| BANGOR
CITY MATCH REPORTS 2008-09 |
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| BANGOR
CITY MATCH REPORTS 2008-09 |
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| 1999-00 |
2000-01 |
2001-02 |
2002-03 |
2003-04 |
2004-05 |
2005-06 |
2006-07 |
2007-08 |
| 51 |
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The Welsh Cup |
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 Bangor retained the
Welsh Cup for the first time in more than a hundred years of trying by
defeating Aberystwyth at Parc Y Scarlets in Llanelli on Bank Holiday
Monday. The all important goals came from Les Davies and
Christian Seargeant.After the early exchanges Bangor took control and kept a grip on proceedings for much of the afternoon. There was an early scare though when Les Davies was forced off with a knee injury inside five minutes and seemed set to be replaced before the big left footer gave manager Nev Powell the thumbs up and re-entered the fray. Bangor forced the early pace and Kieran Killackey saw his low drive flash wide after Peter Hoy's cross was headed out to the edge of the box by Aneurin Thomas. Aber broke from a second Hoy cross but Michael Johnston snuffed out the threat. On the quarter hour mark a series of three corners and a couple of long throws ended with Sion Edwards firing over from ten yards. On 21 minutes City had the ball in the net - Peter Hoy won a high ball and Christian Seargeant headed home - but Referee Jones disallowed what looked a perfectly good goal for a non existent foul on 'keeper Dave Roberts. By this time the Bangor midfield of Limbert, Walsh, Killackey and Edwards was winning the 50-50 challenges. On 25 minutes a freekick on the left from Sion Edwards was headed on by Les Davies but Christian Seargeant headed off target. But any complacency that might have been felt by the blue support was shaken when Robert Evans hit the post from ten yards with Paul Smith beaten. Five minutes later a fifth Bangor corner - won by Christian Seargeant - was cleared for Aber to won their first flag kick taken by Kellaway and eventually headed wide by Chris Venables. With less than a minute on the clock Bangor won a freekick on the left. Marc Limbert delivered and Les Davies rose highest to head over Roberts and the covering defenders for a vital lead. Kellaway flashed goalwards for Aber, won a corner, but City cleared easily. Aber came back and Kellaway rounded Dave Swanick but City's rightback did enough to force his rising drive off target. Referee Jones blew and the tea and biscuits beckoned. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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With less than four minutes gone after the restart Sion James
hesitated, Les Davies pounced, and squared the ball near post where Christian Seargeant
turned smartly to clip the ball through Christian Edwards and beyond
Dave Roberts for the all important second goal. Moments later there was a chance for a third. Marc Limbert's deep cross from the left was fired over by Jamie Brewerton from the right. Ten minutes into the second period Chris Venables was carded for a foul on Paul Smith before Aberystwyth sent on 16 year old Shrewsbury Town trialist Tom Bradshaw for Graham Evans. Within a minute Les Davies was also carded for a sliding tackle on Aneurin Thomas with whom he had enjoyed a tit for tat battle. On the hour Aber won a corner on the right but Aneurin Thomas headed well over. A neat passing move on the left resulted in Geoff Kellaway - who struggled to make any impact - hitting the side netting. Kellaway rose to the challenge with an incisive run into the Bangor box but Michael Johnston slid in with a perfectly timed block. With twenty minutes remaining Bari Morgan slid in young Bradshaw but he blasted the shot at Paul Smith and the chance was gone. City responded by replacing Sion Edwards with Martin Beattie who slotted in on the left with Peter Hoy moving infield. As the last ten minutes came into focus Les Davies made way for teenager Clive Williams. After a spell of defence City pushed up field and Martin Beattie's pass found Christian Seargeant who forced a full length save out of Roberts. Two minutes from time the hugely impressive Kieran Killackey limped off for Paul McManus who was quickly into the action. Aber sent Aneurin Thomas upfront with Kellaway and Bradshaw but Hoy, Johnston and Brewerton dealt with the danger. Four minutes of added time emerged, Dave Roberts booted and Thomas headed high over. Bangor stood firm and celebrated loudly when Mr Jones finally whistled and confirmed the victory. |
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| 50 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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 What turned out to be an uplifting win in difficult
circumstances was secured by a youthful City wide who wore the blue
shirt with pride.There was a core of experience with the outstanding Peter Hoy dominant alongside big Jamie Brewerton. And when tested - as he was in the first half in particular - young 'keeper Kyle Williams was also up to the challenge. Newtown had the better of the early exchanges and might have gone ahead when Craig Moses raced clearl but goalkeeper Williams saved with his feet. The corner - Newtown's third - was punched clear emphatically by the Penyfford youngster. On the half hour the troublesome Moses was in again but his goalbound chip was cleared by a retreating Martin Beattie. From the corner Danny Jellicoe rose highest but headed over. City won a corner which Jamie Brewerton headed off taget but moments later the home side were on the attack again with another raid led by Moses which Kyle Williams did well to snuff out. Bangor's closest effort came from Marc Limbert whose shot was blocked after good build up play on the right involving Matt Sargent and Kev Lloyd. Bangor's best moments came when Mike Walsh passed the ball around but overall The Robins defence was not troubled enough to satisfy Nev Powell. On 34 minutes Newtown deservedly went ahead. Adam Worton and Craig Hutchinson combined in midfield to supply Nicky Ward whose first time ball released Craig Moses. He ran past Matt Sargent, saw his initial effort blocked by Williams, but kept his cool to slot home from close range despite a last ditch attempted clearance by Sargent. Two minutes later a second Bangor corner and loud penalty appeals - what seemed to just about everyone a blatant handball by Worton - but nothing doing. Five minutes before the interval Peter Hoy's long throw from the right prompted a goalbound effort from Marc Limbert which dipped for Paul McManus to fire wide. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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Before the restart 16 year old John Owen replaced midfielder
Mike Walsh in a reshuffle which saw Paul McManus switch to the left
wing and Christian Seargeant move into centre midfield. It worked
like a charm! Within a minute of the kick off Kev Lloyd combined
with Marc
Limbert on the left and his low drive beat Dave Jones when
