but were literally handed a lifeline when George Horan palmed a ball high over his head for a penalty kick on 87 minutes. But to round off a rueful day Paul Roberts blasted over into the Eric Roberts Stand to the dismay of the noisy blue contingent. And that was about it. Paul O'Neill went close one last time, Lee Hunt missed from close range and Whitby blew time on a match he had done much to ruin for both sets of fans. The irony being that Rhyl, the bigger, stronger and more experienced side were favourites and may well have won without "divine" intervention. |
||||
|
||||
|
| 43 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|