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MATCH REPORTS |
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SEASON 1999 -2000 |
| 1999-00 |
2000-01 |
2001-02 |
2002-03 |
2003-04 |
2004-05 |
2005-06 |
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Sunday 7th May 2000 Bangor City 1 v 0 Cwmbran Town |
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Welsh Cup
Winners 2000 Bangor City!
City were deserved winners, led to a Welsh Cup Final triumph by the men down the spine of the side, the unbeatable Andy Mulliner in goal, unflappable Graham Brett in defence, a tigerish Scott Williams in midfield and the calm figure of Gavin Allen up front. But it is unfair to leave anyone out of the praise - this was team effort and started back in Corwen when the villagers gave us a real fright! The opening exchanges were nervous and shaded by The Crows, a tall physically strong side littered with experience and previous winners. But one of those returning to The Racecourse - Robbie Williams caused the first incident. He sped past the Town defence to force a foul and win a penalty to the delight of the noisy City fans. Phil Johnson was confronted by the experienced Wager who dived across to his left to save. A chance gone. Both teams had chances, Graham Brett dealt competently at the back with any danger, then Andy Mulliner made an excellent low save following a mistake in midfield. On the half hour the explosive Robbie Williams repeated his high speed run on the right, pulled the ball across, and another former Robin, striker Paul Roberts crashed the ball home. Noisy? Just a lot! City might have had another penalty when a Crows defender clearly handled, nothing given. There was still time for Scott Williams to force Ambling Aizlewood into a goal line clearance as the scurrying, all action Aled Rowlands caused havoc. With Deiniol Graham causing problems, Graham Brett stood firm, Emrys Williams battled and battled, Birdy gave his usual wholehearted best. On 80 minutes Graham Brett scrambled a Graham header off the line. Then XL replaced the exhausted Robbie Williams. Time went slowly until the whistle finally went, to the immense relief and pride of the boys in blue. The whole squad deserve praise for this win, but no one more so than Graham Brett who had probably his best ever game for Bangor in this most important match. Top man Graham. Man of The Match: Graham Brett Opposition MoTM: Deiniol Graham |
2 P Johnson 3 Rowlands 4 G Brett 5 Bird 6 Sc Williams 7 R.Williams 8 Coady 9 Roberts 10 Allen 11 E.Williams Subs Comley-Excel Cross Hazelden Cwmbran Town 2 Carter 3 Wigley 4 Aizlewood 5 Blackie 6 O'Brien 7 Summers 8 Moore 9 Graham 10 Futcher 11 James Subs Pattimore Davies Powell |
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Monday 1st May 2000 Barry Town 6 v 0 Bangor City |
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| City were undone by a terrible refereeing decision, some rank bad defending, and an unlikely substitution. Barry, full of bustle and intent, grabbed the consolation cup their full time status dictated. Richard Jones coerced the inept grinner Sansom with a clever trip and dive which, once he stopped laughing, he confidently converted. The lead was a big boost for Barry, and on16 minutes Paul Evans received the ball following a woeful pass from Graham Brett. His finish left the diminutive Tucker gasping. Typically the Irish sweeper fought valiantly to retrieve the situation, but too many of his team mates had given up the ghost. City then had a decent spell, almost testing the Coventry City keeper Hildegaard whose towering 6'7 presence was in stark contrast to his opposite number. Robbie Williams, Lewis Coady and Phil Johnson were all involved; unfortunately Paul Roberts and XL could not capitalise on the half chances created. Two goals immediately after the interval from Justin Perry, both would have been stopped by a better keeper and more alert defence. Two more - goals 5 and 6 followed nearer the end from the youngster Jamie Jenkins. Robbie Williams worked hard to try a inject some life into the dazed blues, Matthew Cross replaced XL on the hour, Hazel was probably glad he stayed on the bench. Man of The Match: Robbie Williams Opposition MoTM: Barrow |
2 P Johnson 3 Rowlands 4 G Brett 5 Bird 6 Sc Williams 7 R.Williams 8 Coady 9 Roberts 10 Comley-Excel 11 E.Williams Subs Allen Cross Hazelden Barry Town 2 Evans 3 Lloyd 4 Jones 5 York 6 Barrow 7 Ince 8 Jenkins 9 Perry 10 P.Evans 11 Jenkins Subs Burke Davies Davies |
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Saturday 29th April 2000 Inter Cardiff 1 v 0 Bangor City 0 |