perhaps the 'keeper should have done better. Two minutes later substitute John Owen hit the post after a telling cross from Marc Limbert on the right. On 53 minutes a rash challenge by Nicky Ward on captain Limbert in front of the Bangor dugout earned the former Wrexham striker the only yellow card of the afternoon. The resulting freekick was headed on by Kev Lloyd but lifted over by Paul McManus at full stretch. Moments later a double change saw Dylan Roberts replace Marc Limbert and Neil Mitchell come on for Richard Evans. With Matt Sargent lining up alongside Christian Seargeant in midfield young Roberts slotted in confidently at rightback. Five minutes later City had the lead. Kev Lloyd controlled Seargeant's forward pass on the right and turned smartly before sending over a low cross which John Owen cleverly left for Paul McManus to side foot home in style. The former Chester striker grew visibly as the game went on and ran fullback Adam Worton ragged. Newtown responded through their chief threat Craig Moses but his rising drive hit the trees at the carpark end. On 65 minutes Nicky Ward was replaced by Chris Carroll. Shane Sutton sent a 30 yarder on target but Kyle Williams saved comfortably. With twenty minutes remaining Craig Williams charged into the Bangor box but Matt Sargent flew in with a brave block. Bangor went hunting a third and Caio Iwan saw his close range effort fly over atter Christian Seargeant and John Owen had created the opening. John Owen combined well with Paul McManus to carve open the home defence but Dave Jones did well to gather Christian Seargeant's fifteen yarder at the second attempt. Seargeant and Peter Hoy - who was outstanding at the back for Bangor - both went close before two more changes on 79 minutes. Another debutant for Bangor in the form of Guto Hughes replaced Kev Lloyd and for Newtown Kieron Groves for Craig Williams. The third and final goal came immediately after. Matt Sargent's throw in was flicked on by Paul McManus for Christian Seargeant who chased down the right. His goalbound effort deflected off goalkeeper Jones and invited the calmest of close range headers from sixteen year old John Owen who confirmed the reputation won with the young reserves. Neil Mitchell might have closed the gap in injury time but it mattered not as referee Tregonning blew for time and City's young side celebrated a deserved win against a near full strength Newtown. |
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| 49 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| A brusing encounter with struggling Prestatyn left
City counting the cost as three key players left the field with
injuries, incuding one carried off in the dying minutes. Attacking the St Pauls End, into a stiff breeze, Prestatyn forged the first opening as robust striker Ian Griffiths raced on goal but was denied by a well timed tackle from Michael Johnston who ran across from the left. Moments later Les Davies was injured in a challenge by Dave Hayes which earned the defender a yellow card - the only one shown to his side by lenient referee Paul Thomas. On the quarter hour City could have done better when Les Davies charged to the left of the box but his intended square pass for Clive Williams drifted behind the Penygroes youngster and his delayed shot struck the burly Dunt's midrift. Johnston had not recovered from his earlier challenge and limped off on 18 minutes to be replaced by Caio Iwan, with the versatile Williams switching to centreback alongside Peter Hoy. City won a couple of corners at the Farrar End, the second of which saw Paul McManus lash over from eighteen yards. Town responded with another run from Ian Griffiths but his shot was lacked power and Paul Smith saved comfortably. On the half hour Peter Hoy sent in a long throw from the right, Paul McManus snatched at his shot and Mike Walsh fired high over the bar. Caio Iwan unsettled the visitors defence with a good run but a misunderstanding on the right ended the danger. On 39 minutes Ciyt had the lead. Another long throw from Peter Hoy was headed on at the near post by Les Davies and nodded beyond Dunt by Mike Walsh from six yards out. In the closing minute a repeat effort - this time the throw from the left - saw Walsh force a superb one handed save from Dunt whose movement defies his bulky appearance. After two minutes of added time referee Thomas blew a whistle most fans struggled to hear throughout and both sides left the field in bright sunshine with City leading by a solitary goal. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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The first moment of the second half saw Peter Hoy flattened
by Griffiths who lunged in from several yards. Again the leniency
of referee Thomas - however well intended - was proving costly to
Bangor. On 50 minutes the scores were level. Steve Hoult drew a mistimed challenge from the hugely promising Williams and might have had a penalty. Play on - and Prestatyn did - as player manager Neil Gibson shot on goal, saw his shot take a wicked deflection and float into the Bangor net. Bangor won a corner which was half cleared to Kieran Killackey but his shot sailed over Dunt's bar. Ian Griffiths continued to press and a mistimed challenge by Martin Beattie saw a freekick delivered by Gibons but cleared by Killackey. Bangor's most potent attacking threat was Christian Seargeant playing down the left. His run ended in a fifth corner headed on target by young Clive Williams but held by Dunt. On the hour Peter Hoy sent in a trademark long throw which Les Davies headed on but Paul McManus - who in fairness to the eighteen year old seemed to be trying too hard at times - lashed over. Seconds later Davies slid a ball through on the right for McManus but he pulled his shot across goal. Five minutes later he made way for nineteen year old Matt Sargent. The game was now very open with both sides looking for a winner. Christian Seargeant and Ian Griffiths both prominent as the game switched end to end. With twenty minutes to go Alex Williams replaced the lanky but anonymous Parker who appeared to have injured himself. Christian Seargeant slid a ball in near post to Les Davies on the left but his shot lacked power and Dunt was on hand. With fifteen minute to go Dave Swanick limped off and Marc Limbert slotted in at rightback. Substitute Williams ran through but fired well over from long range before Karl Murrary - who had scored in the match at Bastion Road - came on for Steve Harris. On ninety minutes City won a seventh and final corner which resulted in a harsh tackle from behind on Les Davies which resulted in the big striker being stretched off and some unkind words spoken by player manager Gibson and his well fed goal keeper. Nonetheless the final whistle blew on a fair result overall and one celebrated by the visitors given that relegation had been avoided - perhaps they knew Caerws has lost. |
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| 48 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| Welsh Cup finalists Bangor shared the spoils with
doomed Caernarfon before a crowd of some 500, around half of what might
have been expected over the original Christmas period date. With only on Caernarfon lad on the pitch it was probably inevitable that he would be involved in the action. So it was on 22 minutes that a ball forward from Martin Beattie provoked a mishit clearance from Kieran Molyneux which found Les Davies on the edge of the Canaries box. He slid in Kevin Lloyd who beat the resolute Lee Guinion from fifteen yards to the delight of the Farrar End who celebrated loudly behind Guinion's goal. The Merseyside contingent have fought with spirit all season, but as in the case have been repeatedly undone by terrible defending. Spurred on by the gifted Tom Grice they forced Paul Smith to save from Ashley Ruane's header from the left. City bounced back with a trademark Peter Hoy long throw, Les Davies upsetting the visitors defence and Kieran Killackey lashing a volley over from fifteen yards. Sion Edwards saw a goalbound effort strike a defender whilst Kev Lloyd, enjoying an outing against his former club, fired wide from 25 yards as he sought a second goal. But the Canaries fought back and drew level some five minutes before the interval. A defensive lapse on half way saw the ball run to nineteen year old Tom Grice who ran some twenty five yards before beating Paul Smith with a fierce strike which crashed into the roof of the St Pauls net. The former England Schoolboy cap has been the stand out player for the strugglers all season and seems destined for better things. Half time then and all square at Farrar Road. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 |
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Before the restart Bangor replaced the hard working Kieran
Killackey with young Paul McManus, but a second change ten minutes
later was of more concern. Goalscoring striker Kev Lloyd suffered
a neck injury and was seen to leave the ground in an ambulance.
