Welsh Cup Win Number Two

The Welsh Cup Final Season 1895-96 Bangor 3 v 1 Wrexham played at the Council Field, Llandudno on 6 April 1896
Bangor 3	1 Wrexham
Tom Thomas  Charlie Jones(Richard Owen?) Joe Roberts	David Pugh
City had needed a replay to get the better of Newtown in the semi final, both games played at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.   The eye catching name in the Bangor starting line up was goalkeeper William Arridge whose better known brother Smart was with Everton..   Bangor fans packed the Council Field a part of a record crowd of 7000 but it was David Pugh who forced a good save out of William Arridge   City took the lead through Tom Thomas as Wrexham goalkeeper Ball dropped Walter Lewis' cross and the Welsh International slid home ten minutes after the kick off.  Wrexham responded but Arridge saved well from another Welsh cap William Harrison.   The blues pressed further and had two goals in quick succession disallowed for reasons not obvious at the time or since!   It got better for Bangor when Charlie Jones/Richard Owen was on hand after Ball had failed to hold a dipping volley from W H Jones for City.   Wrexham hit back just before half time through former Wrexham Grovesnor outside right David Pugh after Buckland had failed to clear and immediately after the restart Arridge was busy keeping The Robins at bay.   But the Citizens were not to be denied and a surging run by Charlie Jones found Joe Roberts who hit a conclusive third to send the Bangor fans home happy.   Mr Paterson presented the cup to Bangor captain William Arridge who was duly proud of his young team and their tremendous success.   This was a hugely successful season for Bangor who also won the North Wales Coast League and Challenge Cup.   When the Welsh Cup winners returned by train to Bangor they were carried shoulder high along the streets to a celebratory dinner at the Wicklow Temperance Hotel!

Bangor City:  William Arridge, R Roberts, D H Williams, W H Jones, Thomas Buckland C, S Roberts, Walter Lewis, Richard Owen,   Charlie Jones, Joe Roberts, Tom Thomas C

Wrexham  W Ball, E Samuels, A E Ellis, F Stokes, E Robinson, Joseph P Rogers, David H Pugh C, Trevor Owen, J Hughes,  William C Harrison C, A Williams

Referee:  Mr T Gough (Oswestry)  Attendance:  7000

  C Welsh International (may not have been capped at the date shown)

The Welsh Cup Final Season 1927-28 Cardiff City 2 v 0 Bangor Athletic played at Farrar Road, Bangor on 2nd May 1928
Cardiff City 2	0 Bangor Athletic
Hughie Ferguson 2
An estimated 12 000 crammed into Farrar Road for the Welsh Cup Final.   Bangor had need a replay at Oswestry to overcome Merthyr Town in the semi final whilst Cardiff has also been forced to play Rhyl a second time winning 2-0 at The Gay Meadow.   But the final belonged to the FA Cup holders of a year earlier. Both goals being scored by Scottish striker Hughie Ferguson whose 284 goals in as many games for Motherwell was followed by seventy odd for Cardiff before tragically taking his own life two years later. Ferguson put the Bluebirds ahead just before half time and doubled their lead soon after with Bangor struggling to come to terms with their full time opponents.   Cardiff striker Len Davies was to become Bangor manager in 1932 whilst Athletic right half Billy Fogg went to make 140+ League appearances for Huddersfield and Clapton Orient.

The Welsh Cup Final Season 1960-61 Swansea Town 3 v 1 Bangor City played at Ninian Park on 22nd April 1961
Swansea City3	1 Bangor City
Reynolds  B Davies   R Davies	Brian Ellis
An

Bangor had already knocked Wrexham out of the English FA Cup, and Wrexham were keen on revenge. Bangor completely outplayed their visitors with Eddie Brown and a Micky Hunt brace completing a 3-0 scoreline. Bangor had reached the Final for the first time since 1928, where they met Swansea Town at Cardiff.

The Welsh Cup Final Season 1961-62 Wrexham 3 v 0 Bangor City played over two legs and a play off
First Leg played at The Racecourse, Wrexham on 16th April 1962
Wrexham 3	0 Bangor City
Brian Whitehouse  C Colbridge  Ernie Phythian
The first match of the two legged final was played at The Racecourse and Wrexham ran out convincing 3-0 winners.   Former West Brom striker Brian Whithouse put Wrexham ahead, left winger Clive Colbridge doubled the advantage and finally nineteen year old Ernie Phythian made it three nil which seemed to have guaranteed the full timers the cup.   City were outplayed and scarcely mustered a shot on target to threaten Keelan in the home goal.

