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Bangor |
| MATCH REPORT
ARCHIVE |
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| 44 |
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THE WELSH CUP |
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Congratulations to Rhyl who won this well attended Weslh Cup
Final at The Racecourse Ground in Wrexham. An open and largely unventful first half in which Rhyl created the clearer chances quickly transformed into the inevitable, dominated by a rank bad decision by a substandard referee. The pre match news centred on the selection of Ian Havard in goal ahead of Andrew Price behind Kyle Jones in the defence rather than Ben Ogilvy who had been outstanding at Park Avenue. With a high ball assault on the horizon Adam Docker could only watch from the bench. How the first 45 minutes remained goalless must have mystified John Hulse as his Rhyl side carved a handful of clear cut openings wasted by Andy Moran. With the City defence coming under pressure from the route one approach, Greg Stones headed wide from a deep cross from Stuart Graves whilst Moran drove over and wide in the opening exchanges. Young Ian Havard calmed Bangor nerves with a clean catch from another Graves cross. City weathered the storm and Paul Roberts fired on target from long range and then young student Mike Linnecar tested John Gann who was relieved to push behind as the ball arrowed into the top right hand corner. Paul Roberts then ran past three of the big Rhyl defenders - who numbered four centrebacks in their line up - but shot tamely at the diminutive Gann. Moran unsettled City but again slashed his effort wide when well placed. Neither side managed to play much constructive football in a first half which saw the ball given away too easily and both sides looking for the long clearance. The half time whistle was welcomed by City fans who felt they had everything to play for still in the second period. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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However within three minutes of the restart the major talking
point of the afternoon emerged. A long hopeful ball down the left
caught Clayton Blackmore in two
minds and allowed Andy Moran in on the left. His low cross struck
Paul O'Neill on the right arm. Penalty. Moran drove his
cross
from close range at the whole hearted defender whose arms were close to
his side. This was a poor decision and one which saw City
trailing
1-0 as Andy Moran duly netted from the
spot
despite encroachment from both sets of players which was not spotted by
the previously eagle eyed official. His eyesight dimmed but not
his
hearing; Chris Priest dismissed for dissent. By 48 minutes the match was over, and the afternoon rendered meaningless for the 1200 or so Bangor fans amongst the 1700 crowd. Clayton Blackmore re-organised by switching to a 3-4-2 formation and pushed Kyle Jones into midfield. Versatile left footer Martin Beattie and Paul O'Neill worked overtime to keep the Lilywhites at bay. Rhyl used the extra space although City fought hard and played some reasonable football and Paul Roberts turned and fired goalwards but saw hit shot blocked by Timmy Edwards, one of five former Citizens in the starting eleven. On 78 minutes it was 2-0 and game over. Another cross from Stuart Graves found Gareth Wilson alone in the box and his unstoppable strike beat Ian Havard from twelve yards. City fans sensed the inevitable but were literally handed a lifeline when George Horan palmed a ball high over his head for a penalty kick on 87 minutes. But to round off a rueful day Paul Roberts blasted over into the Eric Roberts Stand to the dismay of the noisy blue contingent. And that was about it. Paul O'Neill went close one last time, Lee Hunt missed from close range and Whitby blew time on a match he had done much to ruin for both sets of fans. The irony being that Rhyl, the bigger, stronger and more experienced side were favourites and may well have won without "divine" intervention. |
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| 43 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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A hatrick from
leading goalscorer Paul Roberts sealed an end of season win for City
and ended the brief stay of Cardiff Grange Quins in the Welsh Premier.With Paul O'Neill absent through injury Carl Lamb made a rare start at centre half alongside Martin Beattie and midfielder Chris Priest a welcome return alongside Kieran Killackey. 16 year old striker Quins Nathan White chased a ball down the middle of City's makeshift defence to put the home side ahead inside three minutes to fuel hopes of an upset. But eight minutes later -after Tanetta had hit the bar - Paul Roberts brought City level witha close range finish after good build up play involving impressive midfielders Layton Maxwell and Chris Priest. On 24 mins Kieran Killackey was yellow carded and with one eye on the Welsh Cup Final, City manager Clayton Blackmore withdrew the midfielder and sent on the versatile Kyle Jones. Chris Priest was also yellow carded seven minutes before the interval. With both sides contemplating half time young Nathan White struck again on 44 minutes with a clean strike from the edge of the box to give the home side a 2-1 half time lead. |
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| HALF TIME 1-2 |
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At the restart Bangor
boss Clayton Blackmore withdrew left footed student Mike Linnecar in
favour
of promising youngster Mike Burke. City centreback Martin Beattie cleared off the line before on 53 minutes Paul Roberts struck again as he put the finishing touch to a good team move to level the sides at two all. On 68 mins there was the novel sight of a goalkeeping change when Andy Price replaced Ian Havard. and the former Bolton youngster will be pleased he kept a clean sheet for the remaining twenty five or so minutes. As the final twrnty minutes approached Carl Lamb was switched to attack and his presence helped Paul Roberts complete his hatrick with three minutes remaining. There was still time for the Quins to self destruct with red cards shown to Adbillahi, Tingley and goalscorer White in the closing minutes as Port Talbot official Phil Southall lost patience with the frustrated - and relegated - home side. |
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| 42 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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A disappointing end to a disappointing league campaign for
Bangor as visitors Newtown grabbed the one nil win that guarantees
their Welsh Premiership survival. There was precious little to entertain the sparse crowd although it might have been different if Tommy Harrison's second minute header had not been turned away from goal by Paul Roberts. A moment later Carl Jones - operating on the right wing - crossed for Mike Linnecar who drove the ball back across goal but no one was able to take advantage. On the quarter hour mark Paul Roberts switched play from the left and Clayton Blackmore fired on target but struck Carl Lamb and the ball ran out for a goalkick. Roberts span and shot again on target but John Rowley held comfortably. Thern on 20 minutes Player of The Season left the field with a leg injury, Ben Ogilvy took his place with Tommy Harrison switching to centreback. Debutant Farrar Road ref Darren Adie of Caldicot then yellow carded "Soccer Icon" defender Craig Williams for a block on Paul Roberts and rightback Lee Davies for timewasting. City won a freekick which Clayton Blackmore sent goalwards but Rowley held confidently. Just after the half hour mark Newtown won the first corner of the game through Dan Barton, who sent a header past Ian Havard but Kieran Killackey cleared for a second kick which Barton latched onto but fired over. Bangor bounced back with a high swirling centre from Martin Beattie which Rowley misjudged but Carl Lamb saw his goalbound effort cleared off the line. Moments later Mike Linnecar's cross-shot from the right skimmed the Newtown bar. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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The second period began with a midfield battle which culiminated
in Carl Lamb limping off on the hour to be replaced by Layton Maxwell
with Carl Jones pushing forward alongside Paul Roberts. Newtown needed the win and began to press with Dan Barton at the centre of three successive corners won but with no goal to show for their efforts. City broke upfield but The Robins came back for more - corners that is - but from their fifth and sixth efforts no clear chance emerged. On 72 minutes the inevitable refereeing odyssey. City attacked on the right, young sweeper Craig Williams ran into his own box and clearly handled under pressure from Paul Roberts. An obvious penalty but no red card. Wrong, no penalty and play on! This despite the stand side linesman being ideally positioned to spot the offence if the referee was unsighted. Up the other end, and with another sense of the ineviable, a goalbound effort from Dan Barton hit Martin Beattie and rolled to Gareth Hughes on the right whose low drive beat Ian Havard to put the visitors ahead. And really that was about it. City won a corner, Clayton Blackmore was booked, Newtown won their seventh corner and in the dying minutes Paul Roberts trudged off to be replaced by Mike Burke. The whistle blew and the players left the field with Newtown followers understandably relieved to have ended a dreadful season with safety assured. City have just the away trip to Grane Quins to contemplate before the date with Rhyl at Wrexham a week later. |
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| 41 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| Bangor triumphed against former
champions
Cwmbran who seem set to follow Barry Town out of the national league
with more of a whimper than a bang. However The Crows took the lead with an early goal which tall striker Steve Loverso tapped home after indecision in the Bangor defence allowed a cross to reach him. The former Taffs Well marksman had scored in the 3-1 defeat at Aberystwyth over the weekend. Bangor , driven on by returning player manager Clayton Blackmore, were soon back on level terms. A direct ball forward from midfielder Kieran Killackey was collected by Paul Roberts who made time and space to turn and shoot beyond Lancaster from the edge of the box for a goal timed at 16 minutes. On 24 minutes it was 2-1 with leading goalscorer Roberts involved once again as he supplied Paul O'Neill whose close range finish ended home resistance with three quarters of the match remaining. |
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| HALF TIME 1-2 |
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After the interval Cwmbran sent on Rhys Carpenter and former
Newtown winger Jamie Edwards for Goodridge and Hanbury in a determined
attempt to pick up a point. Much of the second period saw City's midfield duo of Kieran Killackey and Kyle Jones in control of proceedings with Carl Jones and Mike Linnecar showing well on the flanks. Clayton Blackmore, Carl Jones and Carl Lamb went close for City but could not create or convert a clear chance. Credit to the home side who rallied near the end and Heal and Collins forced a couple of acrobatic saves from re-instated goalkeeper Andrew Price who gave an assured performance to ensure City headed home with three points and four from the double header weekend. |
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| 40 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| The first part of City's double
header in
South Wales ended in a one all draw at New Bridge Meadow, but with bad
news to temper the good. Midfield inspiration Chirs Prest was red
carded five minutes from time and will miss the remaining league
fixtures
- beginning with the Easter Monday match at Cwmbran. City started well with Paul Roberts and the pacey Carl Lamb unsettling the home defence but on 13 mins it was County who took the lead. A Chris O'Sullivan freekick was headed downwards by defender Wyn Thomas and the alert Rob Jones fired home from ten yards out. Bangor fought back and Carl Lamb thought he had equalised but goalscorer Jones was on hand to clear off the line. However County fought back again and Tim Hicks blasted wide and then fired over the crossbar after good approach play from Wyn Thomas and Lee Hudgell. As Bangor fought for an equaliser Carl Lamb was in the thick of the action with a cross which Paul Roberts sliced and a run on goal which ended in a shot off target. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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The Bangor
equaliser came after Layton Maxwell picked out Paul Roberts with a long
range
pass which the Criccieth striker turned into the path of 16 year old
Carl
Jones who beat two home defenders before crashing the ball past the
acrobatic
Kendall. City could have taken the lead as Layton Maxwell and Chris Priest impressed in midfield and fashioned chances which went unconverted despite the best efforts of Paul Roberts, Carl Lamb and goalscorer Jones. Haverfordwest also pressed for a winner but chances came and went with substitutes Owain Thomas and Jack Christopher going close. With thirteen minutes remaining player manager Clayton Blackmore eased himself towards match fitness as he replaced Carl Lamb. Unhappily for Bangor there was bad news five minutes from time as fussy curly haired ref Kerry Morgan red carded Chris Priest after a conflict involving Haverfordwest veteran Chris O'Sullivan. This rules him out for three matches - but hopefully not the final - main event - of the season. |
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| 39 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor boss was able to welcome back Kieran Killackey who
slotted in at right back, but his decision to play Ian Havard meant the
teenage 'keeper spent the night in Ysbyty Gwynedd with concussion after
being elbowed in the face by Rhyl striker Lee Hunt. In the 65th
minute leading goalscorer Paul Roberts took over in goal and was beaten
three times in the remaining half hour. The visitors started the brighter and Havard was in the thick of the action as Harrison and O'Neill were at full stretch to cope with Hunt and Moran. The Lilywhites won nine corners as City creaked but did not crack in the face of intense pressure. City's best moments in the first period belonged to 16 year old winger Carl Jones who forced a clearance from George Horan and a good save from John Gann. However the whistle blew and the goalless scoreline gave grounds for optimism for the over worked Bangor defence. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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Former Bangor striker Lee Hunt was the central figure in the
second period. His close range miss seemed an early let off for
the blues but his spiteful elbow on 18 year Ian Havard saw the young
goalkeeper leave the field on 65 mins and forced Paul Roberts to take
over in goal, with Kenny Burgess on in his place. With the Bangor defence under pressure Lee Hunt then turned his attention to football and his 20 yard strike opened the floodgates on 70 minutes. City sent on young striker Mike Burke - who had performed well against Llanelli at Park Avenue - for the tiring Layton Maxwell, but this did not change the course of events. A late strike from Andy Moran doubled the lead, City sent on Kevin Roberts for Carl Lamb, and deep into added time former City defender George Horan settled the scoring as the visitors ran out comfortable winners as they pursue their Inter Toto Cup chase. |
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| 38 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor's disappointing home form
came back to haunt them last night, in the shape of former favourite
Les
davies who scored both the visitors goals. When the FAW consider the video evidence of the antics of Cortex Belle & Richard Harris at Park Avenue they might bare in mind that Adam Docker and Kieran Killackey were unable to take part in this local derby, with Kenny Burgess and Tommy Harrison recalled at right and centre back respectively. Port also fielded a changed side, with youngsters Geraint Mitchell, Jon Peris Jones and Iwan Thomas amongst the new faces. Paul Roberts and Les Davies went close against their former clubs as the game swung from end to end. Maesgeirchen winger Les Davies put Port ahead on 35 mins with a clean drive from the edge of the box after the visitors had forced a couple of corners. He might have added to his tally but Andrew Price, back in goal after missing out on Saturday, saved well. Before the interval Deganwy referee Mark Petch yellow carded Les Davies but home fans might feel he could have been brought to book sooner for some wild challenges. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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The second half
was six minutes old when Paul Roberts
levelled
the scores. His fierce drive from a Mike Linnecar throw beat the
diving Harvey from eighteen yards for his 18th league goal of the
season.