His place was taken by Andy Mitchell. Both sides had chances to snatch all three points. James Glendenning found Tom Grice on the edge of the box but this time his clean strike hit the crossbar. Then Marc Limbert crossed from the left but Les Davies headed wide from infront of goal. In the closing minutes a long ball forward from Marc Limbert caused confusion in the visitors defence, Lee Guinion found himself on no mans land on the edge of the box, but Paul McManus fired into the side netting as the angle finally got the better of him on the left. With time running out manager Nev Powell gave sixteen year old striker John Owen his WP debut in place of Sion Edwards, and the Bangor born youngster went close to adding to his impressive tally at reserve level but could not find the net. So all square, the visitors awaiting their fate - there could still be no club relegated - and City looking forward to a second successive Welsh Cup Final. Manager Powell would have to wait for news on injury victims Lloyd and Edwards, and negotiate tricky end of season games with Prestatyn and then at Newtown. |
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| 47 |
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The Welsh Cup |
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 Welsh Cup holders Bangor
City reached the 2009 Final with a 2-1 defeat of Welsh League opponents
Bridgend Town at Park Avenue, and later found out they would face
Aberystwyth in that decisive play off.On a bright sunny afternoon City boss Nev Powell opted for Paul McManus upfront alongside the Maesgeirchen colossus Les Davies. But it was the underdogs from South Wales who struck first after launching a high speed counter attack. City were attacking the Dias Stand, a long throw from the left was cleared amid cries for a penalty. Nothing doing from Referee Lee Evans who kept pace with former Cwmbran striker Raith Plant as he chased down the left. At the vital moment Plant slipped but this seemed to wrongfoot the Bangor defence. Plant regained his composure if not his feet to cross invitingly for Ramir Outlow to side foot home from ten yards. With the opening goal times at 18 minutes it was less than sixty seconds later that Bangor levelled. Les Davies won a free kick on the left, close to the corner flag. Marc Limbert picked out Christian Seargeant on the edge of the D and his low shot beat the diving Cropley inside the righthand post. The Welsh League side had Paul Smith at full stretch as Dale Raven, once of Newtown, sent a dipping volley arrowing into the top right hand corner from some thirty yards. But the former Connahs Quay custodian palmed over at full stretch and the danger passed. Bangor won a freekick on the right and, from Marc Limbert's pinpoint delivery, Les Davies headed powerfully against the very middle of the crossbar with Cropley well beaten. Half time than an all square, with both sides contributing to an entertaining match at sunny Park Avenue. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 |
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There were no changes at the interval, five minutes on Dale
Raven was shown the yellow card by Referee Evans, the first of the
afternoon. On 69 minutes the second - and final - yellow of the afternoon was shown to Christian Seargeant. Then four minutes later the first substitution as Kieran Killackey replaced Paul McManus. Two minutes later City won a throw on the left, propelled rocket style by Peter Hoy into the six yard area. Two Town defenders struggled to clear but managed only to scramble the ball to the edge of the box where sub Kieran Killackey was on hand to drive home, low if not hard. City went close to doubling their lead when Sion Edwards robbed Harrison Kingston and crossed for Les Davies, but as he struggled to push the ball out of his feet Scott Hillman slid in and did enough to force the big striker to shoot wide. With three minutes on the clock came three changes, Martin Beattie on for Sion Edwards, and Bridgend pair Waters and Wallis coming on for goalscorer Outlow and Jenkins. In the final moments of added time Bridgend won a corner which Dale Raven crossed high but Paul Smith rose highest of all to gather comfortably and Referee Evans whistled for time. Bangor celebrated, Bridgend looked dejected, but they had played a full part in close fought game which had to end with winners and losers. |
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| 46 |
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Loosemores Cup |
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| An early penalty for TNS and a red card for their
itinerant striker Matthew Berkerley were the two talking points after
this cup final was won by the full timers at Latham Park, Newtown. Bangor had the better of a lacklustre opening ten minutes but could not force Paul Harrison into action. With their first foray forwards TNS won a corner which resulted in Steve Evans throwing his sizeable frame to the ground after contact from Jamie Brewerton. Penalty. Up stepped long serving midfielder John Leah who converted with ease to put the Park Hall side ahead. The penalty was perhaps generous but the next fifteen minutes passed with little incident before Marc Limbert sent a high free kick into the TNS box which Les Davies met strongly but his header was too close to Harrison. On the half hour the best move of the game began with a long throw from Peter Hoy, delivered down the left touchline. Christian Seargeant controlled and played a clever pass to Sion Edwards whose cross was headed on by Les Davies. Mike Walsh headed goalwards but could not get the better of the former Southport stopper. Les Davies fired a shot over the crossbar before, with five minutes remaining, the well travelled Berkerley raced goalwards from the left but could not beat Paul Smith with his low drive. Moments later though Referee Southall consulted his assistant before showing the red card to Berkerley for a clash with Michael Johnston which left the young defender flat on his back. With added time there were still some five minutes to be played out and Bangor had the momentum. The turning point came in those closing minutes when Sion Edwards ran into the box from the left, bewlidering rightback Hogan. The ball ran into the path of Les Davies whose trademark cannonball shot rattled the crossbar but fell safely for TNS. There was still time for a Bangor corner won by Christian Seargeant but headed off target by Jamie Brewerton. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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Both teams had a chance to regroup and review their
tactics. TNS might have doubled their advantage when John Leah
broke down the left but his shot was wide and into the trapped City