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| This expensive defeat was partly caused by misinformation in the final quarter which led Cty to believe Newtown were drawing at Carmarthen. The pre match news was that Nigel Moore had been brought in to inject some pace into the frontline and Emrys Williams some bite into the midfield. City created first half chances, the best of which fell to the normally reliable Paul Roberts. Unfortunately he was off target when well placed as did Emrys Williams. Aled Rowlands and Gavin Allen failed to convert from outside the box as the half ended goalless. On the hour Nathan Comley-Excel replaced the tiring Nigel Moore, and ten minutes later Lewis Coady came on for Emrys Williams in the City midfield. All to no avail. Then in the 83rd minute Samir Misbah ran from his own half to chip Andy Mulliner from the edge of the box. City fought hard for an equaliser but found no reward, and were further galled to hear that reports of Newtown drawing at Carmarthen were grossly inaccurate. All credit to the UWIC lads who have saved Inter from relegation and done themselves proud in very difficult circumstances. The attendance was 82, no yellow or red cards were shown. Man of The Match: Opposition MoTM: |
2 P Johnson 3 Rowlands 4 G Brett 5 Bird 6 Sc Williams 7 Moore 8 E.Williams 9 Roberts 10 Allen 11 Hazelden Subs Cross Comley-Excel Coady Inter Cardiff 2 Davies 3 Clark 4 Colman 5 Burrow 6 Lock 7 Plant 8 Misbah 9 Chesters 10 Buchanan 11 Beddard Subs Edwards Crocker Bekker |
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Monday 24th April 2000 Bangor City 0 v 2 Connahs Quay |
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| This match was settled by two early Stuart Rain goals before City got out of second gear. Rain scored the first of his goals in the 14th minute seizing on a mistake by the normally reliable Phil Johnson. The second followed within three minutes from the edge of the box after a good pass from midfielder and former Wrexham Youth Andy Griffiths. The visitors almost went further ahead when Kevin Davies raced clear close to the half hour, but he fired into the side netting. Finally substitute Robbie Williams saw his shot saved by Collister and the points were gone. The crowd of 333 went home hoping for better things to come in the three, or perhaps the two, remaining games. Man of The Match: Opposition MoTM: |
2 P Johnson 3 Cross 4 G Brett 5 E Williams 6 Sc Williams 7 Coady 8 Rowlands 9 Roberts 10 Allenl 11 Bird Subs R Williams Comley-Excel Hazelden Connahs Quay 2 A.Thomas 3 Carroll 4 Holmes 5 Jardine 6 Smythe 7 Rain 8 Griffithsl 9 K Davies 10 Kenworthy 11 Mazzarella Subs Pepper Renshaw Henderson |
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Saturday 22nd April 2000 Bangor City 1 v 0 Caernarfon Town |
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| This was pretty uninspiring, settled by a close range header, with neither side looking like there was much to play for. City opened brightly enough, the opposition was visibly poor, and the likes of Phil Johnson and Lewis Coady settled to play some neat football. Unhappily yet another strange referee, this time from Merthyr, whistled at every opportunity and appeared to favour the yellow and greens. It was the visitors who nearly took the lead on 20 minutes when little Richard McNeil headed against a post from six yards. City scored what was to be the only goal of the game in the 37th minute with what was their first real chance. Lewis Coady forced a corner on the left which was taken by Phil Johnson, flicked on near post for Emrys Williams to haed in from close range. This was a great moment for the affable Cofi who has enough jibes to put up with without childish banners! Aled Rowlands ran down the left and shot just wide from 30 yards, whilst on 65 minutes Paul Roberts shot at Turner from a tight angle. Other chances fell to Gavin Allen who replaced Comley-Excel, and again to Paul Roberts, but the visitors pressed gamely but lacked any real forward threat. In the 86th minute Matthew Cross replaced Robbie Williams. Man of The Match: Aled Rowlands Opposition MoTM: Neil Roberts |
2 P Johnson 3 Rowlands 4 G Brett 5 E Williams 6 Sc Williams 7 R Williams 8 Coady 9 Roberts 10 Comley-Excel 11 Bird Subs Cross Allen Hazelden Caernarfon 2 Hinchcliffe 3 McKeown 4 Short 5 Godfrey 6 Roberts 7 Phillips 8 McNeil 9 Evans 10 Sadler 11 Peters Subs Corcoran Bailey Jones? |
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Saturday 15th April 2000 Afan Lido 2 v 4 Bangor City |
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| This amazing
game kicked into life in the 8th minute when Paul Roberts charged the
Lido defence, the ball broke for Gavin Allen
who fired home past the day's central character Brian Thomas.
