| MATCH REPORTS |
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SEASON 2006-07 |
| MATCH REPORT
ARCHIVE |
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| MATCH REPORTS |
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SEASON 2006-07 |
| 42 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor lost the final match of the season in
West
Wales as the curtain of mixed fortunes for the blues.Manager Steve Bleasdale, without the injured Paul O'Neill, moved Lee Webber to central defence and re-instated Martin Beattie to leftback. There was also a recall for Kyle Jacobs on the opposite side of the pitch. The home side though opted for a three man attack to take the game to the City, with O'Sullivan, Hicks and Christopher linking upfront. Former Aberystwyth midfielder Chris O'Sullivan set the pace with a pacey run the Bangor defence on the quarter hour but his cross into the box was snuffed out by Lee Webber and Peter Hoy. City best attacking option was England Under 20 International Mark Smyth who twice created openings but fired shots wide of the target and failed to trouble Lee Kendall. But it was No 11 Lee Hudgell who gave the hosts the lead on 26 mins when he capitalised on a rare mistake by Ian Havard who fluffed a clearance to allow the German born striker an easy finish. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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After the interval Bangor worked their way back into the game.
Manager Steve Bleasdale sent on Sion Edwards and Stuart White for
Ashley Stott and Steve Wynne within ten minutes of the restart. But Haverfordwest might have doubled their lead in the 68th minute. A corner from O’Sullivan which Hudgell lofted back from the far post, and Ian Havard did well to grasp Jack Christopher’s header. On 72 mins Bangor sent on one final replacement, Marc Adaggio for Marc Lloyd Williams who had failed to net his twentieth WP strike of the season. With five minutes to go a mistake by Lee Webber, under pressure from Gryke, allowed Lee Hudgell to net his second of the afternoon and settle the outcome. City came closest to what would have been a consolation goal in stoppage time when Mike Walsh forced a save from the acrobatic Kendall. County ended deserved winners and Bangor players might be relieved to be out of West Wales - for a few months at least! |
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| MiB |
A |
| 41 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor's
midweek trip to Stebonheath ended in a 3-0 defeat which flattered the
home side who nevertheless were worthy winners over the ninety minutes. City started brightly and might have gone ahead inside three minutes when Ashley Stott headed wide after Peter Hoy had guided Mike Walsh's freekick back across goal. Two minutes later leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams shot from 25 yards was fumbled by giant goalkeeper Duncan Roberts. On the quarter hour Peter Hoy was yellow carded for reasons unknown. Minutes later a cross from Lee Phillips was cleared off the Bangor line by rightback Steve Wynne. Lloyd Williams and Mingorance went close before, on the half hour Paul O'Neill headed over from a Bangor freekick. Bangor midfielder Kieran Killackey was working overtime in midfield to negate the influence of Mingorance. The ever dangerous Rhys Griffiths was denied by a combination of O'Neill and Ian Havard before Marc Smyth went closest to putting City ahead ten minutes before time. His powerfully hit twelve yard drive seemed destined for the back of the net but Roberts pulled off an outstanding save. This was to prove to be the turning point of the match as on 36 mins Andrew Mumford wrongfooted Mel McGinness to fire home from the edge of the box to open the scoring. On the stroke of half time Rhys Griffiths might have doubled the lead but he missed when well placed. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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Once again City started with purpose, Roberts keeping out Mike Walsh's
25 yard effort. Ten minutes after the restart the first change of
the evening was made with Sion Edwards coming on for Mel McGinness. With an hour gone Bangor thought they had a penalty. Ashley Stott cut in from the left and ran on goal but had his progress stopped by Wyn Thomas who clearly handled. Despite loud appeals Referee Morgan waved play on and the moment passed. Bangor boss Steve Bleasdale responded with a run out for Stuart White in place of Marc Lloyd Williams midway through the second half. Ian Havard saved well from Rhys Griffiths before the home side went 2-0 up on 77 mins. A corner into the Bangor box resulted in a scramble which saw both Paul O'Neill and Lee Webber deny the Reds but Rhys Griffiths finally saw a clear opening and scored from six yards. On 82 mins it was 3-0 as Jacob Mingorance reacted to a deflected clearance and placed the ball beyond Ian Havard. Bangor kept searching for some consolation and Mike Walsh saw his freekick clear the home crossbar in what was t be City's last chance of the evening. At the final whistle few would argue the home side deserved the win but the final scoreline was harsh on the Bangor camp who had left Farrar Road at one o clock that afternoon. |
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| MiB |
A
fussy display in some ways, but only one card shown to City defender
Peter Hoy. Bangor felt they had strong appeals for a penanlty
turned down in the second half. |
| 40 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Two
goals at the Farrar End in the opening five minutes sent City on their
way to an
emphatic win in the final home league match of the 2006-07 season. With Newtown hovering close to the relegation zone a goalless draw was never likely and on three minutes it was off the menu. Marc Lloyd Williams worked hard to keep the ball in on the left. His cross into the box caught most players and spectators offguard but not Ashley Stott who headed home from close range. The applause hard scarcely died down when City doubled their advantage. Mike Walsh delivered a free kick from the left which Newtown goalkeeper John Rowley failed to gather and Marc Lloyd Williams was on hand to slot the ball home from ten yards. Moments later Lloyd Williams nealry doubled his tally with a sharp turn and shot but the hardworking Showderry blocked. On the quarter hour mark Newtown No 9 Sean Butler chased a high ball into the blues box and needed lengthy treatment after a collision with Ian Havard. Two minutes later Kieran Killackey, who ran the midfield, shot wide from outside the box. Newtown were then forced to replace hamstring victim Matt Lewis with Dale Raven. On 25 mins Ashley Stott thought he had scored again but the offside flag was raised. On the half hour mark City forced a couple of corners before Newtown went close when Dale Raven shot over the crossbar after Bangor failed to clear a freekick. Seven minutes before the interval Christian Courtney lunged in on Paul O'Neill and was yellow carded by referee Kevin Parry. In the closing minutes Marc Lloyd Williams went close for Bangor whilst Courtney blazed over from fifteen yards Kevin Scott and Dale Raven had combined well on the left. City left the field two nil to the good in a half which had entertained on a sunny afternoon. |
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| HALF TIME 2-0 |
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With renewed vigour Bangor attacked from the restart and Ashley
Stott forced a good save from Rowley. Moments later Kyle Jacobs
charged
through the midfield but his shot lacked direction and went for a
goalkick.
Showderry went close for The Robins in what was by now an open,
end
to end affair. On 53 mins it was 3-0 as Marc Lloyd Williams calmly placed the ball beyond Rowley after good work from Ashley Stott who had stolen possession from right back Worton. City promptly replaced Lee Webber with Martin Beattie who took up his customary leftback position. Christian Courtney continued to trouble the Bangor defence and his 20 yarder flashed wide of goal. Ashley Stott cut in on goal from the left but - having worked the opening - fired tamely at Rowley. On the hour the visitors all but scored when the industrious Raven passed to Sean Butler whose lofted effort landed on the crossbar and bounced into the Farrar End. There was still enough menace in Newtown to keep Paul O'Neill and Peter Hoy busy. On 62 mins Newtown pulled a goal back when Christian Courtney beat Ian Havard with a twenty yard curler which earned applause from the home and away fans alike. It also served to provoke a speedy counter from Bangor which culminated in midfield dynamo Kieran Killackey heading over from six yards. On 65 mins Sion Edwards, who had earlier received the BCFCSA Player of The Season Award, replaced Kyle Jacobs with Steve Wynne slotting in at right back. Two minutes later it was 4-1. Steve Wynne pushed into midfield, won the ball and passed to Ashley Stott who found time and space to beat Rowley with a well placed shot from twelve yards out on the right. Kevin Scott, who enjoyed a fair afternoon on his return to Farrar Road, sent a freekick spinning over Ian Havard's crossbar. On 73 mins it was 5-1. A freekick just outside the box was lined up by Mike Walsh who found the back of the net with perfect placement. Mark Smyth and Sion Edwards combined well but Smyth's fired just over. On 76 mins the visitors narrowed the deficit to 5-2 when Nicky Jones latched onto a long throw from Kevin Scott. As time ran out Mel McGiinness replaced Mike Walsh, Christian Courtney went close a couple of times, but the final whistle confirmed a final home win to all but eclipse the opening 6-0 opening day destruction of Cefn Druids.. |
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| MiB |
M |
| 39 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Some 750 football followers, including a handful whose behaviour
besmirched the name of the host club, filed into Belle Vue for the
season's fourth and final meeting between these North Wales
rivals. They were entertained by four goals, one a penalty, a red
card all served up on a bumpy, bouncy pitch which scarcely encouraged
passing
football. The team sheets confirmed the absence of Lilywhites goalkeeper John Gann with former Bangor glove man Paul Whitfield stepping up from the reserves. City opted to start with Marco Adaggio upfront alongside Ashley Stott. Paul Roberts and Marc Lloyd Williams watching from the dugouts. The early exchanges saw Mark Connolly send a freekick wide before Steve Wynne sliced his shot wide from the right. However on nine minutes Lee Hunt put Rhyl ahead after City failed to clear a high corner on the right flicked on by Dave Cameron. City fought back with Marco Adaggio first shooting too close to Whitfield on the quarter hour and then firing wide from twenty yards after winning the ball off Brewerton. Bangor born Dave Cameron then headed off target before a neat combination on the right involving Kyle Jacobs and Steve Wynne culminated in loud penalty claims for a push on Paul O'Neill but referee Southall waved play on. On 23 minutes though City were level. Lee Webber found Marc Smyth in space on the left. His low curling cross picked out Steve Wynne whose calm finish wrong footed Whitfield and nestled in the corner of the net. The Lilywhites responded with another effort from the industrious Connolly, a fine save from Havard, which resulted in a series of corners for the home side. With thirty minutes gone the first - and overdue - yellow card of the day to Connall Murtagh for persisting foul play in the Rhyl midfield. Before the interval Rhyl forced a couple more corners to take their tally to seven whilst Bangor went close when Whitfield saved well from Kyle Jacobs whose thirty yard drive. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 |
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Ten minutes after the restart some woeful defensive play on the
Bangor right allowed Rhyl to take the lead which they were not to lose.