fans at the "wrong end". Bangor launched a concerted assault on the TNS goal, three corners in a row which resulted in Darlington clearing a goalbound header from Mike Walsh off the line. With that behind them the full timers settled and with Phil Baker and Steve Evans in dominant mood, gave Harrison a relatively trouble free time. In midfield the long serving Leah impressed whilst front runner Darlington gave the blues defence some problems. With twenty minutes left a foul by Phil Baker some thirty five yards out gave City a freekick. Marc Limbert delivered high into the box, Les Davies headed on and Harrison was on hand to hold an overhead effort from Peter Hoy at the righthand post. TNS broke immediately and but for a weak effort from Scott Ruscoe might have doubled their advantage. On 73 minutes Bangor made a double change. Dave Swanick and Sion Edwards made way for Paul McManus and Kev Lloyd. But two minutes later the Shropshire side had the cushion of a second goal. An overhit cross from John McKenna from the right caught the blues defence offguard. The lively Darlington gathered and crossed from the left for Connal Murtagh to slot home from close range. Bangor huffed and puffed by Baker and Evans stood firm. Kev Lloyd fired over from twenty five yards, Mike Walsh had a shot cleared off the line by Steve Evans, and Jamie Brewerton headed over. With seven minutes left Andy Mitchell came on for Michael Johnston who had suffered a number of knocks. Bangor won a later corner which Kev Lloyd headed on target but without sufficient power to trouble Harrison. After sub Craig Whitfield had gone close for TNS and Paul McManus fired wide for Bangor, Referee Southall blew for time and the green & white clad supporters were able to celebrate as City fans headed for home. |
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| 45 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| A dry, bouncy pitch which offered little either team
resulted in a game of high ball and chase which, given their greater
need, relegation strugglers Cefn won deservedly enough in the end. Bangor offered recalls to Jamie Brewerton at centrehalf - Clive Williams was on the bench - and Sion Edwards on the left wing. Cefn opted for former City favourite Ricky Evans alone upfront with no sign of the promising John Rush in the starting eleven or bench. Bangor had the better of the first half, playing towards the trees, and Christian Seargeant forced Ged McGuigan into a save on thirteen minutes with a clean 25 yard strike which the bulky stopper caught comfortably. Minutes later a first corner on the left was intercepted at the near post by Michael Johnston but his first time flick went the wrong side of the upright. City continued to press and a couple more corners followed, but in fairness this half was dominated by the pitch and the reluctance of either side to play the ball along a treacherous surface. For Bangor big Jamie Brewerton was impressive whilst young Shrewbury based Dan Barnett dug deep for The Druids. Referee Duncan of Ellesmere has enjoyed a trouble free evening until the 42 minute when a wild lunge from Aled Rowlands, playing at rightback, flattened Dave Swanick who needed lengthy treatment. It seemed a red card challenge from long range, but yellow sufficed and following another stoppage for treatment to Michael Johnston who had also been clobbered, the players trudged off. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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Barely had the second half got underway than a Bangor attack
broke down and Cefn scored. Josh Griffiths led a break our which
involved Andy Edgar, some frantic defending from the blues, before the
ball fell for Kevin
Holsgrove to flash a rising shot into the top lefthand corner
from the edge of the box. The languid left footer was an Everton
youths teammate of James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe and is flashes
shows why. From then on the pattern was set. Bangor had more of the ball and attacked, Cefn broke with purpose and might have doubled their lead. The immediate response was direct. Two corners, the first deep to Peter Hoy who forced a brilliant reflex save from McGuigan, the second tempting Andy Mitchell to shoot but unhappily his effort flew over. Dave Swanick was still hampered by the last minute injury and it was no surprise that he gave way to Martin Beattie on 54 mins. Two minutes later Mark Powell, unkempt but industrious, was yellow carded for refusing to retreat ten yards at a freekick which Chris Seargeant crossed a fraction too high for Peter Hoy. On the hour Cefn won a corner before Paul McManus replaced Sion Edwards who seemed to leave field with no further worries despte some heavy tackles. A sixth Bangor corner picked out Kieran Killackey but his fierce drive hit Barnett and span over McGuigan's goal and onto the roof of the net. Cefn enjoyed some possession, a couple more corners, but no real threat posed. On 67 minutes Clive Williams, a defender for the reserves the night before, came on for Andy Mitchell and went upfront alongside Kev Lloyd. A seventh corner followed, a breakneck charge upfield by Cefn but the combination of Michael Johnston and the hugely promising Williams snuffed it out. On 71 mins Geraint Lewis ambled on for Josh Griffiths who had run himself into the ground. Cefn went close, Bangor now countered but Kev Lloyd screweed his shot, then Andrew Edgar fired well wide. Time had to run out and eventually it did, and the Druids nearly doubled their advantage when Paul Smith's mishit clearance invited a long range effort from substitute Lewis but he failed to hit the target. City rolled their corner tally up to ten, Dan Barnett cleared yet again, and the whistle blew on a famous and much needed victory for the Druids. |
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| 44 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| Bangor boss Nev Powell gave Clive Williams a first
start in central defence alongside Michael Johnston and the eighteen
year old Penygroes defender did enough to suggest he has a fine future