With City in command, Steve Bird released Aled Rowlands down the left, his cross was met by a resurgent Robbie Williams but unbelievable the crossbar saved Lido. Then the influential Phil Johnson caused havoc in the centre of the Lido defence but unfortunately fired too close to the keeper. Sadly the travelling horde then saw the impressive Steve Bird limp off to be replaced by the giant teenager Sean Hazelden on 25 minutes. On the half hour Brian Bevan got stuck in with a couple of needless bookings, then Robbie Williams won a corner on the left which ended in a fiercely struck shot from Paul Roberts being deflected over. The second half was in its final minute when a Lido long throw into the City box which was not cleared and Mitch Patten levelled the scores. On 75 minutes Lewis Coady, improving as the game progressed, set up Paul Roberts but his shot went wide, then Lewis was booked for kicking the ball away - and offence not penalised in the first half when commited by Patten. With around ten minutes to go, everything happened. Gavin Allen was replaced by XL, then Bevan go his wish and sent off Robbie Williams. Ten Men - No Problem! Five minutes later penalty - well done ref - as the ball struck Emrys Williams on the arm. Mitch Patten converted the penalty. Both the Lido fans went mad! Adversity? We are Bangor! On 89 minutes Lewis Coady left the Lido midfield behind, reached the edge of the box, and fired home an unstoppable left footed goal to bring massive relief and celebration to the travelling blues! Extra time. The first half was reasonably even and almost uneventful. To be fair the defence, with Scott Williams working heroically in front of them, battled and harried for every ball. Then Paul Roberts illuminated the second 15 minutes with a excellent strike to put City ahead in the 5th minute. City promptly replaced Robbo with Matthew Cross as the ten men had ten minutes to survive. Giant striker Nathan Comley-Excel had other ideas, chasing a bouncing clearance he exploited some indecision in the Lido rearguard to flick the ball past whinger Thomas into the gaping net. 4-2! City defender as competently as they had to, Andy Mulliner had remarkably little to do. Even Brian Bevan had no choice but to blow his whistle and race into the sanctuary of the dressing room alongside the Lido keeper. Man of The Match: Phil Johnson Opposition MoTM: Mitch Patten |
2 P Johnson 3 Rowlands 4 G Brett 5 E Williams 6 Sc Williams 7 R Williams 8 Coady 9 Roberts 10 Allen 11 Bird Subs Cross Comley-Excel Hazelden Afan Lido 2 Cook 3 Parry 4 Johnstone 5 Scott 6 Rickard 7 Patten 8 Evans 9 Taylor 10 O'Leary 11 Galsworthy Subs
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Saturday 8th April 2000 Afan Lido 4 v 0 Bangor City |
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| This was a fourth successive defeat for City against a rejuvenated Lido side whom we meet again in a weeks time. City gave a debut to Ritchie Owen on the left and brought Gavin Allen onto the substitutes bench. However the planning went astray in the 8th minute when James Taylor put Lido ahead. On the half hour City had two players booked, Phil Johnson and young Ritchie Owen. On 34 minutes Morrys Scott put the home side further ahead to the delight of the majority of the 156 crowd. On 73 minutes Shaun O'Leary wrapped up the scoring the make the final score 4-0 and send City home with their tails between their legs. One final switch was substitute Gareth Parry on for Aled Rowlands on 81 minutes. So Lido took the points and seized a considerabl psychological advantage for the bigger encounter scheduled for Newtown on Saturday. Man of The Match: Opposition MoTM: |
2 E.Williams 3 R.Owen 4 G Brett 5 Cross 6 Sc Williams 7 Johnson 8 Rowlands 9 Roberts 10 Comley-Excel 11 Hazelden Subs Coady G.Parry Allen Afan Lido 2 Scott 3 Parry 4 Galsworthy 5 Jones 6 Rickard 7 Patten 8 Evans 9 Piper 10 Taylor 11 Johnson Subs O'Leary Llewellyn Isaac |
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Saturday 1st April 2000 Newtown 2 v 0 Bangor City |
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| This is the second time in my memory that City have gone a half without a single shot at goal or a single corner. The first was on Saturday. That City went down without trace to a mediocre and truly predictable Robins side was very gard to swallow. The only incident of note in the first half came on thirty minutes when Paul Roberts put Robbie Williams through on goal, the little man chased hard and collided with Pat Jennings Jnr on the edge of the box. The injury meant the legends son could hardly carry on, but he did, and had nothing at all to do. The credit in the first half went to the exposed rearguard, in particular Aled Rowlands, Graham Brett and Sean Hazelden. On 65 minutes Robbie Williams was replaced by Matthew Cross, with wingback Aled switching into midfield. Matthew made a positive impact but - on the opposite side of the pitch - Scott Ruscoe found the time and space to drive a good shot past Andy Mulliner for a 1-0 home lead. To be fair to Andy he had made some good saves and there was little he could do. With 7 minutes to go against a defence that would look up to Lulu City sent on XL in place of Paul Roberts. The lone striker worked hard but with no real support or supply he ran without purpose. One minute after this substitution Mark Williams scored Newtown's second and that was that. Man of The Match: Sean Hazelden Opposition MoTM: Scott Ruscoe |