Former Buckley left back Chris Roberts was allowed time and space
to cross deep into the blues box for Mark
Connolly
to head home from six yards. Bangor promptly replaced Marco Adaggio with Sion Edwards who lined up alongside Ashley Stott. On the hour a cleanly hit crossfield ball from Kieran Killackey was headed goalwards by Peter Hoy but Whitfield gathered easily. On 66 mins George Horan was shown the red card for a lunging challenge on Sion Edwards but City failed to capitalise on the man advantage. Rhyl re-organised with Dave Cameron slotting in at centre half. A series of yellow cards and substitutions then broke the flow of the match. First Whitfield was shown the yellow card for timewasting, then Kyle Jacobs for a barge, then on 79 mins Marc Lloyd Williams replaced Ashley Stott. Minutes later the hard working Kieran Killackey made was for Stuart White who took up position on the right wing. Back to the football. With six minutes on the clock Marc Lloyd Williams tested Whitfield with a high curling effort which amost dropped under the crossbar into the net. Then Mike Walsh won a corner on the left but the referee whistled for a foul on the home 'keepr as the ball dropped in the box. Sion Edwards saw his goalbound shot blocked before Stuart White appeared to be elbowed in the face by Roberts. Four minutes into injury time Rhyl won a penalty which their outstanding player Mark Connolly converted. The match ended with Ian Havard needing treatment after he tried to blast clear a backpass whilst under pressure from Hunt. And that was it, after five minutes of injury time the whistle confirmed a fourth defeat of the season to the Lilywhites, to the dismay of the sizeable travelling contingent. |
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| MiB |
A
difficult match to referee in some ways, a poor pitch with
unpredictable bounce and a Rhyl side whose defensive style leads to
endless shoves and minor fouls. Southall probably let the home
side get away with too much too early which allowed them to settle into
the
customary style. He then may have over reacted to send Horan off
- unless something was said. |
| 38 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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A
battling display from a determined Bangor side who struggled to find
any rhythmn or fluency on a bouncy unpredictable
pitch swept dry by a crossfield wind. That the goal was a scrappy
deflected effort was perhaps about right. Attacking the car park end Bangor enjoyed the better of the first half with Ashley Stott firing off target and then Mark Smyth heading over following an inviting cross from Kyle Jacobs. On 22 minutes City had the lead. A freekick from Jacobs fell to Lee Webber and his right footed shot was deflected home with Caersws 'keeper Mulliner wrongfooted. The hosts nearly struck back when leftback Lloyd Grist raced down the left but he pulled his shot across goal and the chance had gone. On the half hour Ashley Stott cut in from the left and struck a clean low drive - but unfortunately could only find the side netting. The final action of a largely forgettable first half saw Andy Davies come close for Caersws before Mr Jones blew and sent both visting parties and the hundred or so brave souls watching scurrying for a hot cuppa |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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The Bluebirds came to life after the interval and might have
levelled the scores in the opening minutes with the impressive Chris
Venables
first sending a rasping drive jsut over the Bangor bar, and then side
footing wide when well placed. Andy Davies got in on the act and
hit the post after a run on the left. Midway through the second period City sent on substitutes Marco Adaggio and Sion Edwrads for Ashley Stott and Marc Lloyd Williams respectively. Bangor pushed forward and Caersws captain Andy Thomas was yellow carded for a clumsy challenge on Adaggio. Venables continued his one man crusade with three more efforts on goal. First Ian Havard clutched his thirty yard freekick, then the Ludlow keeper caught a second goalbound effort before Caersws' number seven blazed over from ten yards out. Steve Wynne worked his way into the Caersws box but sent his low drive at Mulliner. With some fifteen minutes remaining manager Steve Bleasdale sent on Mel McGinness for Kieran Killackey and the Holyhead youngster was quickly into the thick of the action. In a strange turn of events Bangor won a late penalty. Bluebirds captain Andy Thomas fell in front of his own goal and clearly scooped the ball away from goal. Referee Simon Jones rightly pointed to the spot but oddly opted against any kind of action against the verbally hyperactive defender. Unfortunately for City the home keeper specialises in penalty saves and Mark Smyth was disappointed with his effort. There were yellow cards for Marco Adaggio - for a wild challenge - and Mel McGinness for kicking the ball away, but City held on and picked up three away points. |
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| MiB |
This
was par for the course performance from Mr Jones who knows the rules
but doesnt know the game. Fussy, keen to take individuals on and of
course always right. Or is he.... |
| 37 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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This keenly contested local derby ended
in a home win
to the delight of the Bangor fans amongst the 550+ crowd and extended
City's recent impressive run. With Martin Beattie fit manager Steve Bleasdale continued with Lee Webber at leftback and allowed Peter Hoy the enviable task of shackling local lad Les Davies. It was the visitors who started the brighter with Carl Owen and Davies eager to impress against their former club - along with most of their team mates. However on the quarter hour it was the home fans who were cheering. Ashley Stott created a chance for Kyle Jacobs to cross. As Ryan Davies attemtpd to clear he was challenged by Marco Adaggio and the ball dropped for Kieran Killackey to fire home hsi first goal of the season from some 20 yards. With both sides looking to attack Richard Harvey had to be alert to save from Kyle Jacobs and eighteen year old Ashley Stott to keep the visitors in contention. Both Carl Owen and Les Davies went close for Port as young left winger Carl Jones impressed on his return to Farrar Road. Bangor has the stronger midfield with Mike Walsh again impressing alongside the no nonesense figure of goalscorer Kieran Killackey. With time running out Port drew level. Carl Jones embarked upon a mazey run down the right which he finished off with a rasping drive beyond the despairing Ian Havard. Not so long ago the 17 year was the outstanding player in the Wales Victory Shield side - lets hope this propels back in that direction. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 |
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City might have regained the lead soon after the restart but
Richard Harvey did well to keep out a low drive from Port old boy Marc
Lloyd
Williams. As play switched to the opposite end Les Davies went
close to edging the visitors ahead for the first time. On 66 mins though fussy referee Maldwyn Williams added to his somewhat erratic performance with a penalty for Bangor and a red card to young defender Rhys Roberts, whose fould on Mark Smyth had sparked the incident. City fans were rubbing their hand in expectation but Port goalkeeper Richard Harvey rose - or rather dived - to the challenge and his full length save kept Marc Lloyd Williams' effort out. The ten men of Port fought gallantly and Clayton Blackmore's set piece delviery cause Ian Havard some awkward moments. With fifteen minutes left City replaced Kieran Killackey and Marco Adaggio with Mark Cadwallader and Sion Edwards. Former Chester apprentice Cadwallder went close to marking his debut with a goal but his shot sped wide. Les Davies thought he had won it for Port but saw his fierce drive hit the woodwork. With time running out it seemed as if the ten men had held on for a draw. But Mark Smyth proved why he is so higly rated by the Farrar Road faithful with a superb run and long range drive beyond the despairing Harvey to claim all three points for the home side. Injury time had all but elapsed and no sooner had Referee Williams allowed the restart than both sides were leaving the field, the blue half to a well earned ovation from the Bangor support. |
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| MiB |
Maldwyn
made series of disappointing interventions in this match, and hardly
helped the game flow. Opinions vary over the penalty award and the red
card. |
| 36 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Two points dropped by Bangor in a match
dominated by
a strong wind blowing into The St Pauls End and marred by a whistle
happy interpretation of the laws by Mark Petch. City had the benefit of the wind in the first half and failed to capitalise, despite some erratic defending from the shaven headed Matthew Rees and his colleagues. After an uneventful opening quarter Bangor sprang to life when Lee Webber crossed from the left but Paul O'Neill saw his shot held by Kristian Edwards. The former Wrexham stopper could only stand and watch minutes later when Mike Walsh fought hard to win possession on the right. His low cross tempted a first time shot from Ashley Stott but this glanced wide of the near post. Port Talbot, despite being prone to a spot of time wasting, were very much in the game. A strong run from Bond forced a brave tackle from Paul O'Neill which gace the visitors their second corner of the match. The wind though was the dominant factor and Port Talbot gave away a couple of needless corners either side of half time. The second of these saw Marc Lloyd Williams' shot blocked at the foot of the post. Bangor forced a fifth corner which Mike Walsh crossed from the left. Kristian Rogers dropped the ball into his own net and Bangor fans began to celebrate, but Referee Petch decided otherwise and awarded a freekick for a mystery offence against the gloveman. The final action of the half was a speculative header from Chad Bond who nearly converted Scott Barrow's cross but instead saw the ball bounce into the Farrar End off the crossbar. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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The second period saw the visitors enjoy the benefit of the wind barging into the