Roberts might have put City infront but his goalbound effort
was booted clear by Lee Webber. Twenty minutes after the interval Port sent on substitututes Ywain Gwynedd, Iwan Williams and Holyhead youngster Curt Williams in place of Rhys Roberts, Iwan Thomas and Gareth Caughter. Young defender Geraint Mitchell was yellow carded as City built up some pressure on the Port goal but could not find a second goal. City sent on Layton Maxwell and then Mike Burke for Carl Lamb and Kenny Burgess respectively but to no avail. However with both sides looking for a winner it was Port who struck deep into injury time as Les Davies latched on to Jason Sadlers cross to hammer the ball home for his second - and decisive - strike of the evening. Bangor refused to give up and Mike Linnecar fired across the face of goal but no one was there to convert. The whistle finally blew and the Port players left the field the happier as manager Clayton Blackmore was left to rue the ninth home defeat of the season. |
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| 37 |
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THE WELSH CUP |
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What a
performance! In the
face of strong arm tactics from the rugby town side, this spirited
young
Bangor side won the day by playing football and in Paul O'Neill had the
Man
of The Match in every sense of the word. An early taste of the Reds tactics came when club physio Gwyn "Felin" was called on to treat midfielder Kyle Jones inside two minutes. The air of arrogance about Peter Nicholas' side disappeared on five minutes when Paul Roberts and the lively 16 year old left winger Carl Jones won a corner on the left. The Pwllheli youngster sent over an inviting cross which Paul O'Neill met with absolute conviction to head The Blues into the lead in front of the Dias Stand. Llanelli retaliated with Cortez Belle causing problems and Jacob Mingorance firing well wide. Left winger Jones raced across field for City but ended up on his right foot and lifted the chance high and wide. On the half hour Chris Priest was yellow carded for a foul on Ivan Nofuentes which produced a threatrical dive from the notorious Spanish wide man. Minutes later City won a couple of throw ins from the right, the second of taken by Mike Linnecar saw the student head deep back across goal and force a corner as the bulky Roberts failed to hold beyond his far post. With Adam Docker by now suffering double vision after a "collision" with Cortez Belle, the big striker ran unchecked into the box but was denied by a clean sliding challenge from leading goalscorer Paul Roberts. On 38 minutes Adam Docker was carried to the touchline on a stretcher and replaced by Mike Burke. This saw Kyle Jones drop into central defence, Paul Roberts into midfield and the young sub upfront alongside Carl Lamb. His first taste of action was a run and shot from twenty yards which sped wide of the post. In the closing minutes the hard working Carl Lamb shot on goal and nearly "nut-megged" Roberts but the ball clipped the keeper's knee and went behind. Ben Ogilvy took the corner, City fans appealed loudly for handball, but the moment passed and Referee Ellingham blew for half time. By this time Adam Docker had departed Park Avenue in an ambulance and the thuggish Cortez Belle had floored Paul O'Neill with a cynical elbow across the face. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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Bangor started brighlty and forced a couple of early corner
which came to nothing. Llanelli became increasinly desperate as
manager Peter Nicholas bellowed instruction from the sidelines, but in
all honesty his team lacked composure. Mike Burke ran on goal but fired wide, and minutes later the young sub controlled the ball in the box, despite the close attention the three Llanelli defenders, but could not find the target. On the hour mark a nervous back pass from Lee Phillps was pounced on by Duncan Roberts and City were duly awarded a freekick inside the Llanelli box. With the wall obscuring the goal Paul Roberts blasted on goal but his shot was blocked with Chris Priest firing over. Priest was outstanding with endless tackles, interceptions and careful passes which rarely grab the headlines but make the difference between success and failure over ninety minutes. He had the perfect ally in City legend Paul Roberts who patrolled midfield and worked manfully whilst the young strikers foraged upfront. Llanelli sent on Nick Harrhy and the burly Richard Harris in place of left winger Craig Williams and Mingorance. In all honesty this hardly changed things although Harris quickly joined proceedings with some wild challenges which saldy went unpunished. This seemed all the more ironic when Carl Lamb was yellow carded for kicking the ball away whilst Harris and Cortez Belle remained without caution. The highly rated Richard Appleby replaced Jame Rewberry in the Llanelli midfield with ten minutes or so left on the watch he could do little as Carl Jones found space on the left to send Carl Lamb in on goal and win a sixth corner for Bangor. Harris might have earned himself a red card for a wild lunge on Killackey but nothing happened. By this time the match was wide open as both sides had numerous chances to score, Phillips, Belle and Nofuentes going close for Llanelli and Carl Jones, Burke and Lamb likewise for Bangor. 18 year old Ian Havard continued his faultless display with some clean handling - eventually - the whistle blew. Noisy celebrations from the whole Bangor contingent and a well deserved Man of The Match award to Paul O'Neill. But on the day they were all heroes, no one more so than player manager Clayton Blackmore directing proceedings from the sidelines. |
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| 36 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Trailing 1-0 on the half hour Bangor fought back to beat sixth
placed Port Talbot 3-2 thanks to a last gasp goal substitute Kyle Jones. Manager Clayton Blackmore will take a good deal of satisfaction from this result achieved in the face of some questionable decisions by Referee Neil Morgan and his assistants. With a breeze aiding the visitors as they attacked the St Pauls End, Bangor forged an early chance for student Mike Linnecar, Port Talbot struck back through Lee John and Rob Cockings but neither unduly troubled recalled goalkeeper Andrew Price. On 27 minutes though the visitors went ahead. A long clearance out of defence was latched onto by Craig Hanford who launched a wind assisted punt into the Bangor box. Chris Pridham reacted first, controlled and calmly chipped Andrew Price from the edge of the box for a deserved lead. Bangor fought back and seized the initiative with right winger Mike Linnecar making progress along the touchline. Adam Docker, a tower of strengh in the centre of defence, launched a long throw from the left which Carl Lamb headed on but Paul Roberts could not latch onto the half chance. Chris Priest set up Clayton Blackmore but Talbot goalkeeper Neil Thomas punched away in spectacular style. Carl Jones crossed from the left but Carl Lamb headed wide under pressure from Neil Thomas. Leigh Devulgt tested Price with freekick but the young keeper held comfortably. A foul on Carl Jones on the left yielded a freekick sent goalwards by Clayton Blackmore. The ball dropped to Mike Linnecar who was half tackled, Paul O'Neill darted in to find Chris Priest whose low cross invited a volley from Carl Lamb which beat Thomas all ends up. The goal was timed at 43 minutes and with no added time an upbeat City side left the field to warm applause. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 |
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The breeze now assisted City towards the St Pauls End but it was
Port Talbot who went close with Matthew Rees headign a corner onto the
Bangor crossbar and Paul O'Neill charging a freekick which threatened
the status quo. As play switched upfield Carl Jones fired right
footed from twenty yards but saw his goalbound effort blocked, then an
almighty scramble in the Bangor box ended in Andrew Price finally
clutching the ball on
the deck. On the hour Bangor won their first corner and minutes later replaced Kieran Killackey with Kyle Jones whilst the visitors sent on Gareth Phillips for Robert Cockings. On 67 mins City had the lead. Paul Roberts gathered the ball on half way and passed to Chris Priest who in turn found Carl Lamb. His return pass seemed intended for Chris Priest. but it was the No 9 who regained possession and beat Thomas from 20 yards despite the attention of the Hanford. Bangor promptly introduced Layton Maxwell for Mike Linnecar but on 71 mins the visitors were level. A dubious free kick allowed Tom Hooper a shot at goal which Andrew Price saved well but the rebound fell to Rhys Griffiths who netted from close range. An ugly skirmish by the Bangor dugout resulted in a yellow card for Adam Docker who was a victim of being bigger than the players trying to assault him. When play resumed Kyle Jones sent a long throw deep into the visitors box but Paul Roberts' back to goal flick was easily held. With time running out Kawme Barnett made his first appearance in place of Carl Jones who had impressed on the left wing. Lee John then nearly clinched a win for Port Talbot but his run into the box ended in a fall whch failed to convince the officials. On 90 minutes Chris Priest kept his feet to beat to Hanford and Dean Johnston on the right before crossing to the edge of the box where substitute Kyle Jones headed down and beyond Thomas to the delight of the home support. Again precious little added time and three points won and appreciative applause from the home fans as the players left the field. |
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| 35 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor earned three points an important home victory over Cefn
Druids with a goal in each half but were made to sweat after the
visitors pulled one back five minutes from time. Player manager Clayton Blackmore gave a debut to new goalkeeper signing Ian Harvard who has joined City from Shrewsbury Town. The Ludlow based stopper played for Colwyn Bay in their double header at the weekend. Cefn fashioned the first chance of the match inside thirty seconds when Mike Heverin raced clear but could not find the target to the relief of the Bangor faithful. City fought back with a free kick from Clayton Blackmore which the lanky Pahulyi held, as he did from Mike Linnecar whose run ended with a weak shot. With Kieran Killackey working hard in midfielded, City finally took the lead on 42 minutes. Kyle Jones took a throw in on the right, Mike Linnecar and Carl Jones were involved before Pahulyi fumbled Clayton Blackmore's shot into the path of Paul Roberts who netted from close range. Into stoppage time City thought they had doubled the advantage but Carl Lamb saw his goabound effort cleared off the line and Referee Lawler whistled. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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Bangor looked to build on their lead but Pahulyi saved Paul
Roberts header after
a good cross from Carl Lamb. On the hour Layton Maxwell replaced 16 year old Carl Jones who had enjoyed a promising debut in front of veteran left back Ben Ogilvy. On 74 minutes Bangor finally scored the vital second. Carl Lamb was fouled on the edge of the box by centreback Mark Hobson who was shown the yellow card. Clayton Blackmore struck the freekick which was blocked in the goalmouth but Paul O'Neill reacted first to stab home from close range. As City fans thought they could relax they were quickly proved wrong as the visitors reduced the deficit on 83 mins through Mike Heverin who capitalised on a defensive slip at the back post. Some nervous moments followed but Bangor deservedly held on - despite lengthy injury time - to secure the win and three points. |
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| 34 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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| A disappointing match at a
blustery Park Avenue served up little by the way of entertainment for
the wind chilled
faithful, even less for the handful of travelling supporters. That the match should be settled by a speculative hoick from a right footed leftback just about summed things up, but should not detract from a deserved win for the Black & Greens and new manager Brian Coyne. After some watchful defending from Kyle Jones it was Bangor, attacking the Dias Stand, who thought they had the lead on eleven minutes. Paul Roberts carried the ball at the Aber defence before finding Mike Linnecar on the right. The tall student cut inside onto his left foot and unleashed a low drive which the bulky Richard Morgan could only parry to Paul Roberts who duly converted from close range. However the linesman was well placed and flagged instantly - and referee Huw Jones of Oswestry awarded a defensive free kick. Playing with the wind Bangor enjoyed some pressure which culminated in Clayton Blackmore testing Morgan from the edge of the box. However the fateful moment arrived following a foul by Paul Roberts on City's right side. The free kick was taken by Stuart Roberts who rolled the ball square to Nic Evans who unleashed a speculative long range shot into the wind. Andrew Price seemed to have things covered but the ball dipped at the last moment and passed over his head into the net. Despite ths setback Pau O'Neill continued to work hard for Bangor at the back whilst Chris Priest and Kieran Killackey competed well against Bari Morgan and Luke Sherborn in the middle. City nearly drew level minutes later when a Bangor freekick was quickly taken by Clayton Blackmore but Morgan reacted in time to concede a corner which Carl Lamb hooked over at the near post. Bangor continued to create half chances and five minutes before the interval Mike Linnecar found Paul Roberts in the box but he blasted over the Dias Stand. In the time added for injury and mischief Luke Sherborn latched onto a Stuart Roberts pass but Andrew Pryce saved cleanly. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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Half time
saw Adam Docker replace the injured Chris Priest, with Kyle Jones
moving
forward into midfield to allow the sub to line up alongside Paul
O'Neill. During the interval the chill wind had also decided to stop swirling around and lend its support to the home side as City struggled to get out of their own half for long spells. Five minutes after the restart Adam Docker defended well, as he did for much of the second period, to clear Aber's fifth corner. City broke upfield but Carl Lamb just failed to get on the end of a ball into the box from Linnecar. Aber were awarded a freekick just inside the half which Aneurin Thomas sent forwards into the Bangor box. The lively Stuart Roberts fired it at the left upright but was denied by Andrew Price who blocked his close rang effort. On the hour mark Bangor again thought they had scored. Miek Linnecar, who was amongst City's better players, chipped the ball forward to Paul Roberts who ran goalwards and lobbed Morgan - but saw the ball drop just over his crossbar. Referee Jones was in action then with a yellow card for Kieran Killackey for a wild challenge on goalscorer Evans who reduced the chances a harsher outcome by sportingly getting to his feet with little fuss or delay. There followed a strange section of play where the paying spectators in the mainstand were treated - at close range - to a game of head tennis punctated by regular throw ins. Eventually Aber forced a seventh corner before Mike Linnecar ran on goal and shot cleanly but saw the slightest of deflection help Morgan make a clean overhead catch. Towering Aber striker Tom Billing than charged down the left before hammering a rising drive against the Bangor crossbar. Glyndwr Hughes failing to control and convert the rebound. Hughes was finding space on the right and brought the best out of 17 year old lefback Ben Ogilvy who was ably assisted by the tireless Kieran Killackey. On 73 mins Bangor fans got their first glimpse of former Cardiff City youngster Carl Jones who replaced Carl Lamb and settled infront of Ogilvy on the leftwing. Carl was a school-team mate of Ben's at Ysgol Glan Y Mor in Pwllheli. The young substitute might have grabbed a point for Bangor after Mike Linnecar had charged down the right but he couldnt keep his back post effort down. The final whistle blew, the home fans roared and the goalscorer performed a bizarre jig on the half way line! City fans trudged away and contemplated the journey home and the midweek visit of Cefn Druids. |
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| 33 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor crashed to a fifth successive home league defeat after
leaking both goals in a wretched first quarter hour which left the
sparse crowd in stunned silence. City have not won a WP fixture
at Farrar Road since Boxing Day. With this re-arranged fixture following hot on the heels of Saturday's cup tie, player manager Clayton Blackmore opted to watch from the sidelines with young Kyle Jones filling in at right back. Martin Beattie returned alongside Paul O'Neill but his bad luck continued with a knee ligament injury which saw him replaced on 57 mins - as Jones had been ten minutes earlier. However things could not have got off to a worse start for the reshuffled defence as they saw the visitors take a sixth minute lead. Dangerman Craig Jones opened the scoring on six minutes when he turned in a cross from one time Bangor target Dave Hughes. Things got worse on the quarter hour mark when former Bangor striker Chris Moores crossed from the right and Paul O'Neill could only guide the ball past Andrew Price into the Bangor net. Teenage winger Craig Jones, whose father Brynley played for City, gave leftback Tommy Harrison a torrid evening and unsettled the Bangor defence with his pace and dangerous crosses. Bangor gradually improved but scarcely threatened the Airbus goal. Paul O'Neill continued his tireless efforts whilst Kieran Killackey worked hard in midfield without being able to exert any real control. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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Young Kyle Jones did not re-appear for the second period
following an injury and his place at right back was taken by player
manager Clayton Blackmore. On 57 mins Martin Beattie suffered a knee injury which saw him replaced by Ben Ogilvy who slotted in alongside Paul O'Neill. On the hour both Kieran Killackey and Adam Docker were yellow carded by referee Andy Richards. With twenty minutes to go City sent on Mike Burke for the tiring Docker with James Hussaney coming on for visiting striker Chris Moores minutes later. City's best moments came from Mike Linnecar, again operating on the left wing, whose long range efforts gave the home fans some cause for optimism. Ten minutes from time Bangor finally closed the gap. Paul Roberts sent a fierce drive on target which goalkeeper Adam McGhee could only parry to Mike Linnecar who scored from close range. But it was too little too late and the visitors left with the spoils - to the delight of their small band of fans. |
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| 32 |
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|
THE WELSH CUP |
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With both sides
forced to re-organise it was Bangor boss Clayton Blackmore who could
smile at the end with his newcomers - in particular midfielder Kieran
Killackey - who came out on top. An ultra competitive display by Killackey in front of defensive lynchpin Paul O'Neill laid the foundations for a battling Bangor performance which ensured a Semi Final showdown with Llanelli. On a slippery pitch Carmarthen enjoyed the benefit of a light wind as they attacked the St Pauls End and forced the first chance of the match which Mark Dodds dragged into the side netting. Moments later the pacey Cotterrall broke on the left but shot across the face of goal. With ten minutes gone a throw from Kyle Jones found Carl Lamb but he fired over. The first yellow card of the afternoon was shown to Chris Priest for a trip on half way which was viewed as a professional foul by Referee Whitby. Andrew Price saved comfortably from midfielder Steffan Hughes before Clayton Blackmore tested Andrew Delve with a rising volley from the edge of the box at the Farrar End. Left winger Cotterrall then slid off the pitch at full tilt and collided with the advertising boards at the St Pauls End and required lengthy treatment before returning with a wounded knee. Dodds and Lamb went close as the sides slugged it out in difficult conditions, before Martyn Giles went into the book for dissent following a needless foul alongside his dugout. Mike Linnecar, operating on the left for Bangor, created an opening for Paul Roberts but his shot was held On the stroke of half time a Carmarthen corner struck both Paul O'Neill and Kyle Jones on the arm, but with no intent Referee Whitby rightly allowed play to continue despite the best efforts of the visitors bench. Half time, no goals and still all to play for. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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The omens
were not good for Bangor as the restart confirmed that the wind had
dropped and would not drive City forwards as anticipated. Clayton
Blackmore went close but Delve held cleanly, then Carl Lamb fizzed past
Giles but fired his shot over from the right. With O'Neill and Killackey both performing heroics, and player manager Blackmore leading by example, Bangor continued to seek an opening. However the diminutive Danny Thomas nearly upset those plans as he wriggled past Blackmore but shot well wide from eight yards. On the hour the Neath born International was yellow carded for a calculated foul on half way. Paul Roberts and Mike Linnecar linked up in the box but the student saw his effort evade Carl Lamb before City fans got a first glimpse of recent signing Adam Docker on 65 mins as he replaced Carl Lamb. Mattie Davies ambled on for Thomas to make something of a mockery of weight based abuse aimed at Bangor striker Paul Roberts by the sullen Carmarthen bench. Mark Dodds shot on target but Price again held cleanly, right wingback Luke Hardy was yellow carded, whilst the visitors three burly defenders came to realise that mountainous newcomer Docker was up for the battle. On 72 mins Clayton Blackmore and Chris Priest combined to release Layton Maxwell whose low twenty yard drive forced a great one handed stop from Delve for City's first corner of the afternoon. Moments later Adam Docker slid the ball to Mike Linnecar on the left. He fired goalwards but Giles somehow lifted out for a corner from under his own bar. The corner found Paul O'Neill but he headed back across goal and out for a goalkick. Play switched to the Farrar End as Cotterrall, bad knee or not, curled a superb cross onto substitute Mattie Davies' head but Price saved acrobatically. With six minutes remaing Darren Gowans replaced Mike Linnecar on the left. On 88 minutes a high ball forward from the left by Clayton Blackmore dropped to Chris Priest. His goalbound effort was parried - perhaps fumbled - by Delve into the path of the ever alert Paul Roberts who slotted home from close range. Bangor fans celebrated, the visitors bench devastated, with so little time on the clock. The final touch fell to Darren Gowans who booming clearance from inside his own box promoted Mr Whitby to whistle and confirm that hugely anticipated Semi Final clash with Llanelli on 1st April! |
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| 31 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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A poor match for the wind chilled faithful - including seven
from Connahs Quay - and one which picked up the midweek obsession with
feigning or unprofessional conduct as it was once known. Bangor began attacking the Farrar End assisted by an stiff breeze and with the same eleven which had won the televised match at Carmarthen. The opening exhanges were uneventful enough with The Nomads forcing a couple of corners before Paul Roberts shrugged off the attentions of Pinch and Williams to shoot just off target form twelve yards. On the quarter hour mark young goalkeeper Andrew Price scuffed his clearance but the ever alert Martin Beattie nipped in to deny veteran striker Stuart Rain a clear shot at goal. Clayton Blackmore crossed from the right but Paul Roberts snatched at fired wide. Lively striker Tommy Mutton unsettled Martin Beattie but the former Druid defended bravely with a last ditch tackle. On twenty minutes Tommy Harrison sent a curling freekick from the left arching under the visitors bar but Smith punched clear at the last moment. Blackmore then slipped Kenny Burgess in on the right but his cross-shot was wildly over hit and came to nothing. The only real annoyance in the first period a series of marginal offsides against City by the "assistant" whose performance drew unheard of criticism of Llanrug from the main stand! As half time grew nearer Bangor won a third corner through the hard working Mike Linnecar but Paul Roberts lashed his effort well wide after seizing on a misplaced header from Flint striker Molyneux. With two minutes on the clock the alert Mutton latched onto a lose ball and fired goalwards from eight yards but was denied by a superb reaction save from Andrew Price in the City goal. And that was about it, honours just about as even as the blank scoreline, frozen hands and feet allround. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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If the first half had been without incident the second was quite
the opposite. The first incident was a yellow card for the
outstanding
Mike Linnecar for a late tackle on Ryan Crawford. A forwars
challenge perhaps. Then City winger Kenny Burgess ran into
the box and fired on target which Smith held despite attention from
Linnecar. The former Rhyl 'keeper hardly endeared himself to the
Bangor fans at the St Pauls End with some dramatic feigning.
