WCupF1973

Bangor City
Welsh Cup Finals 1889 onwards

The Welsh Cup Final
Season 1972-73
Cardiff City 5 v

1 Bangor City
played over two legs

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.
Bangor might have taken a first minute lead but Colin Penrose hesitated and Bluebirds goalkeeper Bill Irwin closed him down. On fifteen minutes Tony Marsden's cross just eluded leading goalscorer John Hughes Seven minutes before the interval Eric Brodie received a pass from Alex Smith and found John Hughes but he fired just over the crossbar.

The second half was played in driving rain but the tempo rose when Colin Penrose and then Tony Marsden both went close to the all important opener. Andy McCullock threatened for Cardiff but Bill Irwin was called upon to save from Colin Penrose and defender Kevin Williams.
Finally City had the goal they deserved.A freekick from Eric Brodie was headed on by Colin Penrose and Tony Marsden swivelled to fire home left footed.
Cardiff went periously close to drawing level when Willie Anderson's shot was fumbled by Alex Clarke but Andy McCullock lashed wide from ten yards out and the danger was gone. And with it the last chance of the match as Bangor celebrated a famous victory.
But would a single goal lead be enough to take to Ninian Park?

Bangor City:

Alex Clarke, Kevin Williams, Ellis Wyn Jones, Alex Smith, Roy Hughes, Dewi Atherton, Colin Penrose, Ivan Crossley, Tony Marsden,
John Hughes, Eric Brodie, sub Noel Nicklin

Cardiff City:
Bill Irwin, Phil Dwyer, Gary Bell, Alan Couch, Don Murray, Leighton Phillips, Billy Kellock, Andy McCulloch, Danny Showers,
Bobby Woodruff, Willie Anderson, sub Dave Powell

Referee: Mr J D Williams (Rhyl)	Attendance: 5005
Second Leg played at Ninian Park on 11th April 1973
Cardiff City 5	0 Bangor City
Gil Reece 3 Leighton Phillips Gary Bell
The second leg at Ninian Park was a very different affair, and the answer to the question was no. The tormentor in chief for City on the night was Welsh International Gil Reece (right) whose hatrick guaranteed The Bluebirds a cup final victory. Bangor repelled the Cardiff attacks until the seventeenth minute when Gil Reece netted from Andy McCullock's pass and within a minute it was two nil as Andy McCullock headed down for Leighton Phillips to drive the ball home. Despite needing ten stitches in a head wound suffered at Netherfield after the opening leg tie player manager Alex Smith brought himself on at half time but four minutes after the restart a corner from Willie Anderson was headed down by Andy McCullock for Gil Reece to score from close range. Welsh International Gil Reece completed his hatrick on 73 minutes with a header from a corner and then six minutes later the demolition was complete as Willie Anderson created an opening for Gary Bell to make it five nil on the day and five one on aggregate to Jimmy Scoular's side. Scoular had racked up a record seven Welsh Cup wins as manager from 1965-73 but in October - less than six months after this success - he was sacked by the Second Division club and replaced by former Manchester United boss Frank O'Farrell.
Cardiff City: Bill Irwin, Phil Dwyer C, Gary Bell, Albert Larmour C, Don Murray, Dave Powell, Gil Reece C, Andy McCulloch, Leighton Phillips C, Johny Vincent, Willie Anderson, sub Danny Showers C
Bangor City: Alex Clarke, Ivan Crossley, Ellis Wyn Jones, Kevin Williams, Roy Hughes, Dewi Atherton, Colin Penrose, Noel Nicklin, Tony Marsden, John Hughes, Eric Brodie, sub Alex Smith
Referee: Mr L Callaghan (Merthyr)	Attendance: 9050

C Welsh International C Irish Republic International C Northern Ireland International C Scottish International
(may not have been capped by or at the date shown)