at this level. Playing down the hill, right to left as the specators were obliged to watch, Bangor dominated the opening 25 minutes and could easily have been two or three goals to the good. The first corner, in the first minute, saw Marc Limbert cross and Chris Seargeant scuff his shot wide from ten yards. Welshpool countered but Paul Smith was comfortably equal to Steve Roger's low shot. A second City corner was gathered impressively by 'Pool keeper Danny Jones but moments later Dave Swanick's curling cross from the right fell to Chris Seargeant whose shot was half cleared and resulted in a foul and freekick on the edge of the box. Chris Seargeant's effort cleared the wall but struck the hedge behind the goal. City continued to press, a Peter Hoy long throw found Les Davies but his header looped over, then a second delivery dropped for Chris Seargeant but he shot across goal and out for a goalkick. Against the run of play Welshpool went ahead. Kyle Jacobs crossed from the right, Paul Roberts headed against the crossbar and the alert Steve Rogers found the net with a low drive from ten yards with the blues defence flatfooted. Bangor won another corner which landed on the roof of the net, then Kieran Killackey fired over from twenty yards. Most of Bangor's attacks came down the left and one corner from that side resulted in a clever cushioned header from Chris Seargeant which set up Marc Limbert who ran on goal but fired wide. The half time whistle blew with Welshpool a goal up, Bangor guilty of not converting chances, but with every reason to feel optimistic about the second period. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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Within two minutes of the restart City went close again when
Les Davies blasted narrowly wide from 25 yards out on the left. Bangor continued to press, playing uphill, with the travelling contingent now behind the top goal and close to the home dugout occupied by former blues assistant manager Huw Griffiths. An attack up the left wing by Chris Seargeant yielded a corner which was headed powerfully goalwards by Peter Hoy but Jones' fingertips saved the day. Welshool pushed forwards and enjoyed a better spell with Richard Harris in the thick of the action and Roberts and Rogers testing Michael Johnston and teenager Clive Williams to the full. With twenty minutes left a seventh blues corner - but the first from the right - was hacked clear before fell runner Andy Davies replaced former City defender Kyle Jacobs. On 82 minutes Bangor were finally level. A foul by Timmy Edwards on Peter Hoy, a freekick right on the edge of the box, eighteen yard line, just to the right of centre. With Huw Jones opting to pull the ball back four yards and get the wall to retreat by a similar amount, there was eight yards for Chris Seargeant to lift the ball up and dip it into the Welshpool net, which he duly did! Before the restart a double change, with former Chester youngsters Paul McManus and Andy Mitchell coming on for captain Marc Limbert and Les Davies, who both left the field with knocks. It was Mitchell who went closest to grabbing a deserved winner as he latched onto a long throw from the right but sent his shot just over Jones's crossbar. Oddly the timewasting tactics employed by former Shawbury stopper Jones now disappeared. A final whinge? Referee Huw Jones appeared to acknowledge there was timewasting afoot, presided over a stoppage whilst Les Davies was injured, officiated over four substitutions but added only just minutes. Nevertheless an away point well earned and some pleasing perfomances, not least from debutant defender Clive Williams who grew into the game and the hard working Kev Lloyd who unsettled the home defence throughout. To his credit there we no yellow or red cards shown. |
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| 43 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| City lost this wet and windswept battle with mid table
visitors Newtown after conceding two goals in five minutes in the
second half. With both sides partly below par due to injury and
suspension, several youngsters were involved either from the start or
on the bench. Playing with the wind and attacking the St Pauls End, the home side struggled to keep control and found the conditions difficult despite the supposed advantage. Newtown forced a series of corners and Bangor were relieved to see Dave Swanick hack one effort off the line with goalkeeper Paul Smith for once beaten. When City attacked the Robins goalkeeper Dave Jones looked less than sure of himself but - one way or another - survived with his goal and clean sheet intact. The best chances for City involved Christian Seargeant who had one twenty yarder tipped over the bar by Jones and saw a couple more efforts blocked by Clarke and Jellicoe. As half time approached Bangor might have done better when Christian Seargeant ran on goal, looked to pass to Les Davies who was well placed, but instead picked out Clarke and the chance was gone. However the half time scoreline remained blank and both sides were glad of a welcome break. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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Playing into the wind Bangor again failed to impsoe
themselves on the Mid Wales side. On 67 minutes Nev Powell made the first change of the evening, sending Paul McManus onto the pitch in place of Kev Lloyd who is gradually regaining match fitness. Two minutes later, on 69 former Cefn Druids left footer Nicky Ward put the visitors infront with an inswinging corner that flew into the net courtesy of the wind sweeping into the St Pauls End, despite the best efforts of Kieran Killackey. Five minutes later it was 2-0 as Shane Sutton netted after another cross had not been cleared. In between the two goals Bangor replaced injured leftback Martin Beattie with Andy Mitchell. With less than fifteen minutes remaining Chris Seargeant struck for Bangor with the goal of the night. Andy Mitchell gathered the ball on the left wing and played infield tothe former Everton youth who fortunately evaded a wild lunge from centreback Huw Clarke. The ball ran to Paul McManus who passed back out to the left for Christian Seargeant who ran at goal, beating half the Newtown defence before slotting the ball past Dave Jones in the Newtown goal. Although the proved to the end of the scoring there was still drama to unfold as Neil Mitchell launched into a lunge on blues defender Dave Swanick which this time did not go unpunished by referee Harms. A red card seemed a little harsh but the former Caersws winger was forced to walk off, the clubs' fourth red card in as many games. Goalscorer Sutton was also yellow carded for a lunge on Les Davies which was probably worse than Mitchell's as City pressed. With three minutes left player manager Darren Ryan replaced Craig Moses and the visitors were soon able to celebrate a rare away win which lifted them above local rivals Welshpool. |
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| 42 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| A solitary goal, a majestic freekick from Christian
Seargeant, was enough to secure all three points for Bangor against a