Things got quickly worse on the hour when Chris Williams then
tried to persuade referee Parry that Paul O'Neill had somehow hurt him
and was copied by Alan Morgan on half way. In fairness the
official was visible annoyed by both acts but might have taken more
direct action. Five minutes later from a sixth Connahs Quay corner Molyneux booted the ball out of the gorund. Then a turning point. Kenny Burgess gathered the ball in the box and shot low on target despite a clear push by Pinch. As Smith gathered the mishit shot City fans sat back expecting a penalty but referee Parry waved play on. Advantage? City continued to look for an opening and Mike Walsh shot over from fifteen yards. On 69 mins the visitors had the lead, again with a touch of controvesy. Awarded a throw in by the visitors dug out Phil Molyneux gained fifteen yards to throw at the near post and tempt a headed clearance from Paul O'Neill which sped past Andrew Clarke into the Bangor net. Chris Williams then fouled the hard working Mike Linnecar - what a pity he should surface so late in his University course - but the freekick came to nothing. A ball in from the right caused more concern as Linnecar fired a spiteful backheel on target, Connahs Quay half cleared and did so again as the tall student fired point blank twice more before the visitors finally cleared. On 78 mins Kyle Jones - whose cross sparked off the triple salvo - was replaced by one time Liverpool academy star Layton Maxwell. But on 80 mins a misjudgement by Andrew Price left Martin Beattie in an otherwise unguarded goal. A cross struck his hand, the referee obliged with a penalty and followed up with a red card for City's consistent defender. Chris Williams converted the penalty kick with ease. On 84 mins goalscorer Williams was red carded for a lunge on Linnecar with the opinionated Smith yellow carded a his needless contribution. This yielded a freekick from the right but Linnecar headed over. City forced a late corner but this was cleared and the referee blew - to a less than pleasant response from the blues support. |
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| 30 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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| Bangor were worthy winners in
this televised match as two goal Paul Roberts produced a Man of The
Match performance alongside noteable newcomer Mike Linnecar. With Kieran Killackey and Carl Lamb unavailable manager Clayton Blackmore drafted 18 year old Kyle Jones into midfield and student Mike Linnecar upfront. Both played a big part in this away win and in particular the galloping academic was a thorn in Carmarthen' s side until his late substitution. Bangor took the early initiative with Paul O'Neill setting Linnecar up but his effort went across the face of goal. Carmarthen looked dangerous through Cotterrall and Wayne Jones on the left with Clayton Blackmore at full stretch to keep them out. Inside ten minutes there had been two stoppages, one when Wayne Jones caught a blow in the face and the other Kadi Mohammed who hurt his elbow on Tommy Harrison's head! O'Neill had to be alert to keep Carmarthen out on the left before Referee Ellingham showed his yellow card to home defender Craig Lima for a foul on Paul Roberts on the edge of the box. Roberts hit the freekick against the wall and the visitors broke upfield through Jones and Cotterall but O'Neill cleared the sanger. City's centrehalf then saw a shot blocked with the hosts again looking dangerous on the break with Tommy Harrison defending well deep in his own half. Tomy Harrison went close for Bangor, Cotterrall rounded Andy Price but Blackmore cleared, Paul Roberts saw his shot blocked and again Carmarthen broke - this time through Walters - but Andrew Price made a good low save. On the half hour mark Giles headed over from a fourth Carmarthen corner. However a minute later Bangor had the lead. Kyle Joes sent Mike Linnecar galloping down the left wing. The tall student cut inside and fired a fierce drive on target which Andrew Delve fumbled into the path of Paul Roberts who beat Wayne Jones to the lose ball for a close range finish, Cwmbran 2000 style. On 36 mins Wayne Jones was carded for a late challenge on Kenny Burgess and then Bangor boss Blackmore followed him into the book for a blatant check on Cotterrall. Three minutes before the interval Danny Thomas blaxd over then Paul O'Neill shot wide off Tommy Harrison's pass. Into the one minute of stoppage time (remember the two early injuries?) and a goa which never was as Paul Roberts raced through to score - only to find the whistle had blown a couple of seconds earlier! |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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Town manager Mark Jones replaced Richard Carter with Mark Dodds
as what
seemed like a declaration of intent but the powerful striker
played just about everywhere other than upfront. On 51
mins quick thinking - and a very long throw -by Mike Linnecar set
Paul Roberts up in the Carmarthen
six yard area but he hesitated and the chance went. Minutes later Kyle Jones squeezed the ball through to Linnecar but his close range effor hit Delve on the legs. But on 56 mins it matter not as City doubled their advantage. A 56 minute corner on the left delivered deep by Clayton Blackmore was midjudged by Delve and Paul Roberts kept his eye on the ball to calmly head home from beyond the back post. Carmarthen showed the strength of their squad as 100 goal marksman Mattie Davies came on for Martyn Giles on the hour mark, but it was Bangor who should have gone further ahead when Mike Walsh - enjoying a run out on the left - played in Paul Roberts but he took one touch too many, then Mark Dodds showed his defensive qualities as City's two goal striker threatened again. The left wing threat of Cotterrall seemed to have subsided but Sacha Walters continued to pose a threat with a fine run and shot which was blocked by manager Blackmore. Mattie Davies sent Danny Thomas through buthe lifted his shot over the bar then on 77 mins Kaid Mohammed stirred from an otherwise quiet debut to run into the Bangor box but could only shoot at Andrew Price whilst under pressure from the ever alert Martin Beattie. On 80 mins Chris Priest was harshly yellow carded for a trip on Walters before Kenny Burgess shot wide after good build up play involving Paul Roberts and Clayton Blackmore. On 82 mins a "run out" Mike Linnecar made way for Layton Maxwell and Referee Ellingham carded Neil Smothers for a pull on Kyle Jones. Time fizzled out with a final yellow card for Sacah Walters for a foul on the mesmerising Maxwell. Two minutes of stoppage time and the final whistle blew on a deserved Bangor win at Richmond Park, with two goal striker Paul Roberts once again the hero. There were also fine performances from Paul O'Neill, Martin Beattie and Chris Priest, but this was a fine team performance and one which lifts City to seventh in the table. |
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| 29 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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A 100th league goal for Paul Roberts - including 86 for Bangor -
was not enough to see City to an expected home win over a depleted
Caersws side at Farrar Road this afternoon. The early anticipated goal came on ten minutes as City dominated the opening stages of the match forcing a series of corners at the Farrar End and warming the hands of Andy Mulliner on his return to his old hunting ground. Within five minutes Mulliner had produced a low one handed save from Paul O'Neill's downward header off Clayton Blackmore's corner. As Caersws struggled to clear the ball Referee Petch awarded City a freekick twenty yards out and Clayton Blackmore sent a low skidding effort round the wall that brushed the wrong side of the goalpost. On ten minutes Bangor had the lead, albeit with the visitors claiming offside. Player manager Blackmore chipped the ball in from the right, Paul O'Neill headed downwards and Paul Roberts calmly shielded and controlled under pressure from the 'Sws defence before beating Andy Mulliner with a low drive from six yards. City looked set for a comfortable win as Blackmore released Carl Lamb but his effort was scuffed. The first warning from Caersws came on the quarter hour mark when Ross Stephens sent a thirty yarder over Andy Price's crossbar. On 16 mins Andy Thomas was shown the yellow card for a foul on Mike Walsh, then Stephens found the target with a twenty yarder but Andy Price held comfortably. On 25 minutes he was not so successful as Ross Stephens again fired goalwayds from outside the box and this time found the back of the net despite Price's full length dive. Bangor responded with a fourth corner which Clayton Blackmore crossed from the right but again Andy Mulliner was equal to Chris Priest's low drive. City nearly regained the lead in unlikely fashion on the half hour as Mulliner scrambled to clear Andy Thomas' back pass, and then the former Port Vale 'keeper held Paul Roberts' low shot from the left. He was also equal to a well intended looping header from Carl Lamb after good approach play from Mike Walsh. On 35 mins though Caersws scored what proved to be the winner. Layton Maxwell lost possession on the left and the visitors were awarded a freekick which Ross Stephens lashed home from 22 yards for his seventh WP goal of the season. Shrewsbury fans claim the Llanidloes born midfielder was unlucky to when released from The Gay Meadow and on this form Bangor supporters would wish he was still there! There was time for Simon Jones to be shown the yellow card for a pull on Paul Roberts - was he last man - as the 100 goal striker raced on goal. |
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| HALF TIME 1-2 |
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The dominant wind was now with Bangor and the choking smoke from
a house at the Farrar End had cleared but Bangor seemed unsure as to
how to storm the Caersws castle. Busy defender Andy Thomas
marshalled veteran centrebacks Griffiths and Reynolds who gemerally
coped confidently with a series of high balls into the box. Ten minutes after the restart a sliced shot from Layton Maxwell was chased into the left hand corner flag by the willing Carl Lamb. His deep cross narrowly evaded Chris Priest at the back post. Caersws won a couple of corners which came to nothing before City defender Tommy Harrison shot well wide from twenty yards. On the hour Paul Roberts raced into the Caersws box but Andy Thomas stepped in to good effect, five minutes later Andy Mulliner caught the ball overhead from City's top scorer. On 72 mins Caersws made the first change with young striker Neil Mitchell was replaced by Ian Probert. Five minutes later Bangor sent on Mike Burke for midfielder Layton Maxwell. Caersws continued to counter with Mark Williams holding the ball up and bringing his midfileders into play. With ten minutes remaining Bangor won their fifth corner of the afternoon which resulted in Kieran Killackey crashing the ball out of the ground at the St Pauls' End. Five minutes later Paul O'Neill headed on for Paul Roberts but his fierce drive cleared the crossbar. On 85 mins - as Caersws leftback Simon Jones was harshly red carded - Carl Lamb was replaced by Mike Linnecar who went close with his first touch, but luck was not with the lanky student and the chance went. City hit the crossbar and forced a couple more corners but to no real effect. The final action came in the 95th minute when Paul O'Neill's long throw came to Chris Priest but he sliced wide and the final whistle blew. City had failed once again to get the better of an understrength Bluebirds side who had the game's three outstanding players, goalkeeper Andy Mulliner, defender Andy Thomas and two goal Ross Stephens. |
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| 28 |
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|
THE WELSH CUP |
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A Man of
The Match performance from Paul O'Neill saw City through to a Quarter
Final clash with Carmarthen Town despite falling behind to a dubious
first half penalty. Had the stand side linesman Mr JD Twigg been a touch more observant City might have had a penalty of their own in the opening minute. Paul Roberts had blasted a trademakr freekick low into the bottom right hand corner and former Queens Park goalkeeper John Rowley was at full stretch to palm away for a corner. This came from a first foul of the match from pedestrian Robins defender Adrian Moody. The corner came in short from the left and provoked a clear handball in the box by midfielder Alan Hooley but Mr Twigg refused to flag with Referee Dean John unsighted. When the cross came in Newtown defender Moody seemed interested in an early shirt swap with Paul O'Neill but again nothing was given. Newtown retaliated with a long range shot from the hard working Gareth Hughes but Andrew Price was able to watch as it curled wide of the post. This had all happened in the opening five minutes and there followed a lull in proceedings which ended abruptly on 20 minutes when the visitors won their first corner. Martin Giles delivered a telling cross which forced a brave block from O'Neill and ended in young Llanrhaedr striker Sam Pickup blasting over into the St Pauls End. Both teams enjoyed chances as Paul Roberts saw his shot deflected for a corner before Alan Hooley won a second corner for The Robins on the left. The cross cleared the back post and City fans were suddenly faced with a loud appeal for handball against Paul O'Neill which Referee John obliged. Dan Barton converted the penalty with ease and Bangor were undeservedly a goal down. On the half hour City won a third corner on the right which Layton Maxwell sent over and once again the official seemed unconcerned that Paul O'Neill was clearly having his shirt pulled by Moody. A fourth corner followed with Mark Allen now showing an interest in the shirt he once wore. Then on 35 mins City were level. A Layton Maxwell freekickfrom the left was headed home by Paul O'Neill as he rose above the visitors defence at the back post. In the closing five minutes goalscorer Dan Barton scuffed a twenty yarder wide and Mike Walsh fired over from close range after good combination play from Paul Roberts and Carl Lamb whose partnership is developing with each game. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 |
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Bangor took the initiative from the break with Paul Roberts much
involved, winning an early corner and then forcing a great save from
John Rowley from a Carl Lamb header. On 55 mins the roles were
reversed but Lamb blazed over from Roberts' header on the right
following a pass forward from the industrious Chris Priest. On the hour midfield maestro Layton Maxwell set off on a mazey run on goal from the half way line which saw him sweep past four or five visiting defenders before Mark Allen slid in with a well time challenge on the edge of the six yard box. This produced City's seventh corner of the afternoon which was easily cleared. Clayton Blackmore, calm and composed as ever at right back, picked out Chris Priest on the edge of the Newtown box but he fired over. With twenty minutes remaining Bangor thought they had a penalty when Martin Beattie was fouled in the Newtown box but again Referee John waved play on. Newtown won a freekick which was curled into the Bangor box by leftback Martin Giles but Dan Barton headed off target. Carl Lamb shot on target but Rowley held comfortably. Newtown forced a couple of corners and City looked to the competitive defending of Paul O'Neill, Martin Beattie and Kyle Jones to keep the visitors out. Then on 74 minutes Bangor took the lead with the goal of the game. A throw infront of the mainstand from Kyle Jones set Martin Beattie lose on the left. His curling left foot cross invited the perfect header from Carl Lamb who sent the ball into the top left hand corner and beyond the despairing Rowley. Superb! The visitors fought back, Dan Desormeaux was denied by another brave block from Paul O'Neill who by now was playing on despite appearing injured. Desormeaux was then fortunate to be shown only yellow for a petulant kick on Kyle Jones by the Bangor dug out. With five minutes remaining Newtown replaced Sam Pickup with Andy Webb. In the closing minutes Craig Williams hit the target with a twenty yard strike but Andrew Price caught it cleanly enough and then Carl Lamb ran down the right to supply Clayton Blackmore but his shot was blocked. As the visitors pressed for a late equaliser O'Neill and Kyle Jones stood firm and finally - after a couple of minutes of injury time - Referee John blew to confirm City's place in the Quarter Finals and that date with Carmarthen Town. |
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| 27 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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| Bangor welcomed back Paul
O'Neill into the heart of the defence but it was Layton Maxwell but it
was Layton Maxwell ahead of him in midfield who carved open the Talbot