St Pauls. They might have gone ahead on 50 mins when Dean Johnston got on the end of a deep cross but he headed wide. On the hour Bangor replaced Mark Smyth with Sion Edwards and the young left winger impressed with his running and crossing against the experienced DeVulgt. City worked an opening on the right after good interplay between Marc Lloyd Wiliams, Ashley Stott and Steve Wynne but the Llanberis lad sent his curling shot too wide. Rogers showed the intelligence to unleash a huge lon g throw down the left, Lee John pursued but Kieran Killackey chased back to snuff out the danger. Stocky Port Talbot midfielder Tom Wellington did well for the visitors along with powerful central defender Lee Surman. The Bangor defence, superbly marshalled by Paul O'Neill, dealt more confidently with high swirling crosses than the opposition had in the first period, which meant that Ian Havard was hardly rushed off his feet. Bangor ran a couple of more changes, Marc Lloyd Williams replaced by Marco Adaggio on 67 mins and then with ten minutes on the clock Stewart White enjoyed a home debut as he came on for Ashley Stott. There was still time for former Barry Town midfielder Richard French to fall in the area with one eye on the official, but nothing doing. City huffed and puffed but could not blow Talbot's house down. So the winning run is now an unbeaten run and the challenge for the manager remains to find the perfect blend in the weeks and matches that remain. |
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| MiB |
Mark
Petch was too fussy for my liking and seemed to
favour the visitors more often than not. But the visiting
supporters might have felt the same! The big decision was the
disallowed goal when he adjugded that Rogers had been fouled. It
seemed a poor
decision but TV cameras that night showed similar incidents from
English
League football with little contact and similar outcomes. Goalkeepers protected species? Seems that way. |
| 35 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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With young Mel McGinness involved in a youth cup match over the weekend
City offered a return to Mike Walsh but
otherwise kept faith with the side which won at Cwmbran. On the
bench there was a welcome return for Martin Beattie. Ian Havard was in the action as Aber won a number of corners early on and tipped an attempted chip from the diminutive Bari Morgan over the crossbar. City settled with Marc Lloyd Williams and Ashley Stott creating problems for Aber's ageing centrebacks, whilst Kieran Killackey was enjoying his battle with Bari Morgan in the thick of the action. Home 'keeper Richard Morgan was called upon to make an astonishing triple save as he twice denied Marc Lloyd Williams and kept an Ashley Stott effort in a rapid sequence of events. Former Buckley right winger Craig Jones was unsettling City on the left but acting left back Lee Webber halted his progress and before half time he had to be replaced by former Chester striker Andy Evans. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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Aberystwyth started strongly and might have grabbed the
initiative but Paul O'Neill and Ian Havard combined to block Stuart
Roberts'
effort as the former Swansea striker closed in on goal. Ten minutes after the interval City had the lead. Despite a foul on Marc Lloyd Williams by Bari Morgan referee played an advantage to allow Mike Walsh to run and shot on goal. Aber goalkeeper Richard Morgan could only palm the ball out for Ashley Stott to slot home despite the attention of Roberts. Aber ball winner Bari Morgan was yellow carded for another late challenge as his side strived to get a grip on procedings in midfield. On the hour Steve Wynne was booked for a foul whilst Gavin Cadwallder made his home debut for Aber as he replaced leftback Matt Roberts. With ten minutes remaining Marco Adaggio came on for Marc Lloyd Williams. Within five minutes remaining Bangor sealed the points. Mark Smyth cut in from the left, dribbling through three homedefender, to create a half chance for substitute Marco Adaggio to drive home from six yards for his second goal for the club. In the closing minutes Bangor sent o Sion Edwards and Stewart White for Ashley Stott and Kieran Killackey. In the closing minutes there was a scare for the visitors when Aber were awarded a penalty but Ian Havard kept his cool to save from Luke Sherborn and protect another hard earned clean sheet. A fourth straight win for City and a deserved one which gets the new month of to an excellent start. |
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| MiB |
P |
| 34 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor finished the month with a third straight win and put manager
Steve Bleasdale in the picture for the dreaded
Manager of The Month Award. But a heavy downpour just before kick
off almost saw the visitors back on the road home as referee Darren
Adie
surveyed the sodden pitch. Happily though the rain stayed away and both sides did their best in difficult circumstances. With Kevin Scott injured Lee Webber swtiched to leftback with Peter Hoy slotting in alongside Paul O'Neill. Mel McGinness started in midfield with Kieran Killackey whilst Mike Walsh made a welcome return to the squad via the bench. The earliest chance fell to Marc Lloyd Williams whose lofted effort got the better of Wesson in the Cwmbran goal but not the crossbar and fell to safety. Referee Aide yellow carded Geraint Goodridge and Mark Smyth in the opening half hour and was otherwise content to allow fo for the conditions for much of the game. City enjoyed the majority of possession with Kieran Killackey and Mel McGinness busy in the midfield. Former Coed Eva striker Martin Houston had the best chance of the half for Cwmbran but after a pacey run through the midield he failed to get any power in his shot. Half time no score and with both teams - and the officials - glad of a rest from the sapping conditions. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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Eight minutes after the restart Mike Walsh replaced Kieran
Killackey who had enjoyed his foray in the mud, then five minutes
later Marco Adaggio came on for Steve Wynne. Adaggio was quickly
involved
but Wesson did well to push his goalbound drive to safety. The winning goal - the only goal - came just after the hour mark. Left winger Mark Smyth dribbled towards goal from the left and was fouled on the edge of the Crows box. He stepped up to drill a low freekick straight at the home wall who lept in anticipation of a high ball. The low shot sped into the bottom corner giving Gareth Wesson no chance. Cwmbran responded with a double substitution on 66 mins, Sam Small and Ben Evans replacing Martin Houston and Geraint Goodridge. With time running out it was substitute Small who went close for the home side but Wesson was the busier of the two 'keepers and Bangor ran out deserved - if narrow - winners at the final whistle. |
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| MiB |
Probably
the biggest decision Darren Adie had to make was whether or not to play
the match at all. Given that both sides were keen and the ground
was soft, he did so, and officiated with some welcome common sense in
slippery conditions. |
| 33 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Trailing to a solitary Adam Dickinson
strike at the interval Bangor chanrged back to beat the Nomads 3-1
after Marc Lloyd Williams levelled from the spot minutes after the
restart. The first chance to City came after Kevin Scott released Mark Smyth on the left. His near post cross was turned goalwards Marc Lloyd Williams and blasted back from the right by Steve Wynne but Paul Smith was equal to the challenge. Connahs Quay stole the initiative with the in demand Dickonson involved. First Craig Garside passed to the former Tranmere reserve whose early shot hit the post. Then his left footed curler drew a fine full length save from City keeper Ian Havard at his left post. The emerging centre back partnership of Paul O'Neill and Lee Webber was to the fore as The Nomads pushed for a break through, with Kyle Jacobs and Kevin Scott also in the thick of the action. Referee Evans might have applied a sterner approach to some heavy challenges from Craig Hutchinson as City struggled to find their feet. Mutton and Sargeant went close for the visitors. The opening goal of the game came ten minutes before the break. Tommy Mutton ran down the right and into the box with Lee Webber in close pursuit. The big defender fell and with Bangor fans expecting a free kick Mutton played on to pick out Christian Sargeant in front of goal. His shot was blocked but Adam Dickinson was on hand to finish from close range from the left. Bangor stirred before the interval with Marc Lloyd Williams and Mark Smyth going close but the Nomads went off a goal to the good and deservedly so. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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Two minutes into the second half Bangor were level. Ashley
Stott charged into the Nomads box and Gary Pinch lunged in to half his
progress but only succeeded in tripping the teenage striker.