2 P Johnson 3 Rowlands 4 G Brett 5 Horan 6 Sc Williams 7 R Williams 8 Coady 9 Roberts 10 E Williams 11 Hazelden Subs Cross Tony Smith Comley-Excel Newtown 2 Thomas 3 Evans 4 Reynolds 5 Bates 6 Roberts 7 Wickham 8 Ruscoe 9 Yates 10 Williams 11 Craven Subs Edwards Onions Pike |
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Saturday 1st April 2000 Bangor City 0 v 1 Carmarthen |
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| This is the
first time in my memory that City have gone a half without a single shot
at goal or a single corner. And yet the end result, a home defeat,
was a travesty - but that's football. The most important and harrowing incident in the first half came in the thrid minute when Aled Rowlands and Gavin Rees collided near the half way line. Both fell prone with head injuries and neither was able to continue following a three minute stoppage. City replaced the cultured left footer with new signing Tony Smith, with Lewis Coady moving into the left wingback position. In a dreadful first half City had Andy Mulliner to thank for a couple of excellent saves as Carmarthen wholly dominated. Perhaps they might have been disappointed at the number of clear cut chances they created, but unhappily they were given a golden opportunity on 37 minutes. The culprit was Graham Brett who called for and controlled the ball outside his box, only to be caught in possession for Parker to score with ease. To be fair to Graham he might have expected a warning shout from someone - but from the stand there was no such sound to be heard. Happily for City the referee (Trade Descriptions Act?) played 13 seconds of injury time despite the three minute stoppage! City won a few corners, with Paul Roberts becoming more involved, Emrys and Phil Johnson prompting, and Graham Brett defending well when required. Tony Smith, perhaps looking a little rusty, also got involved to good effect. On the hour the penalty incident. A corner from the attacking left, a clear and blatant overhead handball by a visiting defender. Play on! This was truly a shocking decision and he would still be paid and thanked warmly by all and sundry! On 65 minutes David Sweet replaced XL. Chances came and went, Paul Roberts was a growing menace, hitting the post and forcing a good save from Fitzgerald, Emrys Williams also went close with a couple of headers. Phil Johnson sent a freekick just wide and finally from City Paul Roberts forced a brilliant save again from Fitzgerald. There was some corner flag time wasting from the visitors, but without warning an excellent cross which Delicate headed downwards to force a superb save from Andy Mulliner. Man of The Match: Andy Mulliner Opposition MoTM: Dean Rossiter |
2 P Johnson 3 G Parry 4 G Brett 5 Horan 6 Sc Williams 7 Coady 8 Rowlands 9 Roberts 10 Comley-Excel 11 Hazelden Subs E Williams Tony Smith Sweet Carmarthen 2 Rees 3 Nicholas 4 Thomas 5 Evans 6 Barnhouse 7 Meredith 8 Rossiter 9 Nicholls 10 Walker 11 Parker Subs Delicate Jones Jones |
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Sunday 25th March 2000 Haverfodwest 2 v 1 Bangor City |
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| A disappointing result for a City squad stripped to the bare bones as Paul Roberts was not risked at Haverfordwest. The absence of Steve Bird meant Scott Williams filled in at the back with Emrys Williams coming into midfield alongside Robbie Williams and Aled Rowlands. City were slow to get going in the first half as the home side played some decent football. Graham Brett kept the scores level with a goal line clearance. Unfortunately the lead lasted less than five minutes as Billy Timothy capitalised on some uncertainty in the City defence. The match seemed to be heading for a draw when deep into injury time Aled Rowlands led City forward in search of a winner. The ball was taken by home defenders who supplied Phil Evans for a critical final goal. So points dropped by City and the lack of depth in the squad clearly a concern to the management as the seasons reaches a climax. Man of The Match:
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2 P Johnson 3 Cross 4 G Brett 5 E Williams 6 Sc Williams 7 R Williams 8 Rowlands 9 Comley-Excel 10 Coady 11 Hazelden Subs A Richards Gareth Parry Ritchie Owen Haverfordwest 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Subs |
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Tuesday 21st March 2000 Bangor City 1 v 0 Rhayader Town |
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| A poor football match with City overhitting the ball endlessly
and Rhayader pretty happy with the point they so nearly took home...