defence with a series of well directed passes. City showed early promise when Layton Maxwell ran through midfield to sent a 40 yard diagonal pass out to Carl Lamb on the right. His crashing drive was blocked at the near post by goalkeeper Neil Thomas. The former Cardiff City schemer repeated the pass minutes later, and for a third time when Mike Walsh squared the ball to Carl Lamb who scuffed his shot from eight yards. City kept on the pressure and a cross from Clayton Blackmore found Chris Priest but he too failed to make clean contact from close range. Neil Thomas was busy with Chris Priest forcing a save before Tommy Harrison lashed wide from beyond the left hand post after a corner from the right. With City on the attack Port Talbot nearly struck on the break as a long ball out of defence found Rhys Griffiths who got the better of Martin Beattie and Paul O'Neill to send a dipping volley on target but could not beat Andrew Price. Paul Roberts was denied by Thomas as he ran goalwards from the left along the touchline, wriggled past DeVulgt and Surman, but found the goalkeeper guarding his near post. A fould on Carl Lamb led to a freekick dispatched by midfield general Layton Maxwell but Paul O'Neill missed the header and shook his head in disbelief. On 40 mins though City finally had the lead. Paul Roberts won a freekick on the edge of the box, placed the ball and thrashed an unstoppable drive into the top right hand corner of the net for his 99th league goal (including 14 for Port). |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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The second
half saw Bangor continue in control and extend their lead some
five minutes after the restart. City won a throw in on the
right which found Carl Lamb in the box. He ran at the defence,
got to the goalline and pulled the ball across. DeVulgt try
to deal with the danger with an extravagant flick which fell for Kieran
Killackey to side foot home into the
bottom corner with Thomas flatfooted on the line. Port Talbot carved out a chance for Rhys Griffiths who was close to getting a touch on a deep cross form the left from Craig Hanford but his may have been unsighted by Martin Beattie. Layton Maxwell was still a threat to the home side and his well weighted pass down the right released "lightening" Carl Lamb whose progress was stopped on the edge of the box by Matt Rees. But the big defender could only watch in hope when his clearance was headed towards goal by Paul Roberts. Unhappily for City's leading goalscorer his effort ran out for a goalkick. There was still time for referee Simon Jones, who had booked Paul Roberts in the first half, to add the name of hsi strike partner Carl Lamb to his notebook on 80 mins, but it failed to take the gloss of a well deserved win. The final whistle blew on City's first win under new manager Clayton Blackmore in his second game. All the more enjoyable for the Neath born defender that his first success should come just a few miles down the road from his home town in neighbouring Port Talbot. |
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| 26 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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With departures and injuries affecting preparation new manager
Clayton Blackmore introduced two new faces to the Bangor side which
faced TNS this afternoon. Left footer Tommy Harrison came off the
bench on the half hour but 20 year old midfielder Kieran Killackey
started in central midfield as a direct replacement for Paul Friel who
made his Porthmadog debut yesterday. Before the new players had time to settle City were two nil down and staring down the barrel of a high scoring defeat to the league's only full time club. Former Swansea striker Jamie Wood put the visitors in front from Nicky Ward's left wing cross on 3 minutes. On 5 mins things got worse as Steve Beck scored latched onto a misplaced clearance to drive beyond Andrew Price.. On ten minutes Bangor thought they had pulled one back when Paul Roberts caught TNS 'keeper Gerard Doherty off his line and sent a 40 yard chip into the unguarded net. But the Irish stopper flew backwards and tipped the ball over to complete a breathtaking save. Bangor refused to buckle and despite losing Kenny Burgess on the half hour - to allow debutant Harrison onto the field - managed to limit the visitors to one more goal before the interval. First though TNS were also forced into a change when Phil Baker was replaced by John Leah. The chance fell, with a sense of inevitability, to the ever popular Marc Lloyd Williams who turned in another Nicky Ward cross from close range and a sense of forboding swept the home fans. With Bangor under pressure the calming figure of Martin Beattie was central to City's defensive efforts. However the interval score remained at 3-0 with Bangor showing determination not to be overwhelmed by their full time visitors. |
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| HALF TIME 0-3 |
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Bangor came out for the second period with the words of new
manager Clayton Blackmore ringing in their ears. But it was the
visitors who sent early efforts goalwards in the form of Steve Evans
and Jamie Wood who forced saves from City goalkeeper Andrew Price.
Jamie Wood also fired over whilst midfielder Steve Beck rattled
the crossbar. Bangor finally retaliated just after the hour mark. A cross from Paul Roberts was headed home by tireless strike partner Carl Lamb to give the blues a sense of hope for a strike timed at 63 mins. Into the final ten minutes and new midfielder Kieran Killackey forced a full length save from Gerard Doherty with a thirty yard pile driver. Then with just two minutes remaining Bangor cut the deficit still further as Paul Roberts followed up after his first effort was blocked by Gerard Doherty's legs. City sent Mike Burke on for Carl Lamb who had run himself out. With time running out Bangor might have snatched a late equaliser their second half heroics merited but nineteen year old midfielder Mike Walsh fired wide after picking up Layton Maxwell's pass. TNS went close through sub Mike Wilde and Scott Ruscoe but the visitors - who brought on academy youngster Rob Williams in the closing minutes - took the three point to strengthen their near unassailable position at the top of the table. This second half performance gives Clayton something to build on, but he will be mindful that the side have now lost three in a row - and face a tough trip to Port Talbot next weekend. A word of credit to referee Morgan who officiated without showing a yellow card throughout, well done. |
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| 25 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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| A reshuffled Bangor side
slipped
to a two nil defeat on a muddy Maesdre which offered little or no
opportunity for either team to play football. With Paul O'Neill injured and Kenny Burgess suspended Bangor opted for a 4-5-1 formation which saw Clayton Blackmore at rightback with Kyle Jones and Lee Martin in central defence. The lone striker was Paul Roberts with Layton Maxwell operating in a "half way house" position off the Criccieth man in preference to the pace of Alex Hay or Carl Lamb. City played down the hill in the first half and needed to make the most of this advantage. The first opening cam ewhen Ben Ogilvy crossed low to Paul Friel who sent a left footed curler towards the bottom corner but former Porthmadog goalkeeper Ged McGuigan palmed wide. On 17 mins Chris Priest was yellow carded by the curly haired official before Welshpool went close twice, the first a turn and shoot effort from Aden Shannon and then a clean header from former Bangor striker Ross Jefferies who has developed into a competent midfielder under Tomi Morgan. Paul Roberts chased a high bouncing ball into the 'Pool box but failed to control under pressure from Keegan. On 29 mins Shannon was yellow carded for deliberate handball in the Bangor box. Some five minutes from time a second Bangor corner was half cleared to Clayton Blackmore but his left footed drive was caught by McGuigan. There was still time for Paul Roberts to run on goal and fire low past McGuigan, but his low drive clipped the goalkeeper's heel and bounced to safety. The whistle blew on a largely disappointing first period with the home fans more confident of their team exploiting the slope in the second period. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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Ten minutes after the restart Bangor fans thought they had scored
when Paul Roberts latched onto a through ball from Layton
Maxwell but his lob cleared McGuigan and the crossbar, crashing back
off the hoardings. Moments later Brett Jefferies had to be alert
to deny Roberts again as he ran into the left hand side of the box. But on 58 mins the home side had the lead. A misplaced pass by Chris Priest was enough to see Ross Jefferies run down the right, pass infield to Shannon whose layoff invited a rising finish from Steve Rogers from the edge of the box. To some degree this was rough justice whilst also an object lesson in finishing. A minute later young Ben Ogilvy made way for substitute Carl Lamb and the formation changed to 4-4-2 with the pacey frontman lining up alongside Paul Roberts. On the hour Layton Maxwell was yellow carded, possibly for some contact on Jefferies or kicking the ball away. Welshpool forced a corner on the left which fell to Ross Jefferies but he was denied by a great save by Andrew Price. However the goalkeeper had no chance on 74 mins when Aden Shannon crashed home the second, decisive goal again from the edge of the Bangor box after picking up a pass from Justin Wickham. Lamb continued to win some headers around the edge of the box but generally the home side were quicker to react. And really that was about it. Despite the efforts of Chris Priest and some fiery contributions from Paul Friel, the Welshpool goal was seldom under threat. On 82 mins Bangor made a double change as midfileders Mike Walsh and Layton Maxwell making way for striking pair Alex Hay and Mike Burke but it made little difference. Referee Morgan saw fit to show Aden Shannon a second yellow for time wasting at a throw in and the Lilywhites spent the final five minutes with ten men. The depleted home side might have added a third into injury time but Andrew Price proved equal to a fine effort from Steve Rogers. Overall an afternoon to forget. |
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| 24 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor fell to a Cortez Belle inspired
Llanelli, as without the presence of the former Chester striker there
was little to chose between the two teams. City might have gone ahead in the opening minutes when a left wing cross from Alex Hay was wasted by Kenny Burgess some eight yards out. But Cortez Belle made no such mistake on three minutes when his towering header left Andrew Price motionless following an inviting left wing cross from Huggins.. Bangor continued to attack, Chris Priest released Mike Walsh - a scorer of important goals recently - who raced into the box and fired on target but was denied by a last ditch sliding block from Corbisiero. Minutes later a long clearances from Kenny Burgess picked out Alex Hay. The former Rushden striker looked up and saw Duncan Roberts off his line, but sent his dipping volley narrowly wide of the right post. On 25 minutes Llanelli thought they had doubled their advantage. A corner from the right bent out of play before landing in the Bangor box. Andrew Price had noted the linesman's flag and ignored the obligatory back post tap in. However ther was bad news for Bangor two minutes later when Paul O'Neill limped off with what looked like a hamstring injury. His place was taken by teenager Kyle Jones, with Clayton Blackmore dropping into the three man defence and the enthusiastic substitute slotting into midfield. Lee Martin was the pick of the defenders. Ten minutes from half time Bangor drew level. Kenny Burgess, who was involved in much of the action, raced down the right and sent in a cross which tempted Dydan Pierce to handle. Referee Andy Richards pointed to the spot and leading goalscorer Paul Roberts crashed the ball home with his namesake Duncan beaten all ends up. Layton Maxwell then cut in from the left but his shot was blocked by the determined reds defence, then Alex Hay sent a twenty yard curler on target but the sizeable figure of Roberts was in the way once again. Five minutes before the interval Belle won a freekick with a dramatic fall. Captain Lee Phillips found Cortzez Belle and his downwards header forced a superb low save from Andrew Price which yielded the visitor's second corner of the game. As half time loomed Bangor won a second corner but Roberts held comfortably from Kyle Jones header. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 |
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|
Bangor sought and early advantage after the break as Kenny
Burgess ran down the right and crossed to the back post where
Layton Maxwell slid in but his side footer was cleared off the line by
Stuart
Jones. Paul Roberts gathered the loose ball and turned
on goal but his shot hit Alex Hay and went out for a goalkick. On 52 mins the game was decided by a flash of outstanding play. Cortez Belle gathered the ball back to goal some thirty yards out, turned and unleashed a dipping volley which sped over Andrew Price and into the roof the the net. It must be the best goal seen at Farrar Road this season. Bangor again tried to fight back but Kyle Jones' determined run ended in a weak shot before Llanelli forced a fourth corner of the afternoon ten minutes after the interval. On the hour former Bangor midfielder Neil Thomas replaced Kirk Huggins for the visitors. Five mins later it was 3-1 and all over bar the shouting when Nick Harrhy was in the right place to convert a mishit shot from Thomas with a calm low drive. Belle then thought he had notched a debut hatrick but Lee Martin, unflappable as ever, cleared off the line. There followed an array of substitutions which involved the departure of Mike Walsh and goalscorer Harrhy in favour of Carl Lamb and Jacob Mignorance respectively. The menacing Belle was causing ongoing problems for City's defence which was manfully organised by Lee Martin who would have been pleased to see the tall striker make way for Craig Williams on 78 mins. Four minutes later Clayton Blackmore was yellow carded for a trip. Moments later City shouted loudly for a penalty after a clear handball by Stuart Jones but referee Richards waved play on to the disbelief of the blue contingent. There was still time for Paul Friel to replace Kenny Burgess and City to win a late corner but the scoreline remained at 3-1 and the victors took the spoils. |
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| 23 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
| A late headed goal from Paul
O'Neill spared Bangor the embarrassment of coming home empty handed
from a game they should have won comfortably. As it was some
wasteful finishing nearly proved expensive on a muddy Oval with the
usual inconsistent bounce and patches of mud. Without Paul Friel, Chris Priest and Paul Roberts, an sos went out to Lee Martin which the hugely experienced defender gladly took up. He slotted into the back three with Paul O'Neil and Martin Beattie whilst Clayton Blackmore added experience to the powerful Kyle Jones in midfield. City opened on the offensive and won an early corner through Carl Lamb but Lee Martin saw his header cleared. Lamb's pace was bound to trouble the Canaries defence and none more so than a run on goal which forced Paul Pritchard into a brave stop. The ball spilled to Mike Walsh on the left but his cross-shot sped across the face of the goal and to safety. On the quarter hour there was a lengthy stoppage as the brighly dressed Pritchard received treatment following a challenge. Caernarfon won a corner on twenty minutes which Jim McNulty headed wide and the home side grew in confidence as another former Citizens Craig Garside moved forward from rightback to fire wide but watch with interest as Sadler deflected his effort over from fifteen yards. A second Caernarfon corner came as most of the City side had stopped due to an injury to Robbie Williams - not Garside though - and nearly paid the price. The cleanest strike of the first period came from Orlick whose twenty yarder span just wide of the left upright after a poor clearing header from the otherwise immaculate Martin Beattie. Five minutes before the interval Alex Hay might have put Bangor ahead after a foraging run on the right from young Kyle Jones. Hay dived in near post but headed over from six yards. As half time grew nearer Lee Jones and Orlick both had efforts on target which were comfortably dealt with by Bangor custodian Andrew Price. City forced a couple of later corners but to no avail. The whistle blew, the team marched off with honours even. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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|
Bangor dominated the second half for the opening twenty minutes
particularly on the left wing where Alex Hay and Mike Walsh got the
better of Craig Garside who looked uneasy in a rightback berth.