Penalty clearly signalled by referee Lee Evans. Up stepped
leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams to
send the goalkeeper the wrong way for his 20th goal of the season. Ten minutes into the second period sixteen year old Mel McGinness replaced James Scales in midfield. On 62 mins Bangor took the lead. Lee Webber broke up an attack on the edge of the blues box and picked out Mark Smyth who raced beyond two Nomads defenders on half way, showed too much pace for the labouring Chris Williams and slotted home wide of Paul Smith from fifteen yards. Neville Powell responed with a double change, Dave Swannick and recent signing Chris Melia on for Williams and Sargeant. Moments later former Flint striker Phil Molyneux replaced Craig Garside. It made little difference with young McGinness and the brusque Kieran Killackey dominant. Bangor did suffer a setback though with ten minutes on the clock when Kevin Scott limped off to be replaced by Tony Cann, making his blues debut against his old team. Cann settled alongside Paul O'Neill in central defence with the versatile Webber moving to leftback. Debutant striker Melia went close for the visitors but it was Bangor who held sway and deservedly clinched the points with a late goal from the impressive Stott. The goal owed much to Kieran Killackey who crossed from the right but it was a great finish from Ashley Stott who controlled the high ball and lashed home left footed to complete the scoring and sent the visitors home empty handed. |
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| MiB |
Lee
Evans awarded Bangor what seemed a generous penalty
and was lenient in the extreme on the ever late Craig Hutchinson - he
must be a bus driver - but overall this was a reasonable performance
when
compared with others seen at Farrar Road this season. |
| 32 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Druids fans were openly dismayed to see Marc Lloyd Williams line up
alongside Ashley Stott whilst the travelling blues watched the midfield
combination of Kieran Killackey and newcomer James Scales with interest. Bangor forced the first opening when a long throw from Kevin Scott was collected on the right by Steve Wynne. His cross was headed goalwards by Lee Webber but St Martins based goalkeeper Carl Edwards saved comfortably. Alex Hughes and Steve Watkin shot wide from distance as the home side countered, the pitch became firmer as the frost settled. Midfielder duo James Scales and Kieran Killackey gradually gained control in midfield, Scales showing some deft touches and incisive passes, Killackey abrasive and tireless as usual. Marc Lloyd Williams went close to adding to his Plaskynaston tally when he caught Wayne Phillips and James Taylor napping, turned on goal and fired for the near post. Edwards did well to concede a corner which Roberts cleared. A fifth Bangor corner yielded a clean header from Ashley Stott but he could not hit the target. The goal came on the stroke of half time. With no obvious danger Ashley Stott controlled the ball on the left, cut inside and fired home right footed with Carl Edwards unable to react. There was no time for the home side to respond and the visiting party enjoyed the half time refreshments more than the locals. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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|
The second half was barely three minutes old when debutant Scales
retired to be replaced by Mel McGinness the sixteen year old slotting
alongside Kieran Killackey. As ever the Holyhead youngster, who
had represented Welsh Colleges the night before at Telford, gave a
calm, sure footed performance. Mark Hughes' son Alex lashed wide with a left footed effort but Bangor's defence, well marshalled by Lee Webber and captain Paul O'Neill, stood firm. On 70 minutes they could rest more easily with a 2-0 lead. The irrepresible Ashley Stott raced down the left, got the better of former Wrexham defender Wayne Phillips, and crossed low across the box. Marc Lloyd Williams had already moved in for the kill and could not alter course on the hardening surface but Steve Wynne was on hand to confidently beat Edwards from six yards. On 77 mins winger Sion Edward replaced Marc Lloyd Williams as the manager appeared to shut up shop. With ten minutes to go it was all over as Bangor eased to a 3-0 lead with the former Everton man again in the thick of the action. Steve Wynne won the ball on half way, charged directly at goal with Cefn defence expecting a pass which came at the last moment - on the edge of the box - into the path of Mark Smyth whose left footed curler slid wide of Edwards and into the net. In the closing minutes seventeen year old Anthony Wilson - another who had played at Telford the night before - came on for Steve Wynne. Bangor remained untroubled and thoroughly deserved the clean sheet, the goals and the three points. |
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|
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|
| MiB |
A decent display from Referee Hutchinson who officiated sensibly in increasinly difficult conditions. He made sparing use of his cards and generally enabled an entertaining match on a freezing night. |
| 31 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
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Leading at half time thanks to a debut
goal from
Marco Adaggio, City crashed to a 3-1 defeat as the visitors hit three
goals in six second half minutes. With leading marksman Marc Lloyd Williams once again left on the bench Marco Adaggio made his Bangor debut alongside Paul Hopkins in a youthful attack. There was a recall for captain Paul O'Neill alongside Lee Webber with Peter Hoy suspended. Carmarthen forged the first opening when lanky striker Kaid Mohammed's header was saved by Ian Havard. On the quarter hour Lee Webber rose above the visitors defence but hsis downward header was superbly saved by Neil Thomas. The visitors created another clean opening when Deryn Brace crossed but Danny Thomas headed over. Burly defender Mark Dodds - who used to play upfront - sliced wide from the edge of the Bangor box after a good passing move. Young debutant Marco Adaggio sent Paul Hopkins clear on the left but his shot was off target. Carmarthen won their first corner of the afternoon - two more quickly followed - and mdfielder Paul Fowler forced a tremendous one handed save from Ian Havard. City's clearest chance of the opening half hour. Steve Wynne's cross from the right fell to Paul Hopkins whose close range header span off target, Ten minutes before the break Webber reacted bravely to concede another corner which ended in a goalline clearance by Adaggio as City struggled to clear. Then in the final minute the opening goal. Paul Hopkins gathered the ball on the right, his cross shot just eluded Thomas and Marco Adaggio slid in at the far post to net from close range. The half time whistle blew and the home side left the field with a welcome lead. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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|
The half time interval saw Mel McGinness replace Ricky Evans who
had been laid low by flu. Ten minutes after the interval Bangor built up some pressure, forced three corners in quick succession, but ended up indebted to rightback Kyle Jacobs who broke up a Carmarthen counter attack on the half way line. Twenty minutes into the second half both sides made changes. Marc Lloyd Williams came on for Paul Hopkins and then Colin Loss replaced Tom Ramasut in the visitors midfield. Moments later Mark Smythe came on in place of Steve Wynne who been effective on the right. Within ten minutes Bangor were 3-1 down. The first goal came from Kaid Mohammed who had time to control and turn before sending a low drive past the diving Ian Havard from fifteen yards. Then Nathan Cotterrall converted a penalty awarded against Mel McGinness by the linesman on the High Street side. The journeyman winger found space on the left wing to beat Ian Havard from 20 yards, with a wicked bounce getting the better of Paul O'Neill. Bangor tried to fight back, young Marco Adaggio passed to Marc Lloyd Williams but his floated effort cleared the crossbar. Then Mark Smythe found Sion Edwards but his right footer wobbled over. The visitors thought they had added a fourth but the young linesman spared City's blushes despite the best efforts of Kaid Mohammed and substitute Mattie Davies. That was the final meaningful action and referee Brian Lawler blew to signal the end of a worrying home defeat for the Bangor faithful. |
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|
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|
| MiB |
Brian
Lawler is off my Christmas card list thesedays but he had little to do
with the self destruction which undid Bangor in six manic second half
minutes at Farrar Road. |
| 30 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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With Marc Lloyd Williams laid low by flu there was a recall upfront for
Ashley Stott whilst young winger Mike Parker returned on the right.