It all started brightly enough, with Steve Bird heading over from a Matthew Cross corner after good work from XL. Next Lewis Coady was prominent as XL forced a corner but with no end result. Then lethargy took a grip. The visitors were keen to waste time - they seemed quite good at it - and City again and again blasted the ball out of defence reminscent of Mark Edwards at his worst. It was the 40th minute before Aled Rowlands chased down the left, forced a corner from which Steve Bird caused problems and Sean Hazelden flicked a back header over the bar. XL was visibly lifted by the change, likewise Lewis Coady, whilst Rhayader had no answer to real pace. Openings started to come along, Aled Rowlands and Phil Johnson going close on the hour. Around 70 minutes had elapsed when Graham Brett, Sean Hazelden and Phil Johnson worked the ball from defence to force a corner, then newcomer Nigel Moore dragged shot wide from the left. Then the dreadful incident involving XL and a crass Rhayader official (see Newsdesk) and the tempo rose. The giant figure of Sean Hazelden made a 50 yard charge down the right and was fouled by Matthews. City wasted the free kick and all hope seemed lost. Then a long clearance misjudged by Ray John (hee hee) and enter stage Nigel Moore to chase onto the ball, round Mike Barton and slot the ball calmly into the empty net - to the mass delight and relief of all and sundry. This was no classic - but a look at the league table testifies to the value of the points snatched. Man of The Match: Nigel Moore Opposition MoTM: |
2 P Johnson 3 Cross 4 G Brett 5 S Bird 6 Sc Williams 7 R Williams 8 Rowlands 9 Comley-Excel 10 Coady 11 Hazelden Subs E Williams Gareth Parry Nigel Moore Rhayader Tn 2 Graham 3 Chesterfield 4 John 5 Morgan 6 Wills 7 Cooper 8 Matthews 9 Pike 10 Russell 11 Cottrell Subs Corrieri McPhee Bedward |
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Friday 17th March 2000 Conwy United 0 v 2 Bangor City |
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| A satisfying result, three valuable points on a bumpy pitch
against a Conwy team whose quality surprised most City supporters.
The large travelling contingent almost had a goal to cheer in the first minute when Lewis Coady shot just wide following a mistake from left back Lee Carroll. In the fourth minute Aled Rowlands worked his way across from the left on to his right to lift the ball into the net for a rare right footed goal. Next XL again created an opportunity but shot wide as City played some neat flowing approach play. However Conwy fought back to force a good save from Andy Mulliner whose partly saved effort was hit against the post. To be fair United then held the initiative as some apprehension crept into the visitors defence. On the half hour XL again shot wide as the game flowed end to end. On the hour XL again caused chaos with a run on the right, saw his shot blocked and a second effort drift wide with Lewis Coady close at hand. Moments later Aled Rowlands sped past the pedestrian Thelwell to be brought down for a penalty which Phil Johnson duly converted with calm authority. Conwy could not deal with Aled Rowlands whose mobility and close control were beyond them, as indeed they struggled to stiffle the attacking threat posed by Matthew Cross. There was a period of City pressure then, resulting in corners and some truly excellentsaves from Hill. Ironically this period culminated in an excellent save from Andy Mulliner as Conwy survived and counter attacked. In the final quarter hour Robbie Williams created an opening for Aled Rowlands which he could not convert, then Xl retrieved a ball he had headed on himself but then failed to extend the lead. Credit to Conwy for a competent spirited performance, also to Bangor for picking up the points despite the absence of a couple of name strikers. Man of The Match: Aled Rowlands Opposition MoTM: Alex Hill |
2 P Johnson 3 Cross 4 G Brett 5 S Bird 6 Sc Williams 7 R Williams 8 Rowlands 9 Coady 10 Comley-Excel 11 Hazelden Subs E Williams Gareth Parry Ritchie Owen Conwy United 2 Roberts 3 Carroll 4 Thelwell 5 Quinn 6 Holton 7 Dixon 8 Pease 9 Semple 10 Lennon 11 Adamson Subs Lloyd Hargreaves Hawkins |
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Saturday 11th March 2000 Caerleon 1 v 4 Bangor City |
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| A warm sunny day, a good crowd, a ludicrous referee and
deserved success for City at Caerleon. A noisy but good humoured City following were soon in good voice as Aled Rowlands jinked down the left wing, chipped Brendan Dowd in the box and placed the ball past Neil Davies for a third minute lead. First Aled and then Graham Brett were called upon to show sound defensive qualities as Caerleon hit back within minutes, but the next notable incident was a stoppage for a knee in the back suffered by Lewis Coady. But on 17 minutes the scorers were level as Robbie Howells chased trhought he heart of the City defence to score from the edge of the box. On the half hour player manager Andy Beattie launched a two footed lunge at Matthew Cross. A flurry of players grabbing a pushing - but nothing too serious - then saw Steve Bird sent off along with Beattie, plus a number of random yellow cards. City re-organised with Scott Williams dropping back to effectively snuff out Howells and Paul Roberts work alone upfront. Just before half time Phil Johnson stepped up to convert a penalty awarded for a foul on Paul Roberts by Dowd, 2-1 and then the whistle. On 53 minutes Andy Mulliner made an excellent point blank stop, then Caerleon withdrew Waddon, Tucker and Flage as all three subs entered the fray. Five minutes later Lewis Coady ran into an opening created by clever running from Paul Roberts, but right foot shot drifted wide. On the hour Emrys Williams replaced Lewis Coady as City looked to stiffen their midfield, moments later XL replaced the tiring Paul Roberts. On 70 minutes Robbie Williams hit the post and then forced a good save from Davies. Five minutes later Nathan Comley-Excel nodded in a Matthew Cross corner to seal the victory at 4-1. XL, operating alone upfront, caused other problems and twice ran through on the left without troubling the keeper. In the final minutes Andy Richards replaced the industrious Robbie Williams. So a deserved win, progress to the Semi Finals, and back to the BBQ and bar before starting the long trip home! |