determined Airbus side. Strengthened by the return of centrebacks Mark Allen and Gareth Sudlow, the visitors were visibly stronger at the back and opted to push utility man Mark Cadwallader into the attack alongside James McIntosh. Bangor boss Nev Powell swopped Peter Hoy for Jamie Brewerton with Dave Swanick slotting in at rightback. Upfront Paul McManus partnered Les Davies. Playing into the Farrar End hosts Bangor won an early corner on the right which Marc Limbert swung into and struck the near post. There was a stoppage whilst Michael Johnson was treated for a facial injury, the lanky Cadwallder was lucky not to shown a card of some colour for his part in this incident and another moments later. On fifteen minutes City went close with a neat flick forward from Paul McManus but Marc Limbert could not find the target with a header at full stretch. Airbus responded with a fine run from Ryan Edwards which was half blocked by Paul Smith and clattered clear by Martin Beattie. As the visitors strove for the lead Beattie was alert and acted as a sweeper on a couple of occasions, cutting across from the left as danger threatened. On the half hour Bangor had the lead. A freekick to the left of the box invited a curler from Christian Seargeant which beat the despairing Doran into the net. Airbus went close through centreback Sudlow who headed over when well placed, then makeshift striker Cadwallader fired at Paul Smith with time and space to do better. Referee Tregonning had done his best to take a liberal view of tackles and let the game flow, largely to the benefit of both sides as City ran on with a one goal lead. However he did finally issue a yellow card for dissent to Cadwallader on the stroke of half time, although this went largely unnoticed. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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The first action of the second period was a blatant foul by
McIntosh on Peter Hoy for which he was duly cautioned. Ten minutes
after the restart Peter Hoy was forced to slide in to block a goalbound
shot and from the resulting corner Martin Beattie was forced to clear
Gareth Sudlow's header off the line. This came in a rapid fire series
of three Airbus corner which ended when Peter Hoy headed clear and
Bangor finally got out. On the hour Kevin Lloyd replaced young Paul McManus alongside Les Davies and immediately forced a full lengh save from Doran as his dipping volley threatened to double the advantage. With 63 minutes played a double change, Andy Mitchell came on for Christian Seargeant who had been injured in the goalmouth, and Phil Molynuex replaced the pedestrian McIntosh. Ten minutes remained when Kieran Killackey was carded for a strong challenge before the low point of the afternoon. An attacking freekick for Airbus ended in acrimony as substitute Molyneux needlessly hit Martin Beattie across the head with his arm and sparked angry scenes. Neither referee Tregonning or his young assistant saw the incident and, with relentless denials, the thuggish action went unpunished. The final action of the forgettable second half saw Matty Woodward yellow carded for a deliberate handball backed up by a blatant hack at the ball to prevent a quick freekick. Manager Harrison, stationed by his dugout in fetching black tights, would later claim his side had bettered Bangor - despite the scoreline. The scoreline stated otherwise and three valuable points and a third and final win for City over the Planemakers in three encounters this season. |
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| 41 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| Bangor were forced to settle for a draw from a match
in which they enjoyed the better share of possession and created more
chances. Nonetheless it was TNS who created the first opening when the veteran John Toner hit the crossbar inside three minutes. Operating with three centre backs the visitors started strongly but failed to make their advantage pay. However, inspired by Christian Seargeant and the determined figure of Kieran Killackey, City began to exert more influence and forced the visitors deeper intot their own half. Seargeant slid round John Leah on the goallines but watched in disbelief as his goalbound shot from the left swept into the side netting. As the half drew to a close Bangor went close on three occasions, forcing two goal line clearances. These included a looping header from Jamie Brewerton which was cleared by former Manchester United apprentice Jamie Wood, a chip from Paul McManus - who started alongside Les Davies - hacked away by Barry Hogan - and an effort from Christian Seargeant into the side netting. Long distance referee Dean John - who had yellow carded visitors pair John McKenna and Jamie Wood - blew for the interval on a goalless but entertaining first half. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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In an open second half the visitors went close through
academy product John McKenna and the well travelled Matt Berkerley. City won a freekick just outside the box, Christian Seargeant delivered but Paul Harrison saved well. As time ran out a cross from Les Davies was headed goalwards by Peter Hoy but Harrison saved and the chance was gone. TNS sent on towering centreback Rob Williams for John Leah, with the Blackpool based defender acting as an emergency centre forward, but City coped comfortably enough. In the closing minute young Andy Mitchell replaced the marauding Les Davies who had given the former Football League centrebacks Baker and Evans a tough examination. However there was a late setback for Bangor when centrehalf Jamie Brewerton was harshly red carded - a second yellow - for the slightest of incidents with visiting goalkeeper Harrison. Moments later the final whistle blew on a goalless draw, two points dropped by City perhaps, although any point against full timers in a predominantly part time league must be worth having. |
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| 40 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| What ended up as an emphatic defeat was quite an even
affair until the final fifteen minutes when the hosts scored twice and
over ran an inexperienced City midfield. The opening exchanges saw Paul O'Neill booked for a deliberate block on Sion Edwards and Marc Limbert fire the freekick into the wall. Paul Smith gathered a goalward header from Strong before Les Davies shot on the turn but Jones saved comfortably. Midway through the half O'Neill was lucky not to incur further punishment for a late lunging tackle on Jamie Brewerton but on the half hour - on 32 minutes to be precise - the home side went ahead. A hopeful punt over the top by leftback Roberts was chased by Jamie Reed who got the better of Michael Johnson to beat Paul Smith with a low clean strike. Bangor were shaken but fought back with a goal five minutes later. From a Peter Hoy long throw Marc Limbert latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box to thrash home an unstoppable equaliser to the delight of the hundreds of blues supporters amongst the 1500 crowd. With five minutes left make shift right back Paul O'Neil was guilty of another infringement, this time a block on Chris Seargeant as the stand in striker broke on half way. But moments later the former Everton youth went close to putting City ahead with a well flighted chip from the left which was scrambled off the line by the impressive Greg Strong. However with seconds remaining of added time a clever piece of play by Neil Roberts set up Gareth Owen who calmly put the Lilywhites back in front. Referee Ceri Richards blew for time and the home side led 2-1 at the interval. |