The Welsh Cup Final Season 1963-64 Cardiff City v Bangor City played over two legs and a play off
First Leg played at Farrar Road on 27 April 1964
Bangor City 2	0 Cardiff City
Gray  Stan Edwards
The first leg of the scheduled two took place at Farrar Road at the end of April 1964 before a crowd of 8500.   The Bluebirds were led out by legendary Welshman John Charles and seemed to have too many big guns for Bangor.   Bangor fans were not to be disappointed though as Gray opened the scoring and Stan Edwards gave City a deserved two nil win.

The Welsh Cup Final Season 1972-73 Cardiff City 5 v 1 Bangor City played over two legs and a play off
First Leg played at Farrar Road on 4th April 1973
Bangor City 1	0 Cardiff City
Tony Marsden
The first leg at Farrar Road drew a crowd of just over 5000 and Bangor worked hard for a slender win.   A freekick from Brodie was headed on by Colin Penrose and Tony Marsden scored from close range.   But would a single goal lead be enough to take to Ninian Park?

The Welsh Cup Final Season 1977-78 Wrexham 2 v 1 Bangor City played over two legs
First Leg played at Farrar Road on 7th May 1978
Bangor City 1	2 Wrexham
Billy Telford	Bobby Sinton   Les Cartwright
Bangor player manager Dave Elliott had steered the club to a Quarter Final win over Newport County and then a stirring 4-2 win over Shrewsbury Town in the Semi Final at Farrar Road.   Farrar Road was packed for the first leg of the Final but saw Wrexham take a two nil lead through bandy legged Bobby Shinton and Welsh International Les Cartwright.   Bangor fought back to reduce the deficit through bustling Bill Telford but Wrexham held on for a two one advantage.

The Welsh Cup Final Season 1984-85 Shrewsbury Town 5 v 1 Bangor City played over two legs
First Leg played at The Gay Meadown on 14th May 1985
Shrewsbury Town 3	1 Bangor City
Paul Tester 2  Gary Hackett	Bruce Urquhart
Bangor reached the final with a one nil win over Third Divison Newport County thanks to a goal from Bruce Urquhart.   But Shropshire side Shrewsbury Town were not going to let a chance for silverware slip. On the 14th May the home side built up a 3-0 lead despite torrential rain, with Paul Tester scorign twice and Gary Hackett adding a third.   Bangor gained some comfort from Bruce Urquhart's late reply but a 3-1 first leg deficit would take some turning round.

Welsh Cup Win Number Four

The Welsh Cup Final Season 1997-98 Bangor City 1 v 1 Connahs Quay played at the The Racecourse Ground on 18th May 1998
Bangor City 1	1 Connahs Quay
Ken McKenna	Steve Futcher
A sixth minute sending off scarcely seemed the best of starts for Bangor but that is what happened as Chris Whelan was rightly sent off by Referee Ceri Richards for kicking out.   But with a rearguard action underway Graeme Sharp's men stood firm until the 75th minute when Steve Futcher gave Nev Powell's Nomads the lead in pouring rain. With hope fading in the downpour City won a last minute corner which Ken McKenna headed past the startled Collister for a late equaliser.   Thirty minutes of extra time followed but they remained goalless and a penalty shoot out was needed to seperate the two sides.   But despite losing a penalty shoot out a week earlier - in the League Cup Final - this time around goalkeeper Dave Williams saved two penalties to achieve hero status on the day as Nicky Brookman netted the final decisive kick!

Bangor City:  Williams, Humphreys (McGoona 44’), Edwards, Allen, Whelan, Ashton, Waring, Lloyd-Williams, Brookman, McKenna, Noble. Subs not used: Highdale, Dulson

Connahs Quay Collister Thomas (Cody 93’), Carroll, Hutchinson, Jardine, Smyth, Futcher, C.Davies (N.Davies 60’), Hughes, Keep (Allen 67’), D.Wynne.