Bangor kicked off uphill on the Maesydre slope which denied the home side their customary second half advantage. Throw in a swirling wind, occasional shower of rain and heavy surface and in the circumstances both teams contributed fully to an entertaining ninety minutes. And despite two red cards this was never a dirty game. It was a Welshpool player who went close on ten minutes but Gerard McGuigan was alert to prevent Ceri James' wayward header from gifting Bangor a lead from a Kev Scott corner. City won an corner and the former Caernarfon 'keeper was at full stretch to knock the ball away from midfielder Mike Walsh on the penalty spot. After Bangor had a freekick blocked, Welshpool raced upfield where Steve Rogers turned and fired cleanly quickly but sent his short wide of the righthand post. Kevin Scott and Sion Edwards combined well on the left but the young winger saw his low drive spin across goal with no striker able to follow in. Just before the break Ceri James and Mike Thompson were yellow carded for late challenges. Referee Lee Evans blew to bring to an end a goalless first half which had been evenly contested and enjoyed by the local school children present - despite the odd heavy shower. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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|
With spectactors moving into position around the
ground and some reclaiming their seats, the home side took the
lead. A corner from the right found Calvin
Davies free on the edge of the box
and his clean first time strike flew past Ian Havard and into the net
before anyone could move. Bangor responded with a strong run by Mike Parker down the right. His cross curled just behind Ashley Stott whose header flew off target. On the hour the first red card. The burly Ceri James lunged into a tackle on City's promising winger Sion Edwards, referee Evans produced a "second yellow" card followed by red to the dismay of the Welshpool bench who had a front row view of the incident. City replaced Mike Parker with Marc Smyth. City pushed for an equaliser and when a corner was half cleared Kyle Jacobs forced a good save from McGuigan with a well struck thirty yard effort. Peter Hoy became the second player to be sent from the field on 66 mins. He won the ball in midfield and ran towards the Welshpool goal but lost control of the ball which ran to Geraint Windsor. Hoy slid in to regain possession but caught Windsor who fell heavily and the official harshly reached for his red card. Paul O'Neill replaced Ashley Stott, slotting in alongside Lee Webber in the blues defence. Substitute Marc Smyth found space on the right but his cross was just to firmly hit for Ashley Stott despite his despairing back post slide. However with ten minutes left the scores were level. A throw in from the right hurled into the box by Kev Scott, headed on by Ricky Evans and crashed home by Sion Edwards from eight yards. In the closing minutes both sides pushed for the win. Marc Smyth went closest for Bangor but the real star at the death was Ian Havard who saved well fromm Calvin Davies and Aaron Stokoe. But "Frosty" could only stand and watch as one final chance fell to Steve Rogers - but the former Oswestry striker steered his shot wide. |
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|
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|
| MiB |
A
late replacement for Paul Thomas, referee Evans always seems
inconsistent and inprecitable. James probably had
to go for a second rash challenge, but Peter Hoy was harshly dealt
with - sadly in that sense it was predictable - to even things out. |
| 29 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor were well beaten by relegation haunted Airbus who opened up a
four point gap on bottom placed Caernarfon. In doing so they
broke a run of eight straight defeats. With Marc Lloyd Williams watching from the bench recent signings Paul Hopkins and Marc Smyth formed the Bangor attack whilst Peter Hoy slotted into midfield in place of Mike Walsh who was injured. Paul O'Neill made a welcome return alongside Lee Webber. Playing with the benefit of a swirling wind the home side were guilty of overhitting the ball but former Caernarfon midfielder Leigh Williams managed a shot from twenty yards which veered just off target. On twenty minutes Lee Webber fired wide for Bangor from a similar distance with the visitors winning a couple of corners from the left which came to nothing. On the half hour Airbus had the lead. Darren Williams lashed a rising shot goalwards from the left. The ball seemed to take a deflection and arch over Ian Havard into the roof the Bangor net. Ricky Evans and Peter Hoy both went close in an immediate bid for an equaliser but it was Ian Havard who was called upon to tip another well struck effort from goalscorer Williams over his crossbar. City's best chance came five minutes before the break. Ricky Evans slid a freekick to Kevin Scott whose deep cross found Paul O'Neill beyond the back post. His header travelled across the face of the goal and out of play wide of the upright. There was a feeling amongst the travelling blues fans that a single goal disadvantage would not amount to much given the strong wind, all to play for still. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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|
It has to be said that the wind subsided during half time,
dwindled during the second period and by the final whistle
was little more than a breeze. However it was behind Bangor and in the opening minutes Ricky Evans sent a freekick narrowly wide from the left. But it was Airbus who struck to settle the game with two goals in three minutes. First left winger Neil Wynne, signed from Mynydd Isa during the week, crashed home from the left after a deep cross from Ryan Edwards to make it 2-0 on 54 minutes. Then on 57 minutes it was 3-0 and all over. Centre forward James MacIntosh latched onto a loose ball on the left to drive low beyond the despairing Ian Havard. Manager Steve Bleasdale responded with a double subsitution which saw leading goalscorers Ashley Stott and Marc Lloyd Williams replace Paul O'Neill and Mark Smyth. On 65 minutes is was 4-0 to the disbelief of the Bangor camp. Fit again winger Dave Hughes side stepped through the City defence to score from eight yards with some aplomb. Minutes later Mel McGinness replaced Kyle Jacobs. Marc Lloyd Williams went close a couple of times, once firing the ball into the side-netting stanction and then forcing a good save from the agile McGee. On 75 minutes City finally pulled a goal back after Rayn Edwards tripped Paul Hopkins as he ran in the box. Up stepped Marc Lloyd Williams to convert the penalty with ease and raise the spirits of the deflated Bangor support. But a 4-1 there was to be no unlikely comeback and The Planemakers celebrated a welcome victory as referee Jones blew the final whistle. |
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|
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|
| MiB |
Amazing
perhaps, but no gripes with referee Jones! |
| 28 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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|
After a goalless first half the visitors
duly collected all three points with goals from Alfie Carter and
wingback Martyn Naylor. Playing in an unfamiliar orange strip the full timers created chances from start to finish and drew a man of the match performance from debutant blues keeper Dimitri Brinias who pulled off a string of fine saves but was undone at the death by Naylor's freekick. Former Cemaes Bay striker John Toner was central to much of what happened and his first incisive moment created a clear chance for Steve Beck but the little midfielder saw Brinias pull off a diving save with Sion Edwards completing the clearance. Moments later Toner cut in from the right touchline but again Brinias was equal to the challenge with a low save at his near post. Gangly Greg Stones and Alfie Carter forged an opening for Beck on the quarter hour but he fired wide, Brinias saved easily from Beck who then then had a goalbound effort blocked by Peter Hoy's brave lunge. On the half hour the keeper had a rush of blood as he went to collect Naylor's booming freekick. Stones rose first but luckily his flick drifted wide of the upright. Minutes later City thought they had the lead. Kyle Jacobs picked out leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams who netted from fifteen yards. However Saints 'keeper Doherty had already spotted the linesman's intervention and referee John duly awarded a freekick. On the stroke of half time Alfie Carter ran clear on the right but his final touch on the edge of the box enabled the eager Brinias to slide in and snuff out the danger. Half time and no goals, some reward for a gutsy performance from a largely outplayed Bangor side. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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|
Three minutes after the interval Peter Hoy was yellow
carded for an innocuous challenge on the theatrical Naylor. Up
stepped John Leah with a rising 30 yard freekick which rattled
the crossbar with Brinias for once beaten. City had one moment of hope in the second period when Ashley Stott's collected Kev Scott's throw, passed to Kyle Jacobs but his drive flew over the visitors bar without troubling Doherty. Manager Steve Bleasdale replaced right sided Steve Wynne with Mel McGinness, but finally the orange shirted visitors had the lead on 69 mins. Greg Stones picked out Alfie Carter on the left edge of the city box and his left footed drive got the better of Kyle Jacobs and goalkeeper Brinias. Brinias was busy again saving at the feet of John Toner and goalscorer Carter fired into the side netting from a position similar to the one he had scored from moments earlier. But the final action of the match came on 88 minutes. Kevin Scott grappled with Stones on the right, freekick ten yards short of the corner flag. Martyn Naylor struck the ball firmly over Brinias and celebrated as the ball nestled in the far corner of the net. Game over. City won a number of freekicks and corners in the closing stages but could not muster a clear cut effort on goal and the full timers duly left with all three points. |
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|
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|
| MiB |
Not
the toughest of assignments for Dean John, he probably has a more
uncomfortable experience driving the 200+ round trip along those
winding roads... |
| 27 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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|
|
An impressive display from Canaries
'keeper
Paul Pritchard stopped City in their tracks whilst blues fans