Cardiff City	Bangor City
Bill Irwin Goalkeeper born in Newtownards, Northern Ireland and previously played for Bangor (Co Down) before Cardiff City.	Alex Clarke Brought in to fill the boots of Phil Tottey, joined Bangor from Runcorn where he attracted the interest of Football league scouts. Began his career with Everton.
Phil Dwyer Nineteen year old Cardiff born defender in his first full season with the first team after progressing through the youth and reserves.	Ivan Crossley Leftback who joined Bangor after a five year stint with Coventry City. Hails from Bury.
Gary Bell Stourbridge born defender with close on 200 league appearances for The Bluebirds after signing from Midland side Lower Gornal in 1966.	Ellis Wyn Jones Leftback who won Amateur International caps for Wales whilst playing for Bangor. Worked his way through the club's reserve sides.
Albert Larmour Belfast born defender, signed from Linfield in July 1972, with half a dozen first team appearances for The Bluebirds.	Kevin Williams Calm and consistent defender who graduated from local junior football. Began his career with Wrexham.
Don Murray Duffus born defender with 362 League appearances for City whom he joined as a seventeen year old in 1963.	Roy Hughes Twenty two year old centre half Roy has more than a hundred Football League matches to his name with Bury in the Second, Third and Fourth Division.
Dave Powell Dolgarrog born defender who previously played for Llanrwst Grammar School and Gwydyr Rovers iin the Vale of Conwy League before joining Wrexham and Sheffield United. Capped by Wales.	Dewi Atherton Tall Bangor born defender who joined City from Blackburn Rovers. made ten Foobtall League appearances for Rovers inbetween 1968-70. A former Welsh Youth International.
Gil Reece Cardiff born striker who previously played for Cardiff City and Pembroke Borough before joining Newport County and Sheffield United. Rejoined The Bluebirds in September 1972. Capped by Wales.	Colin Penrose Versatile attacking player Colin previously made six Football League appearances for Bradford Park Avenue. Bradford born he played for Sedbergh Youth Club before joining Park Avenue.
Andy McCullock Big strong Northampton born centre forward who joined Cardiff from Queens Park Rangers.Began his career at Walton & Hersham. Son of Adam McCullock who played for Northampton, Shrewsbury & Aldershot.	Noel Nicklin A newcomer to the Bangor ranks, fast and powerful with a good shot in either foot.
Leighton Phillips Briton Ferry born midfielder who has made 134 League appearances for Cardiff. Capped by Wales.	Tony Marsden Bolton born striker previously with Blackpool, Doncaster Rovers and Grimsby.
Johnny Vincent West Bromich born striker who previously played for Birmingham City and Middlesbrough before joining Cardiff. An England Youth International.	John Hughes Anglesey based inside left John is in his second season with Bangor after signing from Blackpool where he spent four years after leaving school. A Wales Under 23 intgernational.
Willie Anderson Liverpool born striker who played for Manchester United seven times before making 231 League appearances for Aston Villa. Bought for £60000 and in his first season with Cardiff.	Eric Brodie Edinburgh born left half Eric was signed from Tranmere Rovers during the summer, he was previously with Shrewsbury Town and Chester. Joined The Shrews from Dundee United. Eric made over 300 Football League appearances.
substitutes	substitutes
Danny Showers Merthyr Tydfil born striker in his first season with Cardiff.	Alex Smith Right half Alex has a wealth of experience having spent ten years in the Football League with Middlesbrough. Took over as player manager at Bangor during the summer.

Cardiff penpictures based on The Rothmans Football Yearbook 1973-74
Bangor penpictures based on various match programmes for 1972-73

Welsh Cup Semi Final Programme	Welsh Cup Final Programme

The Road to The Final 1972-73
Cardiff City					Bangor City
Third Round
					Bangor City	9	v	0	Gresford Athletic



Fourth Round
Aberystwyth Town	1	v	7	Cardiff City	Rhyl	2	v	2	Bangor City

					Bangor City	2	v	0	Rhyl
					Dewi Atherton A.N Other
Fifth Round
Newport County	1	v	3	Cardiff City	Oswestry Town	1	v	8	Bangor City
									Tony Marsden 3 John Hughes 2 Noel Nicklin Eric Brodie Ivan Crossley
Semi Final
Chester	0	v	1	Cardiff City	Bangor City	2	v	0	Hereford United
					Tony Marsden 2