Referee:  Mr Ceri Richards  Attendance:  2023

Welsh Cup Win Number Five

The Welsh Cup Final Season 1999-2000 Bangor City 1 v 0 Cwmbran Town played at the The Racecourse Ground on 7th May 2000
Bangor City 1	0 Cwmbran Town
Paul Roberts
This was a single goal success against The Crows with sweeper Graham Brett putting in a man of the match performance.   Bangor, under the management of Meirion Appleton, had been unsettled by behind the scenes troubles and Tony Wilcox's side were hot favourites to take the cup.   But City had other ideas and when Robbie Williams charged down the right his cross was netted by Paul Roberts to the absolute delight of the Bangor faithful behind the goal! One nil on the half hour mark. Scott Williams had an effort cleared off the line by Mark Aizlewood as Bangor pushed for a second.   The second half saw Cwmbran press and Bangor repel. Goalkeeper Andy Mulliner pulled off some great saves as Deiniol Graham threatened but at the final whistle the all important clean sheet meant City were the winners and celebrations began.

Bangor City:  Mulliner, Johnson, Rowlands, Brett, Bird, S Williams, R Williams (Comley-Excell 83’) Coady, Roberts, Allen, E Williams. Subs not used: Hazelden, Cross

Cwmbran Town  Wager, Carter (Davies 45’), Wigley (Powell 87’), Aizlewood, Blackie, O’Brien, Summers, Moore, Graham, Futcher (Pattimore 67’), James

Referee:  Mr Brian Lawlor (Holyhead)  Attendance:  1125

The Welsh Cup Final Season 2001-02 Barry Town 2 v 0 Bangor City played at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth on 5th May 2002
Barry Town 4	1 Bangor City
Jamie Moralee 2  Jon French     Mike Flynn	Huw Griffiths
Blues striker Marc Lloyd Williams went close early on but inside ten minutes Jon French volleyed Barry ahead for a lead they were never to lose.  Ten minutes from time Mike Flynn capitalised on some defensive indecision to crash the ball beyond Phil Priestley for a two nil lead.   Three minutes before the interval Scott Morgan fouled Paul Roberts in an attacking position,. A freekick crossed by Simon Davies and headed home by Huw Griffiths with Canadian goalkeeper Rayner flatfooted. Half time just a goal in it and the loud blue crowd had hope.   But within five minutes Barry were two goals to the good as Jamie Moralee reacted first to a cross from corner and City had that sinking feeling once more. Midway through the second half Marc Lloyd Williams hit the post and moments later had a penalty saved after a foul on Paul Roberts in a period inspired by substitutes Craig Roberts and Steve Cooper.   And yet with hopes rising they were dashed at the last as Jamie Moralee shoot from 30 yards to beat Phil Priestley courtesy a wicked deflection of a blues defender.

The Welsh Cup Final Season 2005-06 Rhyl 2 v 0 Bangor City played at The Racecourse on
Rhyl 2	0 Bangor City
Andy Moran  Gareth Wilson
After a goalless first half The Lilywhites deservedly won this well attended Welsh Cup Final.   In that blank first period Ian Havard was the busier of the two goalkeepers as Andy Moran and Lee Hunt threatened the Bangor goal from the kick off. City had Paul Roberts to thank for their most telling effort whilst young Mike Linnecar also went close.   But the trophy and the second period belonged to Rhyl who went ahead inside three minutes of the second half. Paul O'Neill was harshly ajudged to have handled a cross and Andy Moran stepped up to convert the penalty awarded by Mr Whitby. To make matters worse Chris Priest was then sent from the field for dissent and to all intents and purposes the contest was over.   With twelve minutes left Bangor's defiance ended when Gareth Wilson shot home from twelve yards but three minutes from time George Horan handled and Bangor had a penalty. Unfortunately Paul Roberts blasted over and the chance was gone.   Referee Whitby blew for time and it was the black and whites shirted Lilywhites who celebrated a game generally spoilt as a spectacle by some harsh decisions by the Swansea whistler.