Inside the opening five minutes an inviting pass from Layton
Maxwell sent Walsh cutting in from the left and led to loud appeals
for handball against former blue Eifion Jones, but referee Parry
remained unmoved. Kyle Jones got in on the act with a positive run through the middle before supplying Alex Hay who flashed past Garside but his effort was held by Pritchard under pressure from Carl Lamb. Moments later the diminutive keeper was in action again as his clearance was quickly sent back into the home box. On the hour young Darren Thomas replaced Marcus Orlick who had been one of the more effective home players. Within moments Bangor attacked again with Kyle Jones whose cross found Kenny Burgess eight yards out but his side footer was just the wrong side of the post. Hay tore down the left again and unsettled the home defence who eventually scrambled the ball clear. Eifion Jones was enjoying a fine afternoon winning a series of headers as City tried to open their account. On 65 mins Dylan Owen was replaced by the promising John Rowley and minutes later Bangor made a change with the tired looking Layton Maxwell making way for Mike Burke. It was Rowley who made the first impression with quickfire shot from twenty yards which flew off target. With fifteen minutes to go Caernarfon took an unexpected lead. Andrew Price, under pressure from Lee Jones, opted to punch on the edge of his box and the ball fell kindly for the largely anonymous Jason Sadler to chip home from 25 yards. The home fans cheered loudly in a mixture of celebration and surprise. Martin Beattie had worked tirelessly in the back three and was able to snuff out the majority of home attacks. Bangor promptly replaced Carl Lamb with seventeen year old Ben Ogilvy who took up a left wing berth. He promptly crossed, Pritchard half cleared but Kenny Burgess saw his shot blocked. Moments later the young defender won a throw on the left, Kyle Jones delivered deep into the home box and when the half clearance fell on the edge of the box Clayton Blackmore volleyed over. The closing minutes saw Caernarfon play on the counter attack and win a corner when Lee Martin misjudged an attempted clearance, then Blackmore forced a full length dive from Pritchard who pushed away the ball at the foot of the left upright. With time running out Ben Ogilvy won a corner on the left. His clean left footed strike was met with full force by the forehead of Paul O'Neill and into the roof the Caernarfon net to the delight and despair of the two sides. City fans went home the happier - in particular with the weakened nature of the team available. |
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| 23 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
| A late headed goal from Paul
O'Neill spared Bangor the embarrassment of coming home empty handed
from a game they should have won comfortably. As it was some
wasteful finishing nearly proved expensive on a muddy Oval with the
usual inconsistent bounce and patches of mud. Without Paul Friel, Chris Priest and Paul Roberts, an sos went out to Lee Martin which the hugely experienced defender gladly took up. He slotted into the back three with Paul O'Neil and Martin Beattie whilst Clayton Blackmore added experience to the powerful Kyle Jones in midfield. City opened on the offensive and won an early corner through Carl Lamb but Lee Martin saw his header cleared. Lamb's pace was bound to trouble the Canaries defence and none more so than a run on goal which forced Paul Pritchard into a brave stop. The ball spilled to Mike Walsh on the left but his cross-shot sped across the face of the goal and to safety. On the quarter hour there was a lengthy stoppage as the brighly dressed Pritchard received treatment following a challenge. Caernarfon won a corner on twenty minutes which Jim McNulty headed wide and the home side grew in confidence as another former Citizens Craig Garside moved forward from rightback to fire wide but watch with interest as Sadler deflected his effort over from fifteen yards. A second Caernarfon corner came as most of the City side had stopped due to an injury to Robbie Williams - not Garside though - and nearly paid the price. The cleanest strike of the first period came from Orlick whose twenty yarder span just wide of the left upright after a poor clearing header from the otherwise immaculate Martin Beattie. Five minutes before the interval Alex Hay might have put Bangor ahead after a foraging run on the right from young Kyle Jones. Hay dived in near post but headed over from six yards. As half time grew nearer Lee Jones and Orlick both had efforts on target which were comfortably dealt with by Bangor custodian Andrew Price. City forced a couple of later corners but to no avail. The whistle blew, the team marched off with honours even. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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|
Bangor dominated the second half for the opening twenty minutes
particularly on the left wing where Alex Hay and Mike Walsh got the
better
of Craig Garside who looked uneasy in a rightback berth. Inside
the
opening five minutes an inviting pass from Layton Maxwell sent Walsh
cutting
in from the left and led to loud appeals for handball against former
blue
Eifion Jones, but referee Parry remained unmoved. Kyle Jones got in on the act with a positive run through the middle before supplying Alex Hay who flashed past Garside but his effort was held by Pritchard under pressure from Carl Lamb. Moments later the diminutive keeper was in action again as his clearance was quickly sent back into the home box. On the hour young Darren Thomas replaced Marcus Orlick who had been one of the more effective home players. Within moments Bangor attacked again with Kyle Jones whose cross found Kenny Burgess eight yards out but his side footer was just the wrong side of the post. Hay tore down the left again and unsettled the home defence who eventually scrambled the ball clear. Eifion Jones was enjoying a fine afternoon winning a series of headers as City tried to open their account. On 65 mins Dylan Owen was replaced by the promising John Rowley and minutes later Bangor made a change with the tired looking Layton Maxwell making way for Mike Burke. It was Rowley who made the first impression with quickfire shot from twenty yards which flew off target. With fifteen minutes to go Caernarfon took an unexpected lead. Andrew Price, under pressure from Lee Jones, opted to punch on the edge of his box and the ball fell kindly for the largely anonymous Jason Sadler to chip home from 25 yards. The home fans cheered loudly in a mixture of celebration and surprise. Martin Beattie had worked tirelessly in the back three and was able to snuff out the majority of home attacks. Bangor promptly replaced Carl Lamb with seventeen year old Ben Ogilvy who took up a left wing berth. He promptly crossed, Pritchard half cleared but Kenny Burgess saw his shot blocked. Moments later the young defender won a throw on the left, Kyle Jones delivered deep into the home box and when the half clearance fell on the edge of the box Clayton Blackmore volleyed over. The closing minutes saw Caernarfon play on the counter attack and win a corner when Lee Martin misjudged an attempted clearance, then Blackmore forced a full length dive from Pritchard who pushed away the ball at the foot of the left upright. With time running out Ben Ogilvy won a corner on the left. His clean left footed strike was met with full force by the forehead of Paul O'Neill and into the roof the Caernarfon net to the delight and despair of the two sides. City fans went home the happier - in particular with the weakened nature of the team available. |
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|
| 22 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Bangor finished 2005 with a welcome win over relegation haunted
Caernarfon. For the first time in living memory both sides were
watched over by local managers. Bangor lad Mel Jones will be the one
who sleeps easiest tonigh after his second successive win - again
thanks to a lone strike from
midfielder Mike Walsh. City continued with the 3-5-2 formation Paul Roberts dropped into centre midfield, Alex Hay played upfront alongside Carl Lamb. Martin Beattie stepped in for Clayton Blackmore. But it was the visitors who made the early running as Craig Garside fired off target from distance on a couple of occasions. Bangor's first chance came inside ten minutes when Paul O'Neill hurled a long throw from the right which found Carl Lamb unmarked before the near post but his header flew wide. On the quarter hour Alex Hay cut in from the left, fired right footed but saw his shot blocked, then sent the follow up effort over the bar and into the Farrar End. City won a couple of corners before the half hour mark but failed to trouble Paul Pritchard in the bright red shirt. However a fumble by the visiting goalkeeper resulted in a third as Paul Roberts passed to Mike Walsh and his low drive nearly crept in. Caernarfon broke upfield through ex Liverpool striker Lee Jones whose low cross seemed destined for the boot of Steve Watkin but Mike Walsh got a vital touch to concede a corner. The game was switching end to end with neither side able to exert much of a grip. Eifion Jones' attempted overhead kick went straight to Andrew Price who quick thinking freed Alex Hay on the right but his intended pass to Carl Lamb was cut out by the otherwise hapless McNulty. The closing five minutes saw Paul Roberts win a freekick to the right of the penalty area which was blocked before he cut in from the right and fired over the bar left footed without unduly troubling Pritchard. After 20 seconds of added time the whistle blew for the half time break. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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|
With supporters settling after the change around Kenny Burgess
latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box but fired well over.
The former Cammell Laird winger went a touch closer with his
second
effort after good approach play from Carl Lamb. On 52 mins Alex
Hay
won City's fifth corner of the afternoon which Kenny Burgess crossed
but
the leaping Carl Lamb could not find the target. Hay went close for Bangor, midfielder Craig Garside tested Andrew Price from distance, but neither looked like disturbing the netting. On 57 mins Eifion Jones went into the referees book for a foul on Mike Walsh. Burgess seemed to have overhit the cross but Paul O'Neill recovered and set up Paul Roberts but Pritchard held cleanly. As play swung to the other end 24 year old John Rowley, a newcomer to the WP scene, shot for the bottom corner and thought he had won a corner but it was not to be. The diminutive Dylan Owen lobbed a couple of high crosses onto the roof of the Bangor net before Craig Garside encouraged Referee Evans to book Mike Walsh with a theatrical scream after a pretty ordinary challenge on half way. Caernarfon moved forward and Dylan Owen, one of the Wrexham old boys, tested Price with a low drive twenty five yard drive. Caernarfon went even close on 70 minutes when Lee Jones crossed for John Rowley to turn and fire on goal from point blank range. The ever alert Andrew Price was equal to the challenge and pushed the ball away for a corner. A challenge from Paul Roberts saw him join Walsh in the book, City forced a seventh corner and Kyle Jones had to be alert to deny substitute Marcus Orlick who replaced Wayne Phillips on 75 minutes. Caernarfon had now switched to a three man defence with Kenny Irons playing behind Jones and March. A flurry of subs followed, with most notably Ben Ogivly and Mike Burke replacing Layton Maxwell and Kenny Burgess. In the final minutes of the ninety Caernarfon forced three corners and stretched Bangor's defence - most notably Martin Beattie - to the limit. A minute into the three of stoppage time City won their ninth corner of the game on the right. Seventeen year old Ben Ogilvy crossed and Mike Walsh headed home! Unbelievable. The St Pauls End erupted, the Bangor crowd celebrated and within minutes the whistle blew with the blue horde happy. Finally a word for Referee Lee Evans. Think. Why allow Caernarfon veteran Kenny Irons to verbally abuse you all afternoon and not be cautioned, yet triumphantly flash the plastic at Paul Roberts for next to nothing? It is scarcely fit to bring young children to football matches these days with foul mouthed players bellowing obcenities from the middle of the paddock. |
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|
| 21 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
| Whilst the
players are very much those brought together by Peter Davenport today's
1-0 win at Newtown owed much to the formation employed by temporary
manager
Mel Jones. City lined up with Clayton Blackmore at sweeper in a back three alongside Paul O'Neill - who was simply outstanding - and Kyle Jones who also impressed once more. The five man midfield allowed Layton Maxwell to concentrate on attack rather than defence and the hard working pair of Paul Friel and the hugely impressive Chris Priest also paid dividends. Despite all this the first half was pretty flat. Newtown offered little to worry Andrew Price nor did Bangor unduly alarm John Rowley. However it was The Robins who brought Price into action first with a comfortable save from Dan Desormeaux's twenty yarder. Newtown held sway for a brief period and earned a couple of corners but Paul O'Neill stood firm. Midway through the first half another home corner prompted Price to rise majestically to gather above his defence and set City moving forward. Carl Lamb ran at pace but his goalbound shot was blocked by former Citizen Mark Allen. The resulting throw fell for Kenny Burgess who cut into the box from the right but slashed wide from twelve yards out. Referee Tregonning then yellow carded Paul Roberts for a rash challenge which will restrict his availablity over the Christmas period. On the half hour Bangor won their first corner after Chris Priest and Kenny Burges combined to set up Layton Maxwell but his effort was blocked. With time running out Desormeaux headed over before Bangor snatched a late lead. Layton Maxwell feigned to take a throw on the right but instead handed over to Kyle Jones whose long throw was half cleared by Adrian Moody to the edge of the box. Mike Walsh kept his eye on the ball to send it skimming into the corner of the net with home keeper Rowley a touch slow to react - not so the visiting Bangor fans who celebrated immediately! After less than a minute of injury time City ran off the happier of what was otherwise an even, slightly dull, first period. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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|
If City had been lucky to go in a goal ahead after 45 minutes
they will still wonder how it was not four or five after ninety as the
men in blue dominated but found John Rowley in unbeatable mood. Again though it was Price who was called into action to hold a clean left footed strike from Gareth Hughes. Bangor responded through Layton Maxwell who sidefooted on target after good approach play from Mike Walsh. Again though Rowley was up to the task. Moments later Walsh went close himself after breezing past slightly built teenage fullback Craig Williams. On 58 mins Chris Priest was the second - and last - Bangor player to be cautioned for a foul on the right touchline. Paul Friel then released Carl Lamb on the right. The pacey striker ran on goal and unleashed a powerful shot which produced an acrobatic stop from Rowley. The resulting corner was played short to Layton Maxwell who confused Giles before crossing but The Robins scrambled clear. Rowley then misplaced a booted clearance which the alert Mike Walsh headed through to Paul Roberts but his low drive from the right missed the near upright by inches. City forced a third corner after the all action Chris Priest set up Paul Roberts but again Newtown refused to be beaten and charged upfield on the counter attack with Lewis speeding past Clayton Blackmore but not beyond Kyle Jones whose presence brought the move to a halt. Lewis stopped and switched play to the left but Peter Smith, largely anonymous it must be said, fired well wide. Paul Roberts then crashed another twenty yarder narrowly wide before Carl Lamb's header went beyond the back post after a good cross from the right by Kenny Burgess. With fifteen minutes remaining Alan Hooley gathered a pass from Smith but his shot was held Price. This was little more than temporary respite as Roberts again fired on target but again found Rowley in the way. Ten minutes remaining and Andy Webb replaced Matthew Lewis but it was as before as Mike Walsh picked out Paul Roberts who was thwarted by Rowley. Walsh then ran on goal and set up Chris Priest but his effort flew wide. As often happens late chances might have - however unfairly - denied Bangor. First Desormeaux fired wide and then a last minute corner yielded a goal line clearance from Kyle Jones. But City held out for the three points and should, in all fairness, have won by a few more. |
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| 20 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Life after Peter Davenport got off to a glum start as his former
charges stumbled to a solitary goal defeat against a typically negative
Haverfordwest County. Acting manager Mel Jones left out Kevin
Scott in favour
of Martin Beattie but selected within the players brought in - or
brought
on - by the former manager. County only know one way to play, defensively. With Brace operating at sweeper in a five man defence the offside trap is a sight to behold. The linesman on the High Street side must have needed deep heat for armstrain during the half time interval. Bangor's first shot on target came on ten minutes when Kenny Burgess latched onto a header from Paul Roberts to fire too close to visiting goalkeeper Lee Kendall. Five minutes later City enjoyed another relative success as Kendall had to work harder to keep out a 25 yarder from Paul Roberts . This produced the home side's first corner of the match but was quickly cleared. On the half hour, with the offsides mounting and time wasting agitating the home fans, Chris Priest lashed left footed at a half chance on the edge of the box and sent the ball ballooning into the St Pauls End. With their goal intact the wholeheartedly boring visitors won a corner on the left which was delivered with too much pace for Adams as he stretched at the back post. County then sprung out on the Bangor left but Clayton Blackmore had anticipated well and stopped the onrushing Blain. By now Haverfordwest were enjoying a fair share of possession and a deep freekick from Chris O'Sullivan sped to the forehead of Wyn Thomas but he placed his header wide. The narcissistic defender had been off the field a couple of times with blood seeping from a split eyebrow but by now referee Evans had lost interest and allowed him to stay on the field. Indeed the visitors finished the first half the stronger with a flurry of corners starting with a wicked deflection off Kyle Jones which left Andrew Pryce flatfooted. The final action of the first half was a cleanly struck freekick by left wingback Wayne Jones and a yellow card for dissent issued to Paul Roberts. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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|
A minute after the interval County took the lead in spectacular
- or should that be speculative - fashion. Latching onto a loose
ball some 40 yards out Phil Caitlin fired
goalwards and was pleasantly surprised to see the ball carry over
Andrew
Pryce and into the Bangor net. The trio of visiting supporters -
which is three more than some clubs bring - celebrated loudly. Paul Roberts tried to bring Bangor back into the match with a run and shot along the right but Kendall saved with ease. Then Wayne Jones hit the post from long distance. On the hour the first of a number of substitutions which, however well intended, had no obvious effect. Martin Beattie making way for Carl Lamb with Kenny Burgess moving across to the left wing. Then Layton Maxwell replaced Kyle Jones before finally, with fifteen minutes remaining, MikeWalsh came on for a tiring Ben Ogilvy with Burgess by now operating as one of three at the back. Haverfordwest forced a couple more corners as Paul O'Neill as usual worked tirelessly to repel the attackers. Midfielder Hudgell was then yellow carded for a blatant block on Carl Lamb moments after he got away with a blatant handball. Ambling leftpeg Jones was then replaced by Chris Miller and, on ninety minutes, Wyn Thomas came off in favour of Owen Thomas. Bangor huffed and puffed, County held firm, but in the final minute there was a chance for Paul Roberts who controlled a cross from the right to shoot goalwards from six yards. Goal? Not quite, the ball struck a visting defender on his back and bounced away to safety. Game over, and the players in those strange coloured shirts were the ones with arms raised high. One small point, five substitutions and endless timewasting generated - 3 mins of added time. Having allowed thirty seconds per csub (as per the rules) referee Evans added just thirty seconds more for all the drab gamesmanship that passes for football these days. |
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| 19 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
This turned out to be Peter Davenport's final match in
charge of Bangor City and ended in a heavy defeat at Belle Vue to a
Lilywhites side inspired by a commanding performance from former Blues
favourite Ricky Evans. The early exchanges saw re-signed Kenny Burgess cross from the right and Paul Whitfield save from Clayton Blackmore before Andrew Price saved comfortably from Andy Moran who latched onto Chris Adamson's curling cross. Bangor forced a couple of corners but also picked up the games first yellow card as referee Mark Whitby bought Marc Limberts inventive dive and punished Chris Priest . The sparring came to an abrupt end on 19 minutes when Lee Hunt found the back of the net from a tight angle at the back post after a deep cross from the left by Adamson. Bangor fought back and thought they had won a penalty when Kenny Burgess was clearly tripped in the box, but Mr Whitby thought otherwise and yellow carded the winger for diving! Andy Moran stung Andrew Price's hands with a twenty five yard screamer before Rhyl doubled their advantage on 27 mins. A straightforward corner from the right dropped into the six yard box and Andy Moran crashed home, unmarked, to the delight of the noisy home contingent. With Ricky Evans a dominant force in the middle of the park City found it difficult to establish any kind of creative platform. When Bangor sought to reply Alex Hay crossed from the left but Paul Roberts stooped to head over from six yards with Paul Whitfield at full stretch. On the stoke of half time Paul Roberts fired a freekick from the right which was not cleared and watched at Paul O'Neill failed to make clean contact and Whitfield just managed to gather on the ground. |
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| HALF TIME 2-0 |
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|
Three minutes after the interval the game was over as a contest.