were also grateful to Ian Havard for some important saves. Playing with his knee heavily strapped, former England Under 21 striker Paul Hopkins carved the first opening with a perfectly placed through ball but Marc Lloyd Williams just failed to make contact. Ian Havard then saved cleanly from Kieran Quinn before Pritchard got in on the act with a high catch from Steve Wynne's cross. The dangerous Chris Jones raced on goal but saw his shot deflected for a Caernarfon corner which Ricky Evans headed out but the second effort was cleared. Evans was the in the thick of things with a powerful strike which was blocked. Paul Hopkins pounced on the rebound but his shot suffered the same fate, as did Sion Edwards, as the visitors somehow survived. Leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams turned and shot goalwards from 30 yards but saw his effort swerve wide of the left upright. Returning blue Layton Maxwell ran down the middle and forced a good save from Ian Havard whose parry ran to Chris Jones. He fired across goal just beyond the sliding Darren Wright who, moment s later, forced another good save from Ian Havard. City suffered a setback on 32 minutes when Steve Wynne limped off to be replaced by 19 year old Mike Parker who took over his wide right berth. Referee Maldwyn Williams then yellow carded Lee Webber despite failing to penalise similar challenges on Mike Walsh and Steve Wynne. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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|
Attacking the St Pauls End and with the benefit of
a slight breeze, City might have gone behind five minutes after the
restart when Kyle Jacobs allowed Darren Wright to slip past him but
the ever alert Peter Hoy snuffed out the danger. Caernarfon won
a fourth corner before Mike Walsh ran on goal and unleashed a 25 yarder
which Pritchard saved. City promptly replaced Paul Hopkins with Ashley Stott who joined Marc Lloyd Williams in attack. Stott quickly joined the action when Ian Havard sent a huge clearance upfield and the young striker forced another good save from the former Glantraeth custodian. Mike Parker won the ball on the right edge of the box but Mike Walsh was again denied by Pritchard who pushed over for a corner. Sion Edwards delivered deep and Ben Heath cleared Lee Webber's goalbound header off the line. Ricky Evans charged through the midfield and hammered the ball on target, Jon Newell and Eifion Jones stood firm and Sion Edwards blazed over. Sion Edwards then cut inside and saw his shot turned away for a corner - City's fifth - which Mike Walsh poked wide at the near post. Caernarfon were on the backfoot but dangerous on the break, none more so than right winger Chris Jones who took advantage of a dubious offside call to drive at the near post but Ian Havard was quick to dive low and concede a corner. Again Ricky Evans battled his way through the midfield and unleashed a thunderbolt which Pritchard turned away and Stott missed the target from the left. Caernarfon sent on John Rowley for Darren Wright who had run himself out for the visitors, Chris Jones again caused trouble on the right and won his side a fifth corner. Ashley Stott crossed from the left, Lee Webber picked out Marc Lloyd Williams whose shot was blocked. Ricky Evans seized on the lose ball but hammered his effort wide. Edwards and Lloyd Williams again caused problems on the left but Mike Walsh saw his follow up shot speed wide. Jones went close for Caernarfon before Ricky Evans saw his freekick blocked and chased in but saw his second effort closed down by Newell. Bangor's final clear chance fell to Marc Lloyd Williams but his lifted over from eigth yards, both sides forced late corners, the referee added one minute, and that was that. |
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|
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|
| MiB |
Maldwyn
Williams did let this game flow and had no obvious influence on the
outcome. |
| 26 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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|
|
A Boxing Day win at The Oval features
high on most Bangor fans wish. A Lee Webber header obliged and
the blue support in the 1000 plus crowd went home happy. With Ricky Evans suspended Bangor pushed Kyle Jacobs into midfield alongside Mike Walsh, recent signing Steve Wynne slotting in at right back with fellow newcomer Mike Parker ahead of him on the right wing. But it was Caernarfon who forced the early pace with manager Steve O'Shaughnessy barking out commands from the sideline. First Chris Jones and then John Rowley went close in the opening quarter hour which also yielded three corners. Peter Hoy and Lee Webber were at full stretch to keep the Canaries at bay. City had to wait until the half hour mark for a clear chance. Ashley Stott found Marc Lloyd Williams whose run on goal was stopped short by Paul Pritchard who ran out of his box to block with his body. Moments later one Bangor corner led to another which in turn saw Sion Edwards' cross headed over by Ashley Stott from eight yards. Bangor were now attacking with more conviction, Peter Hoy even went for an overhead kick, before Mike Walsh blazed over from Marc Lloyd Williams' lay off. Sion Edwards was flattened by Chris Jones who last week opted to stay in yellow in green rather than trun blue. Referee Kevin Parry waved the yellow plastic for the first time. With time running out Mike Parker ran across field, Mike Walsh passed to Sion Edwards but his shot flew over. Honours even following a first half which Caernarfon started - but Bangor - the stronger. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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|
The second half opened with John Rowley forcing a sharp save
from Ian Havard and moments later John Newell headed wide. Five minutes
after the interval Tommy Harrison, impressive against his old club, saw
his header cleared off the line by Steve Wynne. City responded with a near post cross from Martin Beattie which Ashley Stott headed wide. This was just about his last contribution before making way for debutant Paul Hopkins on 56 mins. He quickly ran through on the left, slid the ball into the net, but was ruled offside. Unhappily the 20 year old England Under cap was clattered early on by Newell and never fully recovered. Bangor were building up steam and Marc Lloyd Williams looked odds on to score but Paul Pritchard saved well. Two more half chances came and went, Hopkins and Sion Edwards off target, before on 71 minutes one debutant made way for another in the form of Mark Smyth (for Paul Hopkins) who promptly fired over with an early chance. The marauding Sion Edwards again unsettled Ian Owen, the ball ran to Lloyd Williams, but Quinn slid in bravely to block as the league's record scorer seemed set to add to his 250 plus tally. Corner. Sion Edwards stode over and crossed invitingly for Lee Webber whose thunderous header left Pritchard without a prayer. Both sides used up their quota of subs but it was a starter, Tommy Harrison, whose low rasping drive went closest to beating Ian Havard, but sped just wide of the right hand post. The biggest impact made by Gerard Maloney was to hack at Marc Lloyd Williams and attract a yellow card. The final whistle came after a full five minutes of added time, a second successive win for manager Steve Bleasdale, and noisy celebrations for the hundreds of blues. |
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|
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|
| MiB |
A
decent performance by Referee Parry in the competitive atmosphere of a
local derby. A bit lenient perhaps but nothing to moan too much
about! |
| 25 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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|
|
Acrobatic
saves from extrovert goalkeeper Lee Kendall punctuated this game and
kept the visitors hopes alive longer than they deserved. The first came on 90 seconds when Ricky Evans, who was immense, went close to punishing Ryan Durham for a trip on Mike Walsh. Kendall pushed that goalbound effort over the bar - and did so again and again. Experienced County midfielder Jon Coates fired over from outside the box before Mike Walsh saw his low drive deflect off Gareth Elliot for a third Bangor corner inside ten minutes. After twenty minutes Walsh again went close before Lee Hudgell cleared off the line from Marc Lloyd Williams. Left winger Sion Edwards was causing havoc and it was no surprise that of the five corners won in the opening 25 mins four came from that side. One charge down the flank saw the former Wrexham winger cross low and Lloyd Williams slide the bal into the side netting, supporters in the mainstand thought it was the opening goal. That arrived on 28 minutes. Lee Webber won a crunching tackle on the half way line and the ball ran through to Marc Lloyd Williams who held off Elliot to beat Kendall from close range. County responded with a corner won on the right but moment later Durham was in the thick of the action again with a clean challenge to deny the Llanberis striker his second. Chris O'Sullivan unsettled City's defence with a swaying run which created a half chance of Hudgell, but under pressure from debutant Steve Wynne he shot lacked power and Ian Havard pulled of a low save. Minutes later left back Wayne Jones crossed just behind Jack Christopher and his header landed on the roof of the net. At half time City held a 1-0 advantage and Marc Lloyd Williams was on 249 WP goals. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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|
It didnt take long for him to reach 250! On 48 mins Ashley
Stott released Sion Edwards down the left, he ran to the edge of the
box and squared the
ball for Marc Lloyd Williams to flick the
ball home at the near post. County seemed all at sea and soon
after
a sixth corner (again on the left) Bangor went 3-0 up. A deep cross from Martin Beattie, after approach play from Sion Edwards, found Steve Wynne in the box. His attempted overhead kick was pounced upon by Marc Lloyd Williams who clamly slotted the ball home between two defender and beyond the despairing Kendall to complete his hatrick on 53 minutes. Three minutes later it was 4-0 and what was probably the goal of the game. Gathering the ball on the edge of his own box rightback Kyle Jacobs powered fifty yards, box to box, passed to Ashley Stott on his right and duly slotted the return pass home from close range for his first WP goal for the blues. Bangor withdrew Steve Wynne to allow Michael Parker to make his debut, moments later Jody Jenkins replaced Jack Christopher. But it was City who held sway and seemed to for a bigger advantage when Rikcy Evans charged through the midfield and unleashed a booming drive on goal which Kendall again palmed away for a corner. Following Bangor's eighth corner kick Tom Sparey replaced Mike Walsh and the young Presteigne defender nearly caught his goalkeeper Ian Havard napping with a back header which Jody Jenkins all but intercepted. On 72 minutes County had a goal back, with red faces all round. What should have been a routine save by Ian Havard from a clean but harmless strike from Jenkins. The young 'keeper bungled the catch and Tim Hicks was on hand to stab home from two inches! In the time left Bangor took their corner tally to ten, Sion Edwards continued his personal torment down the left with one rising drive which just cleared the visitors crossbar. There were some fine individual performances for Bangor, including Peter Hoy and Lee Webber at the back, Ricky Evans and Mike Walsh in midfield and the bloke who scored the hatrick. But eight out ten corners cant be wrong, aided by crosses and assists, Sion Edwards again Man of The Match and the best orthodox left winger seen at Farrar Road since Lee Noble. |