Welsh Cup Win Number Six

The Welsh Cup Final Season 2007-08 Bangor City 4 v 2 Llanelli played at the Latham Park
Bangor City 4	2 Llanelli
Ashley Stott  Christian Seargeant  Marc Limbert  Karl Noon	Dave Swanick og   Rhys Griffiths
This was a match dominated by red cards and pitch invasions but - oddly you might think - the man in black Phil Southall got the big decisons right, starting with the fourth minute dismissal of Peter Hoy for a high footed lunge on midfielder Mark Jones. But on twenty minutes the ten men struck first as Ashley Stott guided Lee Webber's long range effort home.   City held the lead until the interval but three minutes after the restart as rigthback Dave Swanick turned the ball past Paul Smith for an own goal which levelled the scores. Within ten minutes it got worst for City as Rhys Griffiths fired home from the left.   With a 2-1 deficit to overcome the ten men needed something. It came in form of a foul mouthed tirade from Wyn Thomas aimed at Phil Southall which the Port Talbot whistler was not prepared to accept. Red. Ten men each! Bangor battled but could not find an equaliser and when four minutes of added time began it looked as if the cup was heading south. But two minutes into the added four Christian Seargeant chipped burly custodian Duncan Roberts. The blues fans charged onto the pitch and Roberts feigned injury but after calm was restored the game continued with the scores level. Extra time.   Midway through the first period of extra time City won a penalty which Marc Limbert converted and two minutes later Karl Noon made it 4-2 with the reds all but beaten. They were finally done for when Rhys Griffiths struck Martin Beattie in the face with an elbow and became the third red card of the afternoon.   With no more goals to count it all ended 4-2 to ten man Bangor and a first Welsh Cup win for Nev Powell as blues manager.

Bangor City:  Paul Smith, Dave Swanick, Peter Hoy, Michael Johnston, Lee Webber (Karl Noon 73'), Christian Seargeant, Marc Limbert,  Mike Walsh ( Keiran Killackey 73'), Les Davies, Ashley Stott, Sion Edwards (Martin Beattie 57'

Cwmbran Town  Duncan Roberts, Lee Phillips, Andrew Mumford, Wyn Thomas, Antonio Corbisiero (Stephen Evans 46'), Rhys Griffiths, Chris Holloway,  Mark Pritchard, Craig Jones (Mark Jones 62'), Andy Legg, Matthew Jones (Paul Wanless 97'

Referee:  Mr Phil Southall  Attendance:  1510

Welsh Cup Win Number Seven

The Welsh Cup Final Season 2008-09 Bangor City 2 v 0 Aberystwyth played at Parc Y Scarlets
Bangor City 2	0 Aberystwyth Town
Les Davies  Christian Seargeant
City thought they had goal on twenty minutes but Christian Seargant's effort was ruled out by Mr Huw Jones. Would this prove costly?   On 44 minutes it looked less important when big Les Davies rose highest to head over former blues goalkeeper Dave Roberts to give City a one nil interval lead.   Four minutes after the restart Bangor doubled their advantage when Christian Seargeant netted for the second Welsh Cup Final in a row.   Five minutes later Aber sent on sixteen year old striker Tom Bradshaw in place of former Caerws marksman Graham Evans but the young gun could not change the course of events.   Bangor had to withstand a final onslaught which saw giant defender Aneurin Thomas pushed upfront but Jamie Brewerton as ever up for the battle stood strong alongside Michael Johnston and the match - and the cup - was won!

Bangor City:  Paul Smith, Dave Swanick, Peter Hoy, Mike Johnston, Jamie Brewerton, Kieran Killackey (Paul McManus 88'), Marc Limbert,  Mike Walsh, Les Davies (Clive Williams 81'), Chris Seargeant, Sion Edwards (Martin Beattie 72')

Aberystwyth Town  Dave Roberts, Sion James, Kristian James (Colin Reynolds 86'), Aneurin Thomas, Christian Edwards, Robert Evans (Andy Evans 79'),  Chris Venables, Bari Morgan, Graham Evans (Tom Bradshaw 54'), Gareth Hughes, Geoff Kellaway