2 P Johnson 3 Cross 4 G Brett 5 S Bird 6 Sc Williams 7 R Williams 8 Rowlands 9 Roberts 10 Coady 11 Hazelden Subs E Williams Richards Comley Excel Caerleon 2 Waddon 3 Quarterly 4 Dowd 5 Witcombe 6 Harley 7 Beattie 8 Tucker 9 Flage 10 Howells 11 Spencer Subs Poyner Evans Truman |
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Friday 3rd March 2000 Bangor City 3 v 3 Cefn Druids |
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| An entertaining match played on a dreadful pitch on a
wet night, a fair result and yet - in reality - a game City should have
won. In the first meangingful action of the first half, Gavin Allen put City ahead with a simple tap in from a Lewis Coady cross from the left. Unhappily this was to be Gavin's last contribution of note as he left the pitch with an injury, to be replaced on 17 minutes by Emrys Williams. On 20 minutes Matthew Cross fired a left footed free kick just wide from 25 yards following a foul on Paul Roberts. Ten minutes later the leftback threw himself infront of Mike Davies to block a goalbound effort on the edge of the box. On 33 minutes Paul Roberts sidestepped the visiting defence to make it 2-0 as the home crowd appealed for a penalty against Huw Griffiths. But the visitors rallied, and caused alarm in the home defence through Richards who admirable dive outside the box led to a penalty courtesy of some bizarre refereeing. Happily justice was partly done as Rowlands' saw his penalty saved low by Andy Mulliner. On 65 minutes Rene Pinaud brought the Druids back to 3-2 with a cool chip after he had robbed Graham Brett on the edge of the box. Ten minutes later XL ran clear on the left but drove his shot just wide of the keepers left post. Moments later XL again opened the visitors up but the chance provided for Lewis Coady resulted in an easy save for Edwards. On 77 minutes Tim Allen hit a left foot shot wide of the City goal, on 81 XL had a shot saved after City failed to capitalize on a 4 to 2 break. As luck would have it Mike Davies was ruled onside seconds later to copy Pinaud with a clever chip to level the scores. The final whistle probably offered more relief for the City fans who could see the entreprising visitors sneaking a winner in what were by now attrocious conditions. A fair overall result - or two points dropped? |
2 P Johnson 3 Cross 4 G Brett 5 S Bird 6 Sc Williams 7 Coady 8 Rowlands 9 Roberts 10 G Allen 11 Comley-Excel Subs Hazelden Richards Em Williams Cefn Druids 2 Davies 3 Rutter 4 Rowlands 5 Morris 6 M Allen 7 Pinaud 8 Richards 9 Davies 10 Griffiths 11 Williams Subs Pierce Tim Allen Shields |
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Saturday 26th February 2000 Cwmbran 6 v 0 Bangor City |
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| City were thrashed by a rampant Cwmbran for whom Chris Summers hit four goals, including a first half penalty. The match was barely two minutes old when a Graham Brett header looped out to Adam Moore on the edge of the City penalty area. His first touch was poor and as the ball ran away he lashed out more in hope than conviction. Unhappily Andy Mulliner could only palm the shot up and over his own head into the net and allow the home side a one-nil advantage. City then shared much of the action, had plenty of possession and carved chances which unfortunately were not converted, two such fell to the usually reliable Lewis Coady. One created with a run on the left, but dragged his left foot shot wide across the goal. Other chances fell to Aled Rowlands, Gavin Allen and Paul Roberts. On 40 minutes Chris Summers put the home side two nil ahead as a cross eluded Andy Mulliner, and minutes later he converted a penalty awarded for a Steve Bird trip on Jamie Hughes. It was left for substitute Eston Chiverton to raid down the right to provide centre forward and fellow sub Deiniol Graham with a tap in to complete the rout. The better performances on the day came from Phil Johnson and striker Gavin Allen, although none of the players gave up at any time. So a dreadful result, worse than the 5-2 drubbing at Barry Town in September. The following Saturday City travelled to Rhayader, won 3-1, and then drew 1-1 with Cwmbran. Strange times... |
2 P Johnson 3 Cross 4 G Brett 5 S Bird 6 Sc Williams 7 Coady 8 Rowlands 9 Roberts 10 G Allen 11 Hazeldean Subs R Williams Richards Comley-Excel Cwmbran Town 2 Carter 3 Wills 4 David 5 Blackie 6 O'Brien 7 Summers 8 Moore 9 Hughes 10 Futcher 11 James Subs Chiverton Evans Graham |
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Saturday 12th February 2000 Bangor City 4 v 0 Inter Cardiff |
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| City swept
aside a depleted Inter to cruise into the last eight of the Welsh Cup,
despite a deteriorating pitch and windy day at Farrar Road.