A Mark Powell freekick dropped in the penalty area where unmarked
Greg Stones waited to drive home
from eight yards. Five minutes later a booming deep cross from
the
right from the outstanding Ricky Evans was headed home emphatically
by Andy Moran who left Price with no
chance
from the left. By now former Bangor favourite Evans was in full flight and - in that sort of mood or form - is clearly the best midfielder in the league bar none. For Bangor Paul O'Neill stuck to his task resolutely along with Martin Beattie and midfielder Paul Friel. On 55 minutes Bangor forced a reply when Alex Hay was first to react when Clayton Blackmore's corner was turned goalwards by Paul Roberts. Hay rushed forward on the left to send a low rasping drive wide of the left hand upright but was replaced moments later in a double substitution along with Chris Priest; Kyle Jones and Mike Burke entering the field. Young Andrew Price pulled off a tremendous save from Mark Powell who had latched onto a deep cross whereupon referee Whitby yellow carded Paul Friel for a trip a moment earlier. Mike Burke shot on target from 25 yards out but Whitfield held comfortably enough. And to a large degree that was that. Bangor sent over a number of crosses that no one in particular managed to get on the end of, Rhyl forced a couple more saves from Price who generally played well behind a defence which allowed the Rhyl forwards too much time and space. |
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| 18 |
|
|
PREMIER CUP |
|
|
|
|
Carmarthen ran out deserved winners in this Premier Cup clash
which they dominated pretty much from start to finish. City,
clearly lacking the guidance of Chris Priest in midfield, were unable
to make much impression on the powerful centreback pairing of Giles and
Evans whilst Andrew Delve gave an assured performance in goal. On a still night the visitors laid seige to the St Pauls End and might have gone ahead in the opening minutes as former Afan Lido midfielder Sasha Walters saw his effort saved by Andrew Price whose hands were kept warm all night. On nine minutes Bangor fell behind to a spot kick. Leftback Martin Beattie lost possession on the half way line and Carmarthen played the ball into the gap he had left, which Nathan Cotterall exploited to good effect. The pacey winger ran at Lee Martin and cut into the box tempting a rash challenge from the retreating Beattie which felled Cotterall and yielded a penalty which Gary Lloyd crashed home despite a brave effort from Price. The first corner of the evening came on 21 minutes and ended in Paul Friel seeing his shot blocked and then being forced to race back eighty yards to prevent the visitors from capitalising on the break. Cotterall then went close for Carmarthen who sensed the opportunity to close the match out before half time. However when the whistle sounded for half time Bangor fans were relieved to be just a goal behind whilst visiting manager Mark Jones must have wondered how his side were not home and dry. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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|
Soon after the interval Carmarthen replaced midfielder Rhodri
Jones with Neil Smothers. But it was still business as usual with
the visitors quicker to the ball and stronger in the tackle. Danny
Thomas hit the crossbar before City's finest moment of the evening (so
far)
arrived. Carl Lamb deflected a long clearance from Mike Walsh
into the path of Paul Roberts whose 35 yard dipping volley span just
over the lefthand upright with Delve, for once, beaten. Carl Lamb was then shown the yellow card for pushing out in frustration at being held by a succession of Carmarthen defenders, clearly schooled by Mark Aizlewood in the dark arts of defending. Clayton Blackmore sent a low cross shot in from the right but Paul Roberts scuffed his close range shot straight at Delve. Abrasive midfielder Richard Kennedy was also cautioned for stamping on Paul O'Neill as the former Gretna defender lay on the grass. With twenty minutes to go a bulky looking Mattie Davies replaced Mark Dodds who had led the line. Within minutes, on 74, the jokes turned sour as Andrew Price failed to hold Gary Lloyd's speculative long range shot and saw the ball balloon up to Mattie Davies who headed home from six yards. On 75 minutes a hobbling Paul Friel made way for teenage winger Darren Gowans before Danny Thomas was carded for failing to retreat at a freekick. With five mins remaining Mike Burke replaced Layton Maxwell and another yellow card followed as Sasha Walters threw Clayton Blackmore to the floor on the half way line. Along with the card shown to Kennedy it would be interesting to know what offence both were charged with; if it was violent conduct - as seems probable - then the colour might have been red. Into injury time and Lee Martin sent a deep freekick in from the left which found Mike Burke in the visitors box. The promising young striker controlled and conjured up a low finish to beat Delve from eight yards and set up a surprise finish for Mark Jones' side. However the visitors kept the ball at the Farrar End to the frustration of the home fans until Mr Lawler blew for the final time. |
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| 17 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
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|
|
|
Before the
match a one minute silence, in memory of Irish legend George Best, was
immaculately observed by all present at Farrar Road. Some thirty
six years earlier the European Footballer of The Year had been a member
of the Manchester United side which opposed Wales in a
celebratory fixture as Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales
at Caernarfon castle. So it was fitting that two wingers were the focus of attention, before and after this high scoring match on the grass graced by Best and many other greats all those years ago. City fans had come hoping for a first glimpse of local teenager Darren Gowans but left doutbless impressed by an outsanding performance by visiting left winger Rassul Abdul who gave Clayton Blackmore a torrid time on the right for City. Not that Abdul made a huge difference to the overall outcome of the ninety minutes. City were ahead inside one minute with the fastest goal seen at Farrar Road for years. A Paul O'Neill backpass was cleared by Andrew Price and swept towards the Farrar End by a stiff breeze. Having cleared Paul Roberts the ball deceived Terry Evans and left Alex Hay free to run to the right, shoot at goal and set up Carl Lamb who had the simplest of jobs from two yards out. Both teams carved out chances with Showderry going close and Abdul unsettling the Bangor defence on more than one occasion. In one combination involving the two visitors Kyle Jones appealed for a foul, referee John ruled play on, and Showderry forced a good save from Andrew Price with Paul O'Neill completing the clearance. On 25 mins a pacey run from Alex Hay on the left set up Layton Maxwell whose shot was deflected wide for a fourth corner for the home side. Play switched to the St Pauls End where Showderry again went close from fifteen yards. Chris Priest fired off target before the lanky Joe Finlayson repeated the feat at the opposite end. City went closest when a Clayton Blackmore freekick hit the wall and span to Chris Priest whose sweet drive struck the left hand upright. The ball was crossed to Carl Lamb but his close range header flew over. On 35 minutes Bangor doubled their advantage. After a number of promising freekicks had been wasted, leading goalscorer Paul Roberts took control of a thirty yarder which he drilled hard and low against the left hand post. The ball cannoned back off the upright, struck the goalkeeper in the back and trickled across the line. Five minutes later Finlayson was cautioned for dissent and Gareth Elliot header over from eight yards. Bangor struck back through Paul Roberts who also just missed the target from Clayton Blackmore's cross. Andul fired off target before Bangor bagged their third goal in the 44th minute. Layton Maxwell and Chris Priest combined to find Clayton Blackmore on the right. His pass found Mike Walsh who in turn passed to Carl Lamb whose cross shot was half stopped by 16 year old Golton but only as far as Paul Roberts who slid the ball home from point blank range. As the home fans sat down The Quins broke on the left, Abdul crossed despite being surrounded by defenders, and a fumble by Andrew Price allowed Brian Showderry to tap home from close range. |
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| HALF TIME 3-1 |
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|
Playing into the breeze and attacking the St Pauls End, City
nearly went further ahead from the restart as Alex Hay chased a clever
through ball from Chris Priest but young Golton saved well.
However the game youngster was beaten again on 55 mins. A
well weighted
pass from Layton Maxwell found Alex Hay on the left, his run ended in a
near post cross which was bungled by Golton into the path of Paul Roberts who completed his hatrick. On the hour City fans welcomed young Darren Gowans, signed from Beaumaris, onto the pitch in place of the mercurial Layton Maxwell. After consulting his assistant referee John then yellow carded Paul Roberts and Quins defender Gareth Elliot for some supposed off the ball altercation. Ben Ogilvy then replaced Clayton Blackmore with Kyle Jones moving to rightback and Martin Beattie vacating his fullback berth to line up alongside Paul O'Neill. Darren Gowans charged down the left to cross near post for Carl Lamb but his effort was deflected for a corner. Mike Burke then came on for Paul Roberts with one eye on forthcoming fixtures. In a spirited fightback the visitors forced five corners in a five minute spell beginning on 75 mins, but having failed to score they nearly conceded as sub Mike Burke saw his rightwing cross land on Golton's crossbar. Gowans enjoyed another run down the left after an inviting pass from Alex Hay who was involved in the final action of the match. A booming crossfield ball from Carl Lamb was collected by Hay who ran at the visitors defence, shot on target, Golton fumbled onto the post and Chris Priest popped up to side foot home from close range yet again. So an emphatic victory after what was at times a patchy performance. Grange Quins brought little support, no manager and went home on the wrong end of a heavy defeat. But in the performances of Showderry and the skilful Abdul they have hope for the future. As indeed do Bangor judging by the average age of the side which left the field to a warm ovation from the Bangor faithful. |
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|
| 16 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
With the playing surface a glistening white iced bun
the big decision for Referee Petch came at 6.45pm. He ruled
that the game should go ahead
- which most of us wanted - but perhaps most Bangor fans regretted by
the final whistle two and a half hours later. However, with the pitch feeling a touch softer than it looked, Bangor roared into an early lead and looked set to run away with the match as so often before. A ball on the right to Alex Hay was played back to Carl Lamb who looked up and side footed home into the roof of the net from twelve yards out. Unfortunately on ten minutes former Penycae striker Ian Andrews levelled the scores with a clean header from in front of goal to the delight of the Ancients supporters. Andrews posed a threat all evening and delighted the home fans keen to see local players represent the village. On 18 mins things got worse for Bangor. A third Cefn corner found Mark Hobson ten yards out, largely because of an obvious push on Andrew Price. The centreback bungled the ball home along the ground to put The Druids ahead. It has to be said that Deganwy referee Mark Petch can expect few greeting cards from the blues supporters shivering in the chill conditions. He regularly allowed pushes and fouls to go unpunished and set a tone for the evening which, allied to the conditions, made constructive football impossible. Nevertheless City fought back and Clayton Blackmore saw the lanky Pahulyi punch his effort clear before the equaliser arrived on 23 minutes. A goalbound effort by Paul Roberts was blocked by the keeper but the former Wrexham striker steadied himself to crash the rebound home from a tight angle on the left. Ironically with both sets of fans hoping for a goal fest that was the end of the scoring! However it was not the end of the chances, saves and near misses, with both sides enjoying an equal share. As time ran out Bangor forced a couple of corners, one as a Carl Lamb header was cleared off his line by Osian Jones, and then the towering Pahuly1 clutched the follow up attempt. Into injury time Clayton Blackmore ran down the right to cross low for Paul Roberts but he swept the first time effort over the bar. Scores and honours even as Mr Petch took the players off for a warming tot of whisky, or the spectators at any rate. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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|
Bangor should have regained the lead soon after the restart
but Paul Roberts again swept over on the half volley after a promising
run on the right from Carl Lamb. Cefn replaced the anonymous Paul
McDonnell with another former Penycae man Ian Williams who slotted
comfortably into centre midfield. Bangor forced a couple more corners but Paul Roberts again missed the target after good approach play from the wily Clayton Blackmore. A fifth corner for City created an opening for Lee Martin but his header flew over. Cefn retaliated with a Matthew Cook shot blocked and then a long range looping header from Mark Hobson landed on top of the net. By now the pitch was firming up and the ball bouncing around madly. On 66 minutes Kyle Jones made was for Mike Burke and his first touch again caught the eye, a 30 yard special which brought an athletic stop from Pahulyi. On 69 mins the promising Liam Sweeney made way for Alun Evans whom Bangor once bought for £500 from Flint! Layton Maxwell would have preferred a better surface but his clever pass to Alex Hay gave the former Rushden striker a long range strike but again Pahulyi held. City were gaining some ground on the left where Martin Beattie cut a composed figure on his return to Plaskynaston. A breathtaking turn and run from Alun Evans, inside the Bangor box, caused chaos but his shot sped narrowly wide. City replaced Carl Lamb with Mike Burke before Referee Petch discovered his yellow card which was duly shown to Chris Priest, Paul Mazzarrella and finally the promising Rhys Robbins who enjoyed a fine evening at rightback for The Druids. During this time Ian Andrew and Paul Roberts went close but it was Bangor who were perhaps the more relieved and probably disappointed with the final whistle on what was by now a frostbound Plaskynaston pitch. |
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| 15 |
|
|
THE
WELSH CUP |
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|
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With a new
manager due on Monday and two of the club's more experienced players in
charge this was never going to be a walkover for City
against a determined Aber side. Despite making heavy weather of things
Bangor finally collected all three points thanks to a second half brace
from substitute Mike Burke. The seventeen year old came off the bench with some twenty five minutes remaining but for the opening hour Bangor fans have begun to fear the worse as Aber at first frustrated the home side and then took a second half lead. Aber opened brightly with Sion Meredith and Jon Coates causing problems for City's defence where fit again stopper Paul O'Neill was kept busy. The first real threat came when Jon Coates ran on goal and forced a great save from Andrew Price but the lose ball ran to Glyndwr Hughes whose wild effort flew over. On twenty minutes City reshuffled the side to let Layton Maxwell see more of the ball but Aber, led by the abrasive Bari Morgan, kept working hard and forcing Bangor to give away possesion. A first corner came on the 21st minute after Chris Priest saw his shot blocked but Aneurin Thomas headed clear. Then Clayton Blackmore's freekick caused confusion in the Seasiders defence and prompted the inept Burrows to slice over his own bar. On the half hour Layton Maxwell went on a jinking run which saw his pass three visiting defenders, Morgan saved well to his left but Mike Walsh delayed and the chance was gone. Hughes fired off target again after good work involving Sion Meredith and Jon Coates. Paul Roberts was then yellow carded for a kick on David Burrows after the deposed ex-manager pleaded with referee Ray Ellingham. If Brian Coyne cannot find a better fullback than Burrows he will have problems aplenty. A couple more cautions followed, for Aneurin Thomas for a foul on Mike Walsh before Bari Morgan followed up with a kick on the same player. City closed the half on the attack as Layton Maxwell forced the stumpy figure of Morgan to punch clear, but Aber might have gone ahead but for some alert defending from the flame haired Kyle Jones who denied Hicks and then Paul O'Neill who blocked a goalbound effort from Coates. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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Sixteen year old Ben Ogilvy appeared at the interval in place of
Mike Walsh who had been on the receiving end of some rough treatment
from the managerless visitors. Aber attacked from the restart and Ogilvy quickly showed his pedigree with a quick-footed clearance at the near post as Bangor struggled to clear an early corner. With Martin Beattie pushed upfield City had more width but on 55 minutes it was the visitors who had something to celebrate with the opening goal of the game. Tim Hicks was on hand to round off a fine passing move involving Coates and Meredith, his low drive giving Andrew Clarke no chance. On the hour Clayton Blackmore sent over City's fourth corner of the afternoon but Alex Hay's downward header passed the wrong side of the post. With frustration growing in the home camp manager Peter Davenport withdrew Paul Friel in favour of seventeen year old Mike Burke. Some home fans expressed their disappointment at this change and others concerned themselves with the young replacements goal scoring potential. Whatever the worries they quickly disappeared. Aber failed to clear a Kyle Jones long throw and the ball was worked across field, via Chris Priest, to Martin Beattie whose left footed cross the to back post found Mike Burke who got the better of David Burrows and powered a header into the visitors net on 70 minutes. Aber promptly replaced Sion Meredith with Matthew Roberts and forced a corner which Paul O'Neill headed away. City might have gone ahead when Chris Priest saw his header cleared off the line but then blasted a half chance from another Blackmore corner into the St Paul's End. With fifteen minutes on the clock Alex Hay thought he had scored but the whistle had already sounded for a foul on goalkeeper Morgan. On 80 mins City were ahead for the first time in the match. A corner from the left delivered by Clayton Blackmore was flicked on by substitute Mike Burke for his second headed goal of the afternoon to the delight of the Bangor fans and management. Aber were far from beaten and forced a number of corners and a dangerous freekick - awarded against Kyle Jones on the edge of the box - but could not beat the blues defence. Then into injury time Mike Burke trotted the ball out of defence on the right, looked around for support and spotted Alex Hay on a diagonal run from left to right and in behind Sion James who watched as the former Rushden frontman rounded Morgan a slid the ball home for a reassuring third goal and his seventh of the season. If 3-1 was a little harsh on the visitors it mattered not to the triumphant Bangor fans who cheered loudly at the final whistle blown by referee Ellingham who earned his customary "ovation" as he entered the tunnel! |
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| 14 |
|
|
THE
WELSH CUP |
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|
| Bangor exacted full revenge on the
unfortunate Planemakers as this Welsh Cup win helped erase memories of