Referee:  Mr Huw Jones  Attendance:  1044

Welsh Cup Win Number Eight

The Welsh Cup Final Season 2009-10 Bangor City 3 v 2 Port Talbot played at Parc Y Scarlets on 1st May 2010
Bangor City 3	2 Port Talbot Town
Lee Hunt  Jamie Reed  Dave Morley	Drew Fahiya  Liam McCreesh
Bangor went ahead on six minutes after goalkeeper Lee Kendall misjudged Jamie Brewerton's long clearance and Lee Hunt netted and before half time Jamie Reed made it two nil with a close range header.   But the Steelworks town side were far from beaten and just inside the hour mark Drew Fahiya smashed home from six yards and with no more than five minutes left on the clock Liam McCreesh latched onto Martin Rose's layoff to level the scores.   With time running out and extra time looming City won a freekick which Sion Edwards' crossed for Dave Morley to head home with Lee Kendall rooted to the spot.    Referee Dean John added six minutes of agony time but it mattered not as he finally blew and the Bangor contingent celebrated loudly as the cup was won and the presentations began.   This was a third successive Welsh Cup win for Bangor and manager Nev Powell - a club record.

Bangor City:  Paul Smith, Peter Hoy, Chris Roberts, Dave Morley, Jamie Brewerton, Craig Garside, Jamie Reed (Les Davies 90'), Michael Johnston, Eddie Jebb, Mark Smyth (Marc Limbert 80'), Lee Hunt (Sion Edwards 69'). Subs not used: Matty Hurdman, Clive Williams

Port Talbot:  Lee Kendall, Leigh De-Vulgt (Nicky Holland 63'), Scott Barrow, Gareth Phillips, Matthew Rees, Lee Surman, Drew Fahiya (Lee John 66'), Lloyd Grist, Martin Rose, Liam McCreesh, Danny Thomas (Karl Lewis 66'). Subs not used: Matt Thompson, Gary Bansor

Referee:  Mr Dean John  Attendance:  1303

The Welsh Cup Final Season 2010-11 Llanelli 4 v 1 Bangor City played at Parc Y Scarlets
Llanelli 4	1 Bangor City
Rhys Griffiths 2  Craig Moses     Chris Venables	Alan Bull
A week after beating TNS to win the Welsh Premier could Bangor do the double at Parc Y Scarlets?   The simple answer was no. Inside fifteen minutes Rhys Griffiths headed the "home side" in front and within five minutes it was two nil as Corbisiero crossed and Craig Moses headed home.   Youing Clive Williams tried to rally Bangor with a surging run but in reality it was Paul Smith who was again busy keeping out efforts from first Wyn Thomas and then Craig Moses. Half time came with Llanelli leading two nil and firmly in the driving seat.   Could Bangor respond after the break? After seven minutes it was 2-1 as Alan Bull headed home from close range to lift blue spirits.   Chris Jones went close to levelling the scores but on the hour The Reds restored their two goal advantage as Rhys Griffiths crashed home from close range for his 27th goal of the season. Five minutes later Chris Venables made it four one and in reality that was that. A bridge to far.    In the closing stages Craig Moses went close to extending the lead and Peter Hoy might have pulled one back but Llanelli ran out comfortable and deserved winners as Mark Petch blew for time.

The Welsh Cup Final Season 2012-13 Prestatyn Town 3 v 1 Bangor City played at The Racecourse on
Prestatyn Town 3	1 Bangor City
Jason Price 2  Ross Stephens	Chris Simm
A closely fought cup final was settled in extra time with, as usual, the spectre of one paced referee central to proceedings.   Prestatyn took an early lead as Ross Stephens passed to Jason Price who prodded home from close range. But Bangor had a lifeline as Ashley Stephens fouled Chris Simm and referee Morgan awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for Bangor the placed effort of Dave Morley was anticipated by Jon Hill Dunt who saved at full stretch.   It was still one nil at the interval but on the hour Bangor drew level as Chris Simm shot from the left and Chris Davies deflected home.   Into added time and surprising energy from the veteran Andy Parkinson saw him run at Michael Johnston on the left. Bangor's mr reliable toed the ball out for a corner but Referee Morgan had been left behind and guessed that a foul had occured. Freekick to Prestatyn and a second yellow card to Johnston whose afternoon was over. Ross Stephens touched home the resulting freekick to give his side a 2-1 lead over the ten men.   In the closing stages with the games stretched a third goal arrived from Jason Price which put a gloss on the seasiders victory and confirmed a defeat on the blues who could not overcome the numerical disadvantage.