In fact had they taken their early chances Phil Johnson on five minutes and then Gavin Allen and then XL might have settled the argument inside ten minutes. It took 26 minutes for Bangor to go ahead through Aled Rowlands who jinked along the edge of the box from the right before placing a low left footed effort beyond Norris. Within moments Lewis Coady ran through but shot narrowly wide, next XL and Gavin Allen combined but the Deiniolen striker saw his shot lift over. Just before half time Gavin Allen saw a close range shot blocked at the foot of a post after a Steve Bird flick from a Phil Johnson corner. Within five minutes it was 3-0 as Nathan Comley-Excell pounced on an opening created by a blocked effort from Gavin Allen. This report does not do justice to the visitors who created the odd chance, including one effort from close range into the sidenetting. On 71 minutes Lewis Coady made it 4-0 with a firm drivve from the edge of the box following a determined run. Minutes later City replaced Lewis Coady and Phil Johnson with Matthew Bishop and Gareth Parry. The Anglesey youngster (Parry) had two goalbound efforts, the better of which went narrowly wide. He showed some beat touches, composure and real promise. Aled Rowlands might have added a fifth in the final minute but his on etwo with Gavin Allen created an opening which he just failed to finish. So a comfortable 4-0 win, a despondent Inter who travelled to Farrar Road without a sponge man or single supporter. How the mighty are fallen. Man of The Match, an all action display from Nathan Comley-Excell. |
2 P Johnson 3 Cross 4 G Brett 5 S Bird 6 Sc Williams 7 Comley-Excel 8 Rowlands 9 Coady 10 G Allen 11 Hazeldean Subs R Williams Gareth Parry Bishop Inter Cardiff 2 Brightman 3 Lock 4 Coleman 5 Lock 6 Pugh 7 Williams 8 Pitcairn 9 Maye 10 Bekker 11 Jones Subs Wooster Jackson Jones |
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Saturday 5th February 2000 Bangor City 3 v 3 Barry Town |
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| This was a
tremendous fighting performance, littered with goalmouth incidents and
defensive insecurity. But the overriding image is of the chanting
City fans lifting the team for a second half rally second to none.
City opened brightly with XL and Lewis Coady combining for the former Wrexham man to force an early save from Wells. Then XL raced down the right and crossed left footed for Gavin Allen, the ball cleared him to reach Aled Rowlands who shot just over. Barry carved out chances too, but on 22 minutes Steve Williams launched a deep cross towards Gavin Allen but his header across goal went begging, next Lewis Coady cut in from the left but failed to put any power into his shot. On 40 minutes Barry took the lead when a cross from the right was swept in Evans with the City defence static. From the kick off XL rushed through and fired a rising shot over the visitors bar. Then Phil Johnson fired wide from inside the box and Lewis Coady crossed for XL whose header went across and over. A sweeping crossfield ball from Steve Bird found Gavin Allen who shot over. City inspired by the all action Aled Rowlands cam forward again, on the hour Steve Williams crossed right footed from the left for Gavin Allen to score from close range. Moments later Aled Rowlands nearly put City ahead with a well struck low shot which Wells managed to keep out. On 65 minutes Fry appeared to be offside but kept his cool to put Barry ahead again, 1-2. Lewis Coady launched a counter, fed Gavin Allen, but he was quickly closed down. On 75 minutes the game seemed over as Evans put Barry 3-1 ahead with an excellent crisp strike from the edge of the box. Rather than bicker or wilt City charged back, Aled Rowlands skipped round the left side of the box and crossed low for Gavin Allen to tap in, 2-3. Barry were on the defensive now, City cheered on by a lively St Pauls end, had the initiative. To the background noise of City-City Aled Rowlands and Lewis Coady inspired Bangor pushed forward. Then deep into injury time (50th minute of second half) Sean Hazelden charged through the middle, riding his luck as he rode a couple of tackles. The ball came to Gavin Allen on the edge of the box, his shot was stopped but Nathan Comley-Excel celebrated his home debut with a cool finish to level the scores. Drama indeed! Man of The Match? Ray Rowlands energetic, inspirational son Aled. |