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|
||||
|
| MiB |
Steve
Hames was
a touch inconsistent but did not seem to favour either side. He
was
not petty and dealt calmly with the brainless incident involving Lee
Kendall
as the players left the field. |
| 24 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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|
|
Bangor lost a game they could have one
with more a little more composure in front of goal in the opening
minutes. But credit should go to a determined Newtown side who won their second match in a row as they condemned City to a third successive defeat. It all started promisingly enough with Sion Edwrads denied by Rob Williams and Ashley Stott going close from a Peter Hoy long throw. Edwards also fired over from an early corner as City appeared to get to grip with the heavy pitch ahead of the hosts. However Matthew Lewis shot wide for The Robins to encourage the home support before Lee Webber made a brave block tackle to deny Justin Wickham from eight yards. Lone strike Marc Lloyd Williams won a corner for Bangor but moments later former Blacon midfielder Alan Hooley blazed over the Bangor crossbar. Brian Showderry defended well to deny Stott as Bangor went close. Referee Southall yellow carded Sion Edwards for kicking the ball away before teenage fullback Craig Williams was replaced by Damien Daniels. Ricky Evans was enjoying a fine first half and his bullocking run into the box resulted in fifth corner half cleared to Sion Edwards who fired over. Showderry and Williams forged a strong defensive partnership for the home side. Gareth Hughes was yellow carded for a foul on the lively Kitchen, Newtown won a couple of corners, but the first half ended with Ricky Evans charging goalwards but firing over. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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|
Again Bangor were first out of the blocks winning a couple more
corners but on 53 minutes the big moment as a linesman's decision
changed the shape of the game. Dale Raven ran across the edge of
the box and came into contact with leftback Kevin Scott. The
little winger fell, the referee watched and the linesman flagged.
Penalty. Harsh it has to be
said but duly converted by Glenn Tolley. On the hour Paul Roberts came on for Ashley Stott and Bangor switched from 4-5-1 to a more familiar 4-4-2 with leading scorer Lloyd Williams clearly glad of the company. It nearly paid instant dividends as a Kev Scott long throw was helped on by Ricky Evans but Marc Lloyd Williams was leaning away from goal and his header barely troubled David Jones. Midway through the second half Glenn Tolley reacted angrily to a shirt pull from Kev Scott and the two exchanged blows. Referee Southall was right to red card the pair but chose to ignore Newtown No 7 Gareth Hughes who ran into the middle of the conflict - uninvited - and might have expected to join them in the walk off. On 81 minutes left peg Alan Hooley was alert at the back post to crash home a cross from the right to put the home side 2-0 ahead. Young Ben Kitchen responded with a deflected strike which Jones held. On 84 minutes a Peter Hoy throw found its way to Paul Roberts who headed home and gave the visitors a glimmer of hope but it fizzled out despite the late introduction of Tom Sparey for Mel McGinness. A couple of Newtown players were yellow carded for kicking the ball away but they were all smiles at the final whistle with a deserved win. |
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|
||||
|
| MiB |
Phil
Southall made a tough call on the penalty which put Newtown ahead but
was correct
with his red card decision and consistently harsh on yellow cards for
kicking the ball away. City fans may be unlikely to send the Port
Talbot official a Christmas card but can have few genuine complaints
about his perfromance here. |
| 23 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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|
|
Trailing 2-0
at half time Bangor eventually lost 3-1 to a determined and hard
working Rhyl
side who moved to the top of the table. Playing into the wind in the first half, City lost largely because their new look defence was uncertain when certainty was needed and prone to mistakes at what turned out to be vital moments. And yes there were due concerns over the failure of English Premier League linesman Ceri James whose lenient refereeing suited the more aggressive visitors. Indecision played a big part in the opening goal on eleven minutes when Connall Murtagh accepted a gifted opportunity to rifle the ball into the roof of the net after City might have cleared on more than one occasion. The same uncertainty resurfaced moments later but Gareth Wilson fired over from ten yards. Midway through the half Bangor exherted some pressure, forced three corners with Ricky Evans and the outstanding Sion Edwards going close. At one point City fans celebrated a "goal" but an offside flag cut that short. On the half hour the visitors doubled their advantage. A Mark Connolly freekick from the left was headed home from close range by Andy Moran with Bangor's new look defence caught offguard. The home side failed to build up much rhythm or fluency and were hindered by Mr Richards' refusal to clamp down on a stream of fouls on Sion Edwards by Connolly and Wilson. A fifth Bangor came to nothing but a sixth saw Sion Edward unsettle rightback Connolly but his cross was headed out of play by Horan. Left wingers Edwards fired over from the seventh kick. The visitors forced a couple of corner kicks of their own but with the cue at the teahut forming, a late surge brought reward. Ricky Evans delivered an inviting freekick from the right which Ashley Stott got to first and headed home to give the blues a huge lift on the stroke of half time. |
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| HALF TIME 1-2 |
||||
|
Attacking
the St Pauls End City might have levelled within a minute. Paul
Roberts slid Sion Edwards in on the left but his rising drive cleared
the
crossbar. On 47 minutes the talkative Gareth Wilson, who had
conceded numerous freekicks but not been booked, was replaced by Jamie
Brewerton with Mark Connolly moving into midfield. Ten minutes after the break Lee Hunt was yellow carded for a needless lunge on Paul O'Neill despite the ball having long since gone. City won an eighth cornen and moments later Connoly was finally shown the card for another foul on Sion Edwards whose appetite remained undimished with a rampaging run and shot from 30 yards which Gann held confidently. Substitute Brewerton clobbered Martin Beattie and Ricky Evans sent the freekick into the box, Gann dropped the ball but City's strikers were on their heels. Moments later Paul Roberts had the ball in the net but a waving flag had signalled a halt to play seconds earlier. On 66 mins Breweton was finally cautioned for a foul another foul on Sion Edwards who continued to raid down the left. Bangor were trying to push forward and got caught on the break when Moran raced forward but Peter Hoy read the situation well and swept across from the right to concede the visitors third corner. Mike Walsh limped off to be replaced by Mel McGinness who quickly made a good impression. With thirteen minutes left on the clock Ricky Evans was yellow carded after being grappled by Murtagh. In the closing ten minutes Kev Scott replaced Ricky Evans and Dave Cameron led his height to the visitors attack in place of Andy Moran. Five minutes from time Lee Hunt completed the scoring when his calm finish left Ian Havard with no real hope and secured three points for the red shirted visitors. The former Bangor striker might have been caught out for diving in the box and Paul Roberts fired over, but the scoreline stayed unchanged. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
Having
encouraged Gareth Wilson to dictate procedings in the first half, the
high flying linesman might have shown more resolve in the second than
his young
apprentice. This was scarcely the case, Sion Edwards contiued to take a battering with the offenders escaping largely unpunished. Ceri Richards is familiar to thousands waving his flag on the touchline at Goodison and Highbury, but a referee he is not. Nothing new there then. |
| 22 |
|
|
PREMIER CUP |
|
|
|
Bangor's second visit of the season to
Richmond Park ended in a 3-1 defeat in the FAW Premier Cup.For his second game in charge new manager Steve Bleasdale brought in Carl Jones for the injured Kieran Killackey, making just the one change from the side which had beaten table toppers Llanelli on Saturday. Ricky Evans was suspended and Peter Hoy ineligible. But the hosts were quickly into their stride with the pacey Danny Thomas causing problems without troubling the scorers. Bangor's best chances came to the hard working lone striker Marc Lloyd Williams. Thomas might have given the hosts and early lead but he lost out to Ian Havard in a one on one chance, with the Ludlow stopper also doing well to push away a goalbound effort from Kaid Mohammed. Goalless at half time although Carmarthen had enjoyed more possession and created more chances. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
The home side went ahead on the hour when Kyle Jacobs brought
down Nathan Cotterall and the
former Rhayader
winger dusted himself down to convert the penalty. Manager Steve Bleasdale immediately responded by sending on Paul Roberts in place of young Carl Jones, who had just been yellow carded, to offer more support to Marc Lloyd Williams. But a quarter of an hour later it was 2-0 as Paul Keddle whose strong run set up Kaid Mohammed to beat Ian Havard with the aid of a deflection. Bangor refused to give up and were back in the game with ten minutes to go when Ashley Stott scored from fifteen yards after a lay off from Marc Lloyd Williams. In the final ten minutes Referee Whitby showed the yellow card to three more Bangor players, Ian Havard, Ashley Stott and Sion Edwards. Stott and Lloyd Williams went close to forcing an equaliser but as City pressed Carmarthen saw their chance and Nathan Cotterall won the ball on half way, ran on goal, and beat blues 'keeper Ian Havard with a shot which went in off the post with seconds left on the clock. The Bangor camp were unhappy with some of referee Mark Whitby's decisions and must content themselves with the cheque for £7000 which compensates teams beaten in the second round. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
Penllergaer
offcial Mark Whitby appeared to favour the home side from start to
finish
which scarcely endeared him to the visiting team who had travelled
140 miles on some of the worst main roads in main land Britain.