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| HALF TIME 2-1 |
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The first chance of the second half saw Les Davies steer a
long throw from Peter Hoy on target but Jones gathered. With
neither side gaining the initiative - but with Rhyl leading - manager
Nev Powell opted for a double substitution on 64 minutes. Thi saw
Kieran Killackey and Marc Limbert replaced by teenagers Paul McManus
and Andy Mitchell. Seconds later it seemed to have worked a treat. Peter Hoy's long throw caused panic in the Rhyl box and George Horan was yellow carded for a visible overhead handball. Penalty. With Marc Limbert off left winger Sion Edwards accepted the responsibility but unfortunately skied his effort over the bar. Rhyl responded with a corner which caused confusion in the Bangor box and moments later Paul O'Neill made way for Marc Connolly and Stuart Cook replaced Sion Edwards. On 73 minutes the contest was all but over as Neil Roberts latched onto a loose clearance from Paul Smith to put the home side 3-1 ahead with a low drive. On 82 minutes it was 4-1 as George Horan finished off a fine move involving Gareth Owen and Neil Roberts to give the scoreline an emphatic look. This result means Rhyl have completed a league double over Bangor who in turn have knocked the Lilywhites out of both Loosemores and Welsh Cup. |
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| 39 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| Bangor raced into a three goal lead inside the opening
fifteen minutes and never looked like losing against basement stugglers
Caersws. Attacking the St Pauls End, pushed forward by a stiff breeze, Bangor laid seige to the Bluebirds goal from the kick off and forced two corners in the opening two minutes with Jamie Brewerton going close from the second sent over by Sion Edwards. Caersws survived but on four minutes when Referee Duncan awarded a freekick they stood and watched as Les Davies rose highest to head home Marc Limbert's inviting cross from the left. A third Bangor corner was cleared but on ten minutes City doubled their lead. A long throw from the right, hurtled in by the industrious Peter Hoy, caused havoc in the visitors defence. Les Davies shot right footed, goalkeeper John Rowley fumbled at the foot of his post and stand in striker Christian Seargeant tapped the ball in off the prone 'keeper from close range. With Kieran Killackey snapping and Mike Walsh passing purposefully, the visitors midfield was over run. Walsh let fly with a twenty fiive yarder which Rowley held, then goalscorer Seargeant saw his goalbound effort turned away for a fourth Bangor corner on 15 minutes. CaptainMarc Limbert delivered and Peter Hoy crashed his header home off Mark Davies who was stationed at back the post. Given what was by now a hopeless position most teams would have given up. To their credit Caersws are made of sterner stuff and, driven forward by the irrepressible Aeron Edwards they won three corners on the bounce and forced Paul Smith to save from Jamie Haynes. Midfielder Edwards fired on goal from the edge of the box but Peter Hoy flung himself into the line of fire. On the half hour Bangor pushed forwards again with two long throws from Peter Hoy on the left. Both found the head of big Les Davies and both slid just wide of the post. In between Mike Walsh had a shot held by the acrobatic Rowley. A fifth Bangor corner saw Jamie Brewerton head wide. But spirited Caersws were still in the hunt and a break on the right by Mark Davies - who looked clearly offside - resulted in a cross to Jamie Haynes but his rising drive was pushed over by Paul Smith. Bangor countered through Christian Seargeant on the right, his near post cross was dragged just wide by Les Davies. And that was about it, save for a sixth Bangor corner which was cleared, as Referee Duncan blew for half time. |
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| HALF TIME 3-0 |
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Scarcely had the second half begun than controvesy erupted.
Playing into the wind and attacking the Farrar End, City won a throw on
the right which Peter Hoy propelled into the box. A half clearance
invited a shot from Mike Walsh which Aeron Edwards blatantly charged
down rugby style. Referee Duncan rightly awarded the penalty but opted
against any further action when a red card was a distinct
possibility. He did though caution the woeful Jamie Taylor for
dissent. So on 48 minutes a penalty which Christian Seargeant claimed but, to his despair, John Rowley saved well with a dive to the right. On 55 minutes Sion Edwards sent a freekick from the right, inswinging, towards Les Davies but he lashed over. On the hour Christian Seargeant did have the ball in the net but was - rightly it seemed - ruled out for offside. On 62 minutes Christian Courtney replaced Jamie Haynes and Paul McManus came on for Sion Edwards. This inspired the visitors who created chances on the right for former Airbus striker Dave Hughes who hit the post with one effort and narrowly missed the target with another. Bangor responded with a seventh corner which involved Paul McManus and resulted in John Rowley saving from Les Davies. The pacey Courtney then shot over for Caersws but with fifteen minutes left a clever combination between Les Davies and young Paul McManus ended with the former Chester youngster firing just over from the right after rounding Matthew Holt. On 79 minutes a double change as big Steve Hughes replaced Chris Melia upfront for Caersws and Andy Mitchell came on for Christian Seargeant. Five minutes later Stuart Cook came on for Les Davies. In the final minute of normal time a touch more controvesy which passed with little said as Paul McManus was clearly pulled back in the box by Holt. Penalty? It seemed that way but nothing was given. One final moment, a flowing move involving the outstanding Kieran Killackey and Marc Limbert who crossed for the inrushing Martin Beattie to head goalwards from eight yards, but Rowley pulled off an excellent save, pusing the ball onto and over the crossbar. An eighth corner which came to nothing but a fitting end to a fast and open game, won by Bangor but with visitors Caersws fighting to the last. |
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| 38 |
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The Welsh Cup |
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| Although
the goals did not come until the second half - in what turned into a
romp - the first half was not without incident or talking point either.