2 P Johnson 3 St Williams 4 G Brett 5 S Bird 6 Sc Williams 7 Comley-Excel 8 Rowlands 9 Coady 10 G Allen 11 Hazeldean Subs R Williams Cross Bishop Barry Town 2 Evans 3 Davies 4 Jones 5 Lloyd 6 Barrow 7 Jenkins 8 Davies 9 Burk 10 Evans 11 Fryt Subs Jenkins Perry York |
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Saturday 29th January 2000 Aberystwyth 2 v 1 Bangor City |
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| City were luckless
in this slender defeat in the home of patronising politicians, students,
dolphins and - Meirion Appleton. Aber kicked off with the win at their backs, blowing roughly from the direction of those familiar crosville buses. With that advantage the home side has much of the possession, but City created some good openings. On 13 minutes Robbie Williams picked up the following an excellent crossfield run from Lewis Coady but shot a yard wide. On the half hour the impressive Steve Williams, playing at leftwingback, swept in a cross which the lunging pylon Thomas scooped over his own bar. Within a minute Robbie Williams chipped the defender and skipped past him, chipped the keeper too - only for the ball to drift wide. Aber were creating chances too, and after a couple of efforts had gone close, Thomas hit a clean drive which Andy Mulliner did well to push round his right post for a corner. Gavin O'Toole hit the corner inswinging - and the TV replays will tell - was Andy Mulliner fouled or at fault as the ball swung straight into the net. On the stroke of half time. Llanelli? TV replays showed Andy was fouled by Mop Head Boy. On 50 minutes Curlylox himself Glyndwr Hughes nipped inbetween two City defenders to score from virtually nothing. The contingent of two dozen City supporters with mop-wigs bowed their heads in dismay. City roared back, Scott Williams had a long range shot saved, midfielder Aled Rowlands blazed over from the edge of the box' Lewis Coady had a shot blocked by Thomas. Aber came back through substitute Dyer and Graham Brett was forced to clear from just in front of goal. Then Aled went clean though, we celebrated early as he delayed and Jones snatched the ball at his feet. Then Lewis Coady his a beautiful clean drive on target but again Jones saved - bloody scousers! With 20 minutes to go City gave striker Nathan Comley-Excel his debut. XL looks like his name, big - perhaps the same in height and build as centre back Sean Hazelden. Almost immediately City nearly scored as XL had a shot cleared off the line, then he lifted a ball back in from the edge of the box which which somehow struck the Aber post. Matthew Cross then replaced the impressive Steve Williams on the left. On 83 minutes a Phil Johnson corner was flicked on for Sean Hazelden to narrow the margin with a firm close range header. Aber did everything they could to kill the game, taking the ball into the corners, but there was still time for Gavin Allen to set up Scott Williams for a terrific shot which pulled an outstanding save from MoTM Jones. So defeat, but surely not dishonour, but the luck has well and truly turned. |
2 P Johnson 3 St Williams 4 G Brett 5 S Bird 6 Sc Williams 7 R Williams 8 Rowlands 9 Coady 10 G Allen 11 Hazeldean Subs Comley-Excel Cross Bishop Aberystwyth 2 Ga Hughes 3 Finley 4 O'Toole 5 Thomas 6 Lewis 7 Gl Hughes 8 Williams 9 Mardenb'gh 10 Morrison 11 Hewitt Subs Dyer Philpott Griffiths |
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Tuesday 25th January 2000 Bangor City 8 v 0 Conwy United |
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| This match
was never a contest as City crushed a makeshift Conwy side, racing to
an 8-0 half time lead. But the result was marred by late hamstring
injury suffered by goalscorer Paul Roberts after he had netted his twelth
league goal of the season. The first goal came in 22 minutes when Phil Johnson set up Paul Roberts for a simple tap in, then Aled Rowlands raced clear from the half way line to coolly beat the hard working United keeper. Paul Roberts returned the compliment on 37 minutes to present Phil Johnson with the simplest of chances for a 3-0 lead. On a cold, still night the hot soup and anticipated second half rout were warming enough for most City followers. On 72 minutes Matthew Bishop replaced Phil Johnson, within minutes Steve Bird had the ball in the net but an offside flag ended his celebrations. The Lewis Coady replaced Aled Rowlands, on 80 minutes Gavin Allen took the lead to 7-0 after good build up play against the flagging visitors. Then the mood changed as Paul Roberts was carried off with a suspected hamstring injury. There was still time for Robbie Williams |