Friday evening's defeat at Airbus. The hero of the hour was Paul Roberts who bagged his first hatrick of the season but there were good performances throughout the team, notably the composure and honest endeavour of teenage defenders Ben Ogilvy and Kyle Jones. A calm, still evening at Farrar Road saw City attacking the Farrar End but neither side did much to trouble the young goakeepers for the opening quarter hour. But on 20 minutes s a crunching tackle on Steve Futcher by Paul Roberts brought things to life and a minute later a blistering run by Alex Hay on the left forced a great save from Adam McGee in the visitors goal which resulted in a couple of corners for Bangor, the second of which saw a Paul Roberts shot cleared off the line. Hay had by now got the measure of Paul Connelly which was bad news for the former Bala Town defender. One scorching run left the lanky right back scrambling in his wake and as the ball reached midfielder Mike Walsh a clumsy challenge from Steve Futcher brought a swift repost from referee Kevin Parry who promptly pointed to the spot. Paul Roberts placed the ball and hammered home past McGee despite his hand waving and leaping. As Airbus pressed the young defence held firm with Martin Beattie winning a couple of important headers whilst Clayton Blackmore sent a Bangor freekick on target but Sudlow cleared. A dreadful backpass from Richard Smart went to the feet of Paul Roberts but his weak shot was comfortably collected by McGee. Paul Roberts again worked the goalkeeper following a right wing run by Carl Lamb before Kyle Jones was in quickly to snuff out Dave Hughes' run on the Bangor right. Five minutes before the interval Alex Hay again sped past the hapless Connelly and fired on target but again the goalline clearance came to the rescue. On the stroke of half time Airbus won their first corner but the danger was cleared and the whistle blown. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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|
From the offset Bangor came out with a sense of purpose and won
their fourth corner of the evening through the persevering Paul
Roberts. Clayton Blackmore took the kick but ball hit Roberts
and ran out for a goalkick. Airbus were looking to Steve Futcher to fire their midfield but lacked the classy presence of Gareth Owen who was allowed onto the bench. City were gaining in confidence with the sure footed Layton Maxwell passing the ball with power and pace whilst Mike Walsh was winning more than his share of tackles. On 59 minutes Paul Connelly was yellow carded for a block on Alex Hay and a minute later City had doubled their lead as Carl Lamb's header was controlled by Paul Roberts who picked his moment to beat McGee from close range. Airbus responded by replacing leftback Richard Smart with Halkyn defender Andy Thomas but this made little difference to the balance of power. However Steve Futcher made amends for penalty gaff with a tremendous strike from the edge of the box to bring the visitors right back into contention. With Kyle Jones proving a match for the powerful Leech the visitors lacked an obvious goal threat but Bangor still wanted a two goal cushion and on 72 mins they had just that. Paul Roberts out muscled Sudlow on the half way line to release Carl Lamb on the right, his deep cross found Alex Hay beyond the back post. Hay sent a powerful shot crashing against the crossbar but it was Paul Roberts who gathered the rebound to finish off the move and complete his hatrick in grand style. Ben Ogivly enjoyed a fine evening at leftback and proved a fair match for promising wingman Craig Jones. Tiring midfielder Mike Walsh was replaced by Paul Friel minutes after the young midfielder had been yellow carded for a foul on former Caernarfon captain Leigh Williams. The visitors proved their resilience with a goal on 82 mins. A harsh free kick award on the right resulted in Craig Jones scoring with back to goal from six yards. City fans scarcely had time to fear the worst before an 84th minute corner on the right - City seventh of the evening - was knocked in near post for Layton Maxwell to head home despite defenders on the line. Well someone did shout "attack the ball" but perhaps it was the bespectacled Airbus assistant. In the closing minutes Airbus sent on Purcell and Jennings for Craig Jones and Leigh Williams whilst Bangor replaced Carl Lamb with Mike Burke. But no matter, a tremendous win for Bangor and one which gives the club an early place in the fourth round draw scheduled for Saturday evening. |
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| 13 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
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|
|
Broughton is a place best avoided by Bangor fans, and not
just because of the
money draining retail park behind the extensive Aersospace factory.
City are yet to reproduce anything like decent form on the
Airbus ground and were deservedly beaten on Friday night by a clean
strike from promising ginger hairing striker Dave Hughes. It didn't help matters that, with Paul O'Neill absent injured, Lee Martin limped out of the action on the stroke of half time with Martin Beattie moving to partner 18 year old Kyle Jones at centre back. But in fairness 16 year old Ben Ogilvy did well and must have impressed Peter Davenport as he tussled with his defensive quandry. The Planemakers took the lead on ten minutes with some slick passing which took advantage of a touch of ball watching from the Bangor defence to allow Kevin Leech to place the ball past Andrew Price from ten yards. Inpired by this Gareth Owen's side pushed forward and won a couple of corners which tested Price and the drew Chris Priest into a mistimed atackle which earned him a yellow card on the quarter hour. A third Airbus corner saw Kevin Leech head wide before Alex Hay raced on goal to force a good save from Adam McGee and yield City's first corner kick. Next Leyton Maxwell passed infield to Chris Priest but his shot was cleanly held by McGee, then Maxwell himself fired wide from Alex Hay's lay off. On 25 minutes Paul Friel was the second City player into Morda referee Huw Jones' little black book for a shoulder charge. Moments later Andrew Price smothered the ball at Garet Owen's feet. On the half hour a third Airbus corner ended in Hopkins' sliced shot finding Dave Hughes who hesitated momentarily for Andrew Price to again dive on the deck to gather the ball. Spectators on the open side were distracted by a young boy screaming "dad" and running for a bit of protection as a large fox wandered in his direction, by the looks of things hoping for a match or maybe a meal! Powerful Airbus striker Kevin Leech was then found guilty via a noisy fans' intervention as he seemed set to get away with kicking the ball away following a stoppage. Referee Jones proved himself a man of the people with a correct yellow card. Five minutes before the interval 18 year old winger Craig Jones joined him in the book for a two footed lunge on Andrew Price which left the young goalkeeper needing treatment. Bangor pressed in the closing minutes as Chris Priest went close and won a second corner but grim news before the whistle with the departure of Lee Martin. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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With Bangor fans looking for encouragement and contemplating the
whereabouts of the Broughton fox, City's former Rushden striker Alex Hay took centre stage with a
fine run on the right which saw him beat McGee at his near post
for a welcome leveller inside the first minute. But moments later Bangor fans held their breath as Kyle Jones appeared to have conceded a penalty but the official waved play on. On 52 minutes Dave Hughes restored the lead for Airbus with a clean drive from the edge of the box as City failed to clear. Airbus found profit in the long ball route as Kevin Leech used his aerial strength to win good field positions and the home side won a couple more corners before young Kyle Jones defended bravely on the edge of his own box with a timely intervention to deny Hughes. Bangor then replaced Paul Friel with Carl Lamb lining up on the right to allow Mike Walsh a central berth which he took on purposefully. With fifteen minutes remaining Steve Futcher was yellow carded for a foul on Chris Priest. Bangor might have drawn level moments later when a well flighted corner from Ben Ogilvy caused confusion in the Airbus defence and Mike Walsh saw his shot turned away. Chris Priest found space ahead of Lamb on the right but his near post cross was cut out then Mike Walsh found Paul Roberts but his touch let him down and the home defence hoofed clear. Into the final ten minutes with all to play for. Alex Hay wins a freekick off Gareth Sudlow but an offside flag halted Bangor's progress and the tall defender joined the 'Bus contingent in Mr Jones notebook for a lunge on Maxwell who moments later headed wide at the back post from another cleanly struck corner from Ben Ogilvy. With time running out the home side became jittery and City pressed for some late reward. Gareth Owen was yellow carded for a foul on the stroke of ninety minutes and then shown a straight red for another incident 5 minutes later. Leyton Maxwell saw his shot blocked after good approach play involving Mike Walsh. Ben Ogilvy left the field during this time was replaced by Mike Burke. Finally Carl Lamb lofted high and wide from fifteen yards to condemn Bangor to what was - in the end - a touch a rough justice, but over the ninety minutes Airbus just about deserved the win. Now where is that fox.... |
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| 12 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
In what turned out to be Brian Coyne's final match in charge of
Cwmbran it was the enignmatic Alex Hay who had the Bangor supporters
muttering at half time and then cheering at the final whistle. The affable Scot, who did so much for Newtown as manager during the nineties, had become exasperated with the lack of support for The Crows and decided his position was untenable. City fans, similarlily at their wits end by some poor finishing before the break, could scarcely believe the second half transformation. With Paul O'Neill injured Bangor drafted 18 year Kyle Jones in as centre half, with Clayton Blackmore to his right and the imperious Lee Martin for company. Recent signing Martin Beattie enjoyed another outing at leftback. But it was Coyne's Crows who might have stolen an early lead had Jamie Edwards directed his header on target when he met Rhys Carpenters right wing cross. On the quarter hour the inevitable refereeing controvesy! As Paul Roberts rounded Jason Perry to chase the ball into the box the former Welsh International cut out the pass with his hand. The freekick was rightly awarded but quite how the grey haired defender stayed on the pitch - without so much as a yellow card - is bewildering. The freekick provoked a ferocious drive from Clayton Blackmore but the youthful Nicholas Church did well to get in the way and Cwmbran eventually cleared. Minutes later Paul Roberts seized on the ball in the visitors half and unleashed a dipping volley which cleared the Crows crossbar by about a foot. Ten minutes before the interval a well directed header from Layton Maxwell found Alex Hay who cruised past Jason Perry but sent his rising drive into the Farrar End. Cwmbran then nearly capitalised on a piece of bad luck for Andrew Price whose clearance struck Lee Martin and ballooned to Jamie Edwards but his lob cleared the crossbar with the young 'keeper backpeddling. The visitors rallied and Andrew Price did well to save with his feet as Kaid Mohammed raced goalwards with Kyle Jones in hot pursuit. The final action of the first half saw Chris Priest win the ball in midfield and shoot for goal, but sadly he dragged the effort wide and referee Morgan blew for the break. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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|
Half time over and Bangor quickly back into their stride as Paul
Friel chipped a weak goalkick from Church into the path
of Paul Roberts but his shot flew off target. As Cwmbran played
with enterprise and made the most of the pace of Mohammed, City had
to look to the pace of Kyle Jones alongside the experience of Clayton
Blackmore and Lee Martin to keep a clean sheet. On the hour Mike Walsh lofted over when well placed following a bad misjudgement from James, and then left sided pair Letyon Maxwell and Martin Beattie combined for the former Druids defender to cross too close to Church. The biggest let off for Bangor came midway through the second half when Chris Thomas ran on goal but, with eager young defenders Mike Walsh and Kyle Jones closing in he sliced his shot into the side netting. This was Walsh's final action as he was replaced on the right wing by Carl Lamb. On 69 mins Layton Maxwell sent over a cross which Church palmed out for a corner. Martin Beattie delivered from the right, Carl Lamb headed on and Jason Perry half cleared but only as far as Paul Roberts whose powerful volley crashed into the Crows net to the immediate relief of a the Bangor fans. A goal to the good, confidence surged through Bangor and more goals looked likely. On 73 mins it was 2-0. A neat lay off from Carl Lamb found Clayton Blackmore whose long clearance confused Perry and Thomas but not the alert figure of Alex Hay who pounced to drive left footed beyond the desparing Church from twenty yards. With ten minutes on the clock the inspired Hay ran infield from the right, picked a pass to Paul Roberts but his right footed curler just beat the right upright. Clayton Blackmore struck another fierce piledriver which hit the young keeper on his knees, but he was up moments later to save at the feet of Carl Lamb. Leyton Maxwell is not the man you want to play against when you are chasing the game, and his lazy turn and shuffle harldy hinted at the powerful strike to follow but Church was relieved to see the shot skim the top of the crossbar. Former Cardiff midfielder Simon Heal forced a good save from Andrew Price but it was Bangor who had the final say in procedings with a third goal. Paul Roberts beat two defenders inside his own half and ran at goal before sending a perfectly weighted pass to his right for Alex Hay who stayed calm to beat Church with a well placed left footer from fifteen yards on 88 minutes. Ben Ogilvy and Mike Burke then replaced Martin Beattie and Paul Roberts for the closing minutes. Game over, a home win at last, and two more goals from the enigmatic Alex Hay in what one of England's finest ever strikers would have dubbed "a game of two halves". |
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| 11 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
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|
|
Bruised, battered but unbowed, Bangor left
Deeside with all three points thanks to a second minute strike from
Paul Roberts who second earlier had unwittingly blocked a goalbound
effort from Alex Hay. On a difficult bumpy surface neither side could settle to play football but Bangor took the lead before some spectators had settled in their seats. There seemed little danger when an aimless ball forward was collected by Danny Jellicoe but the former Kidsgrove defender lost concentration - and the ball - to allow Paul Roberts to nip in and beat Paul Smith with a clean low drive from fifteen yards. At this point Bangor threatened to run riot against a poor Nomads side. Alex Hay crossed from the right and forced Chris Williams to bungle the ball over his bar from close range. Then with just over ten minutes gone an inviting cross from leftback Martin Beattie found Alex Hay but his firm header sped wide of the near post. As per character Connahs Quay were biting into tackles in the midfield area with Alan Morgan and his burly side kick Craig Hutchinson particularly harsh on Paul Friel and Leyton Maxwell. One foul on Maxwell produced a free kick which Clayton Blackmore sent on target from 30 yards but Smith held above his head. Midway through the half Leyton Maxwell evaded Ben Heath to cross from the left but Paul Friel headed wide. On 26 mins the hosts forced Andrew Price into action for the first time with a comfortable save from Stuart Rain. Play switched to the opposite end as Paul Friel raced clear but opted to shoot - off target - with support on either side. The first spiteful incident of the match then held up play as Alan Morgan, hopelessly outplayed in midfield, launched into a two footed tackle on Paul Friel. Referee Jones leniently yellow carded the former Rhyl midfielder. Bangor might have doubled their lead in the closing minutes of the half. A measured long ball out of defence from leftback Martin Beattie was seized on by Alex Hay whose cross to Carl Lamb did not quite come off. But the alert Paul Roberts pounced on the lose ball and shot goalwards on the turn but failed to keep his effort down. On the stroke of half time the diminutive Rain was also "cautioned" for dissent after debating an offside decision. The official added 55 second of stoppage time and blew his whistle. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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|
Connahs Quay made two substitutions prior to the restart,
replacing Jon Kenworthy and debutant Jamie Walker with Paul McDonnell
and Stuart Cook. Within ten minutes they made an impact
as Cook created an opening for Rain which Andrew Price did well
to deny. The Nomads won a throw in which culminated in Alan
Morgan shooting cleanly from 25 yards but Price held the ball
comfortably. Paul Roberts responded for Bangor but his shot rose
over Smith's crossbar. City played for as few minutes with Paul O'Neill either off the field or hobbling, but on 63 mins he was replaced by 16 year old Ben Ogilvy with the versatile Martin Beattie lining up alongside Kyle Jones. Just moments later Carl Lamb might have settled the dispute when he raced into the box after Paul Roberts' dummied the ball but the young striker wasted the gilt edged chance. Ogilvy proceeded to give make a fine impression with his determination and composure under pressure. On 64 mins Stuart Rain made way for James Gambino as the hosts began to create some pressure on the patched up Bangor defence. Former Bangor defender Liam Brownhill pulled Alex Hay's shirt and was promptly shown the yellow card before City might - once more - have doubled their lead. A fine flowing move involving Carl Lamb saw a cross helped on by Layton Maxwell for the charging Paul Roberts but his point blank header was too close to Smith who pulled off a crucial stop. As play switched to the other end Martin Beattie and Kyle Jones were at full stretch to protect the clean sheet. With a quarter of an hour remaining Andrew Price saved well from Danny Jellicoe following Connahs Quay's third corner of the evening. On 78 mins Carl Lamb made way for Chris McGinn. Paul Friel was promptly flattened by a body charge into his back from Gary Reah who had finally entered into the local spirit. However Liam Brownhill had little spirit towards the Bangor defenders who had kicked the ball out to allow the young Irishman to climb to his feet - in breach of the kind of sportsmanship found just about everywhere else. Leyton Maxwell appeared to be racing clear as he crossed half way with only Ben Heath and Jellicoe to beat but a body check from the rightback ended his run and earned the irritable Heath a yellow card. The home side twice hit the woodwork in the closing stages but could not force the all important goal. On 87 mins 18 year old Kyle Jones - who had battled bravely in central defence - made way for fellow teenager Mike Burke, with Mike Walsh switching to rightback and Clayton Blackmore shunting into the middle alongside Martin Beattie. Nomads fans had reason to rue their last minute luck when Cooke saw his effort strike the post and - despite enduring four minutes of stoppage time - Bangor's youthful side deservedly held out. |
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| 10 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
There were three main causes of this defeat for
City, or conversely three reasons why Carmarthen won. The
first a series of wasted chances before the break with neither striker
enjoying his finest afternoon. The second some robust tackling by
the visitors including one which ruled Kevin Scott out until Christmas.