All seemed set fair on a calm if cloudy afternoon with hundred of
cheery Bangor supporters packed into half of the compact Broughton
ground. The early action involved the lineman who flagged five times as Bangor attacked the social club end. Airbus forced the first corner, Paul Smith collected, and on twenty minutes Phil Palethorpe made the first save of the afternoon. A foul on midfielder Kieran Killackey resulted in a 22 yard freekick which Christian Seargeant curled low towards the righthand post and forced a stumbling save from the home keeper. On the half hour all eyes were on the other linesman, Maldwyn Williams, who declared himsel unwell. With no fourth official on duty a call went out for a volunteer, after a five minutes delay former Airbus manager Rob Lythe emerged with the flag, with the surviving official swapping sides to rule over the home dugout. Bangor seemed to gain impetus and forced a series of openings. Marc Limbert's deep freekick from the right was headed over the bar by the towering Les Davies. Then the big leftpeg headed on for Christian Seargeant but his effort lofted over. Next a deep cross from the left by Les Davies was headed down by Christian Seargeant and Mike Walsh fired over. Into the fourth minute of added time Jamie Brewerton headed over and then he saw a second effort cleared. Finally in the 54th minute - there was also a stoppage for injury - Brewerton again went close but this time his downward header hit the side netting from the right. So a lengthy first half on that notorious bumpy pitche had brought openings but not goals. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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It turned out to be the calm before the storm. Two
minutes after the restart Bangor had the lead. A long throw from
Peter Hoy was nodded on by Les Davies for Christian Seargeant
to scramble home from a yard out. It might have gone from bad to
worse for Airbus seconds later when Sion Edwards racec clear on the
left but his fierce volley sped wide. It was a momentary reprieve
only though as within a minute of the first goal Mike Walsh headed on
to Les Davies
who raced in to clatter the ball beyond the hopelessly exposed
Palethorpe. Airbus stirred and managed to press the Bangor goal, with Peter Hoy, Martin Beattie, Jamie Brewerton and Michael Johnston defending bravely. City goalkepeer Paul Smith was scarcely tested though as the cleanest effort was a shot into the side netting by Tom Rowlands for what turned out to be his final action of the game as young George Stewart replaced him on 58 minutes. On the hour Bangor won a third corner of the afternoon on the right. Sion Edwards crossed eeep, Jamie Brewerton headed back across goal and Peter Hoy tapped in from close range. Immediately Airbus replaced the pedestrian MacIntosh with another of their young Wrexham loanees Mark Head. Les Davies was becoming unstoppable now and he latched onto a careless ball across the box by Woodward to fire on goal. His initial effort blocked, he chipped to the edge of the box and Palethorpe saved wel from Mike Walsh. It mattered little moments later when Kieran Killackey's header forward found Les Davies who slipped the ball sideways to left winger Sion Edwards who fired home from wide on the left for a 4-0 lead. A minute later it was 5-0 as Mike Walsh headed on to the marauding Les Davies who dusted off Wood ward and Ryan Edwards before rattling the ball past Palethorpe. The final home substitution followed as a weary Desormeaux made way for former blue Gary Lovell, seconds later a first change for Bangor as young Paul McManus replaced the impressive Kieran Killackey. Lovell was yellow carded by Morda ref Huw Jones before Paul Smith saved well from Phil Molyneux who refused to accept the inevitable. With ten minute left Sion Edwards' shot was saved by Palethorpe, then on 82 minutes a double change as Sion Edwards and Les Davies made way for Stuart Cook and Andy Mitchell. There was one final bizarre moment at Mark Cadwallader vented his frustration with a laughable slap on Les Davies which was not seen by referee or his assistant. It mattered not as the Truck was uninjured and, minutes later, the final whislte signalled loud celebrations from the blue horde. |
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| 37 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| A third away defeat on the bounce for Bangor who had
Dave Swanick red carded deep into the final moments of injury time. Manager Nev Powell gave young Paul McManus a start upfront alongside Les Davies. After open exchanges and chances at both ends it was Port Talbot who took the lead on 34 minutes, somewhat against the run of play. Bangor had been pressing the home defence with a sequence of corners, one of which was played short and conceded possession to the Town defenders who promply passed forward toMartin Rose who fed Drew Fahiya who raced clear to slide the ball past Paul Smith. Port Talbot held their lead to half time and Neil Morgan whistled for the break. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 |
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Whatever had been said in either dressing room counted for
little three minutes after the break when Port Talbot quickly doubled
their advantage. Again it was Drew Fahiya who struck to put the home side 2-0 ahead. Bangor boss Nev Powell refused to take this setback lying down and on the hour responded with a triple substitution. This saw Martin Beattie, Stuart Cook and Andy Mitchell come on for Kieran Killackey, Paul McManus and Sion Edwards. This certainly gave Bangor fresh initiative with Les Davies sending one booming effort skimming the outside of the post and home 'keeper Kristian Rogers saving well from Peter Hoy. But try as they might City could not force a goal, until that is the 90th minute when a header from Jamie Brewerton got the better of Kristian Rogers to halve the deficit. Brewerton had been pushed forward to add some height to the attack in the closing minutes and gave a good account of himself in an unfamiliar role. Unhappily though the final action of the afternoon saw Dave Swanick red carded for the use of an elbow on Lee John. The penalty was quickly claimed by Drew Fahiya but he was denied his hatrick by Paul Smith. This was the final action of the match which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Bangor and a suspension looming over defender Swanick. |
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| 36 |
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NWCFA Cup |
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| Bangor
boss Nev Powell went for a mixture of youth and experience at Talwrn
Road but could not match a full strength Llangefni side who ran out 3-1
winners in this North Wales Coast cup tie. The experience came from first teamers Marc Limbert, Stuart Cook and Kevin Lloyd. Amongst the youngster given the chance to impress were debutant 'keeper James Firman, centreback Clive Williams, as well as Matt Sargent who scored against Caersws and young striker Caio Iwan. But it was Llangefni who went ahead on 22 minutes when Graham Austin headed home from a corner delivered by defender Chris Williams. The home side thought they had doubled their advantage when Mel McGinness had the ball in the net after a run but a linesman's flag cut short the celebreations. The narrow lead at the interval would have given manager Nev Powell cause for optimism in his half time team talk. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 |
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Ten minutes after the restart Bangor were level.
A corner was not cleared properly and young sub John Owen
crashed home from the edge of the box to the delight of the
sizeable travelling support. On 55 minutes Llangefni regained the lead through Jon Peris Jones whose father Gwyn was a Northern Premier League title winner with City some 25 years ago. Jones scored from a Ywain Gwynedd cross. Again Llangefni might have increased their lead as Mel McGinness stepped up to take a penalty but debutant 'keeper James Firman saved comfortably to keep City's hopes alive. The decisive third goal did not come until the 88th minute when former Holyhead winger Darren Thomas scored to put the tie beyond the young blues. Llangefni now face Llandudno in the next round. |
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| 35 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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