The third some guesswork refereeing from Wrexham official Steve
Kavanagh. The first half was largely about Bangor with Carl Lamb and Chris Priest going close whilst Andrew Price had to be alert to head away as the visitors threatened. But on 12 mins Carmarthen went ahead as former Afan Lido midfielder Sasha Walters got past Kevin Scott to cross from the right for Rhodri Jones to bungle the ball home at the near post. City continued to create chances and the visitors responded as the pedestrian Gary Lloyd headed clear whilst elbowing Paul Roberts in the back of the neck. A corner taken by Kevin Scott landed on the roof of Tony Pennock's net and the danger was cleared as far as Clayton Blackmore whose low drive was saved at the post by the former Yeovil custodian. On twenty minutes Chris Priest ran through the midfield and sent a swerving 25 yard shot which moved beyond the right hand post with Pennock stationery and resigned to his fate. Two minutes later Nathan Cotterall went down on the edge of the box following a collision with Andrew Price who was yellow carded by referee Kavanagh. Gary Lloyd hit the freekick on target but directly into the young keeper's midrift. City should havbe levelled minutes later when a superb left wing cross by Kevin Scott was side footed on target by Paul Roberts when the crowd urged him to slap the ball home. On the half hour Alex Hay ran goalwards and as he was dispossesed the lose ball ran to Leyton Maxwell whose low drive span wide of the left post. Mattie Davies then wwasted a fine chance as he headed wide from six yards out. As half time drew closer Bangor won three corners in quick succession which culminated in Paul Roberts having a goalbound effort hoofed clear by Martyn Giles, one of four tall no-nonesense defenders in the visitors rearguard. Former Port Talbot striker Mark Dodds raced clear on the right but dragged his shot across goal, the Tony Pennock carried on his resistance with a fine save from Carl Lamb after Chris Priest had seen his initial effort blocked. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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With the half time talking to ringing in their ears City came out
and forced three more corners in the opening five minutes. The
third of which saw Paul Friel head back across goal but Tony Pennock
finally latched onto Paul Roberts downwards header. On 50 mins Neil Smothers was yellow carded for a foul on Chris Priest then Alex Hay won City's eighth corner on the right. On 52 mins City drew level when Lee Martin notched his first goal for the club with a close range finish from Clayton Blackmore's cross. On the hour Carmarthen won their second corner of the afternoon which Gary Lloyd hit into the side netting, but moments later he was involved in what turned out to be the winner. Referee Kavanagh ruled that Paul O'Neill had fouled on the edge of the box. Even the visitors bench shook their heads. Gary Lloyd stepped up to send a curling shot into the left hand corner, a spot where defenders might have stood had the young goalkeeper not overuled his more experienced defensive colleagues. It was a bad decision poorly defended by Bangor. Carmarthen promptly replaced the exposed Saad Essa with the more experienced Kevin Evans. Paul Friel then made way for midweek flu victim Mike Walsh, then Kevin Scott raced down the left to fire on target but again Pennock was up to the challenge. When City threatened the alert Carter used his experience to bolster his defence. With eighteen minutes remaining Kevin Scott was injured in a challenge with Sasha Walters and was helped from the field, with Martin Beattie stepping into his leftback berth. Clayton Blackmore went close after receiving a short pass from the mercurial Leyton Maxwell who was tormenting the visitors midfield. On 76 mins Alex Hay was yellow carded for a foul on Sasha Walters before Carl Lamb was replaced by former Rhyl striker Chris McGinn. In the closing stages City won their 9th, 10th and 11th corners but to no avail. The visitors defence - reminscent in style of Unibond sides - cleared their lines and held on through the four minutes of added time. The final whistle was greeted with disappointment by the home crowd, opinions differed in the mainstand, but wasted chances led to this defeat as much - if not more - than yet another woeful official. |
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| 9 |
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WELSH CUP |
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Leyton Maxwell scored two superb goals to stamp his class
on this Welsh Cup second round tie. But credit to Llanberis who
created chances right at the end and never resorted to foul play
despite being largely outplayed from start to finish. The team news saw Eifion Jones & Chris Priest ruled out with injuries which offered a debut to Lee Martin alongside Paul O'Neill, whilst the versatile Michael Walsh lined up alongside Paul Friel in central midfield. The visitors shocked City supporters by winning a first minute corner and raising anxiety levels for a moment or two but it was Darren Owen - facing Bangor - who made the first save from Paul Friel seconds later. Martin Watkinson skied a left wing cross over his own bar to concede an early corner which Owen held in turn from Clayton Blackmore. Bangor built up some pressure as Alex Hay headed narrowly wide before Carl Lamb headed a Kevin Scott cross into the path of Paul Roberts but his effort was held by Owen. On 24 mins City had the lead. It came via the ever improving Alex Hay who cut in from the left to shoot right footed into the near corner despite Owen's whole hearted full length dive. New signing Lee Martin looked calm and composed - he also looked slim and fit - and controlled the ball back to goal, turned and shot narrowly wide. As time ran out Carl Lamb headed wide from close range, Paul Roberts fired over left footed and finally Michael Walsh saw his shot blocked by the on-rushing Darren Owen who was determined not to suffer a landslide defeat. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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The second half belonged largely to the hugely talented enigma
that is Leyton Maxwell. The former Liverpool academy star bemused
and bewitched the spirited lakesiders with quick
feet, incisive passing and clinical finishing. Inside five minutes he had connected with a header which flew over the crossbar, played a one-two with Alex Hay as the striker shot on target twice, and run past the visitors defence to set up Mike Walsh whose shot flew over. The industrious Darren Owen saved twice from Alex Hay on the right before Maxwell dazzled the visitors defence to send a low cross onto Carl Lamb's shin three yards out which hit the young striker unawares. On 52 mins it was two nil. A neat pass and layoff from Paul Roberts supplied Layton Maxwell on the edge of the box and he stroked the ball home with Owen flatfooted and defence not knowing which way to turn. Mounting pressure brought Bangor two more corners before on 55 mins Martin Beattie slotted in at left back, Kev Scott moved to left midfield and Mike Walsh moved across to replaced the departed Carl Lamb. Alex Hay was causing all sorts of problems by running at the Llanberis defence for whom Watkinson and Saynor did well to stand firm. Mention also of midfielder Kevin Owen who worked hard for the visitors. Chris McGinn replaced Paul Roberts with 25 mins remaining. Within moments Darren Owen saved well from strike partner Alex Hay who headed off target from Kevin Cross' corner, the eighth of the afternoon. On 74 mins City went 3-0 up as Chris McGinn's shot was blocked but Layton Maxwell found time and space to lift the ball precisely into the top right hand corner and beyond Owen. In the closing quarter Bangor took their corner tally to eleven and Andrew Price saved well from the hard working Jamie Roberts who could not quite match his two goal salvo of the first round win at Llangollen. Kyle Jones came on for Paul O'Neill on 81 mins and on 87 it was 4-0 as Chris McGinn struck the ball at Owen, chased the high rising rebound and calmly slotted home from eight yards, only to be roundly clattered by Terry Saynor for no apparent reason. Referee Lawlor might have politely requested his name, but to be fair the scorer got up and the game went on with Darren Owen saving well from the skilful Mike Walsh on the right - a fitting end to match played in good spirit throughout. |
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| 8 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor ran riot in the second half of this Welsh
Premiership match as the strain of playing with ten men finally told on
The Bluebirds. When City did slip their chains midfielder maestro
Leyton Maxwell led the charge with a hatrick which included a first
half penalty. It all started evenly enough, 18 year old centreback Kyle Jones did well to tackle Williams in the box before Clayton Blackmore chipped 'Sws keeper Mulliner but saw his effort land on the net. The tigerish Paul Friel enjoyed a busy afternoon along side the impressive Chris Priest and it was the Irishman who found Leyton Maxwell but his shot from the edge of the box was blocked. Caersws saw Chris Venables win a corner before Carl Lamb shot across goal for Bangor. However referee Phil Southall became a central figure on 16 minutes when he consulted his linesman - who commented that Ricky Evans had kicked out angrily - and the big midfielder was red carded. What the official failed to mention was that there was no one close to Evans nor was there any intent to catch an opponent. City quickly forged half chances against the ten men with Martin Beattie - a replacement for the injured Kev Scott - driving into the box but hesitating with the goal gaping, then Leyton Maxwell again saw his shot blocked from the left edge of the box. Mark Williams went close for the home side with a chip which Andrew Clarke stretched to hold over his head before Geraint Lewis hit the woodwork with a firm header. On the half hour City lost Paul Roberts who limped off to be replaced by Alex Hay. Bangor took the lead on the stroke of half time when Carl Lamb ran into the box and was clearly blocked and floored by Hugh Clarke. With Roberts off the field it fell to Layton Maxwell to step up and blast the ball wide of Mulliner and into the net. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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No sooner had the second half got under way than
Cty doubled their advantage. Alex Hay made the running
and picked out midfielder Michael Walsh
who slotted home confidently from the edge of the box.
The former Chester youngster further enhanced his growing reputation
with another fine performance. On 57 mins it was 3-0 as Caersws were caught by the pace of Alex Hay who was released by Chris Priest, chased down te right beyond Jehu and bent his run on goal to drive through Mulliner from fifteen yards. The home side were obviously struggling at the back as the pushed forward to try and notch what by now could only be a consolation goal. Former Shrewsbury Town apprentice Neville Thompson led the line well but was frequently out-numbered. On 72 mins Bangor reached four. The impressive - and visibly confident - Alex Hay raced down the right to drive across goal where the alert Layton Maxwell prodded home for his second. By now Priest and Friel were dominating the midfield and three minutes later Alex Hay notched his second as Carl Lamb turned provider on the right for a carbon copy finish from the former Tranmere front man. Peter Davenport then replaced Chris Priest and Carl Lamb with Mike Burke and Chris McGinn. Some ten minutes earlier Caersws sent on Ross Stephens and Neil Mitchell for Mark Williams and Geraint Lewis. With both teams continuing to attack more goals where sure to come. On 90 minutes Layton Maxwell completed his first hatrick for the club. Moments after Andrew Price has saved well the ball switched upfield for Michael Walsh to cap a fine afternoon with a low cross which the former Liverpool "apprentice" crashed past the helpless Mulliner. There was still time for "second yellow" dismissal for Colin Reynolds as City won a late penalty but Chris McGinn's low strike was clutched by the valiant Andy Mulliner who held his head high at the final whistle. A fantastic second win of the season for Bangor with the six goals just about worth an extra point for the goal difference value. |
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| 7 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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A double blast from Paul Roberts earned the points for
a Bangor side who trailed at the interval to an early strike from Carl
Owen. That
all three goals were scored by "old boys" says much about the nature of
this hard fought local derby. Port started the brighter of the two teams and Gareth Caughter saw his shot held by the agile Andrew Price after five minutes. One of the confrontations of the afternoon was Les Davies versus Clayton Blackmore and the big winger forced a freekick from the fullback on the quarter hour. Moments later the home side won a corner which was not properly cleared. Young Port defender Rhys Roberts sent in a left footed cross from the right, with City's defence appealing for offside, former blue Carl Owen coolly slid the ball past Price for the game's opener. Bangor tried to respond when Paul Roberts shot on target but Harvey held comfortably, then Carl Lamb tried a shot on the turn but missed the target from eight yards. Chris McGinn also tested Harvey before referee Evans yellow carded Garet Caughter for a two footed lunge in midfield. Port had more possession than City but a midfield featuring former blues fullback Richie Owen and centreback Ryan Davies perhaps lacked the creative edge to cause too many problems for the visitors defence. In the final minute of the half Kevin Scott fired a low cross which Carl Lamb met near post but turned his first time effort into the side netting. The whistle blew and the apprehensive Bangor contingent hoped for a better display after the break. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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On 48 mins their prayers were answered. Kev Scott sent a
left footed curler into the box and tempted Ryan Davies to lunge into
Carl Lamb for an obvious penalty, well
spotted by referee Evans. With no hesitation Paul Roberts stepped forward to lash the ball
past Harvey for a welcome leveller. Les Davies got the better of Clayton Blackmore for once but his low drive span beyond the far post, then Chris McGinn was yellow carded for a foul on older brother Ryan on half way. Carl Lamb just failed to get a touch on a inviting ball from the former Rhyl striker and the ball ran through to a relieved Harvey. If the first half lacked fire and passion the second didnt, with the blues evidently "up for it" and the travelling support raising their voices. From the middle Chris Priest emerged as an influential figure and Leyton Maxwell made his presence felt on the left. On the hour a couple more bookings, Les Davies and Paul Roberts, then a melee in the Port defence should have brought a second goal but the ball was eventually cleared. On 64 mins Alex Hay replaced Carl Lamb but it was City keeper Andrew Price who was drawn into action, saving well from Richie Owen. The match hinged on a mistimed tackle from Eifion Jones on 70 mins. Carl Owen ran into the box on the right of goal and with no one for support seemed to be bottled up. Unhappily the Llanrug based defender lunged in and caught Owen, leaving the official with every reason to award the spot kick. Midfielder Gareth Parry placed the ball to the right of Andrew Price but the agile youngster pushed his effort away for a corner to the delight - and relief - of the Bangor support. Manager Peter Davenport responded by promptly replacing Jones with Kyle Jones. City thought they had a winner on 75mins when Paul Roberts had the ball in the net but the referee had blown for a foul on the keeper. Both sides forced their fifth corner as time ran out, on 85 mins Port reached six, but Paul O'Neill stood tall and the young goalkeeper handled cleanly under pressure. Then the moment of truth. Mike Walsh won a header in midfield, Chris Priest played a one two with Paul Roberts who pounced on the return to round Lee Webber and fire past Richard Harvey from a tight angle on the left. Brilliant! Hard luck on Port but City fans were too busy celebrating to worry about that! |
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| 6 |
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LOOSEMORES CUP |
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