Mr
Whitby, on his 23 mile route home would feel he had done all that was
expected of him. |
| 21 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Unbeaten league
leaders Llanelli were ripped apart by Bangor City at Farrar Road. Taking charge of his first game Steve Bleasdale used Kieran Killackey in front of his defence and employed Marc Lloyd Williams as a lone striker. Both adjustments worked to perfection as the tigerish Killackey protected his goal and Lloyd Williams netted twice. Mention to of 16 year old midfielder Mel McGinness whose work rate and composure were evident from start to finish. There was no sign of things to come as Gary Lloyd delivered two trademark freekicks from the right. But the grey haried defender had to be alert in his own box moments later when Mike Walsh surged through midfield and invited Sion Edwards to gallop down the left. The winger delivered a low cross but Marc Lloyd Williams was just beaten to the ball by Lloyd. Ian Havard saved well from Mingorance, Duncan Roberts likewise from Lloyd Williams, as both sides fashioned half chances. The left footed Mingorance tested Havard once more with a rising drive after a clever turn outfoxed City's centrebacks. Lloyd Williams was alive to a loose ball on the edge of the visitors box after the uncomfortable Lee Phillips headed wildly, but Roberts again saved. The visitors just about held the advantage and forced a fourth corner midway through the half after Lee Webber blocked bravely. From the kick Mingorance dragged his shot wide. Lee Phillips was flustered by the direct running and pace of teenage left winger Sion Edwards who must have impressed his former Wrexham managers Joey Jones and George McGowan watching from the stand. Phillips Yellow was carded for kicking the ball away. City built up some pressure on the Reds goal but the resilient Martin Beattie was also carded on the half way line. Cortez Belle lashed wildly at a ball in from th left before Marc Lloyd Williams collected a pass from Mike Walsh but saw his 25 yard effort fail to bend in from the left. Two minutes before the interval Gary Lloyd was also carded for a heavy challenge on Ashley Stott before his inswinging corner forced Ian Havard into a low stop on his line. On the stroke of half time Referee Mike Jones adjudged that Sion Edwrads had been fouled by Phillips on the edge of the box. Ashley Stott went for goal but Roberts punched out to Marc Lloyd Williams whose effort was deflected for a corner. Kevin Scott's cross curled into the near post, Stuart Jones headed out to Me McGinness who low drive was blocked on the line by goalkeeper Roberts. The ball bounced kindly for Lee Webber to lash home from point blank range - to the delight of the Bangor brigade. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
Attacking the St Pauls End with a slight breeze and low
sun in their favour
begged the question, could city hold on? The went one better - but not before Belle headed straight at Ian Havard from eight yards. The goal though owed more to keystone cops defending than clever build up play. Ashley Stott picked up a diagonal ball from Mike Walsh who was prominent in midfield. Stott drilled a low cross which was cut out by Stuart Jones who - for no good reason - lofted the ball up to Marc Lloyd Williams - despite the wildest of hopeful swings from Wyn Thomas. The Llanberis striker could hardly believe his luck as he drilled low beyond the exposed Roberts for a 2-0 lead on 50 minutes. Sion Edwards was rampaging past Phillips at will and it was no surprise when the lanky defender made way for Efren Fernadez on 51 mins. Defender Stuart Jones shanked the ball wide from the penalty spot after Cortez Belle's long throw had caused problems. The former Chester & Newport striker then blasted the ball out of the ground at the Farrar End with time and space to do better. On the hour Belle saw his header held by Ian Havard. Midway through the half there was bookings for Antonio Corbisiero and then Craig Williams for lunges on young wingers Sion Edwards and Ashley Stott respectively. Marc Lloyd Williams might have done better when he cut out a dreadul square pass from Wyn Thomas but Roberts saved comfortably. But on 75 mins it was all over. Marc Lloyd Williams shielded the ball on the right, span round and picked out the hugely impressive Mike Wash running down the left. He kept his composure to side foot past Roberts from twelve yards and cue wild celebrations on and off the field. With ten minutes remaining Karim Alan came on for Ashley Stott and on 83 mins it was 4-0. Lee Webber won the ball on the edge of his box and struck a straight drive over the Llanelli defence. Wyn Thomas got back try and cover and might have conceded a penalty but Marc Lloyd Williams lept to his feet and crashed the ball wide of Roberts into the empty net. A moment later Kieran Killackey made way for Paul Roberts who was promptly yellow carded for a clash with Nick Sinfield who oddly escaped punishment. After two minutes of injury time Bangor players, supporters and officials celebrated as one after a famour victory. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
Referee Jones let the game flow, seemed comfortable with the
responsibility and had no difficult decisions to make. This was
never a dirty match and both sides were keen to play football. Well done. |
| 20 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Trailing to a Les Davies strike
just after the interval Bangor secured a deserved point thanks to
a late headed goal from Marc Lloyd Williams two minutes from time. On a blustery, chilly Traeth acting manager Steve Owen introduced re-signing Kevin Scott at leftback and switched Martin Beattie to the middle in place of injured captain Paul O'Neill who watched from the bench. He also switched Kyle Jacobs to rightback and the former Macclefield youngster enjoyed a fine afternoon in his defensive berth. Benefitting from a swirling wind Bangor looked busy from the offset and saw long range shots from Paul Roberts and Mike Walsh test Harvey before Les Davies won a corner for the home side after a run on the left. Kevin Scott challenged Kevin Roberts on the left and passed to Paul Roberts who appeared to control with his arm before turning and firing over from the edge of the Porthmadog box. On the half hour the home side went closest to breaking the deadlock. A corner was half cleared to Paul Friel who lobbed the ball into the path of Les Davies. His looping header sent Ian Havard backpeddling to push over for another corner. Ten minutes before the interval Lee Webber's long clearance cleared Rhys Roberts. Marc Lloyd Williams pounced but mishit his shot which rolled tamely to Harvey. A long freekick from Ryan Davies found Jason Sadler whose lay off tempted Kevin Roberts to shoot but he sliced his effort into the trees. Two minutes before the interval Kevin Scott forced his way past Roberts again and shot right footed wide of the near upright. Into injury time Bangor forced their second and third corners of the match which ended in Harvey crashing into his nearpost before Clayton Blackmore hit the crossbar with the former Holywell 'keeper beaten. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
Both sets of fans had barely finished their bovril when Gareth
Parry fired left footed from thirty yards and was unlucky to see the
ball strike the underside of the crossbar. Jason Sadler
rushed in but headed wide. Bangor responsed when Ashley Stott ran infield from the left but saw his right footer curl well wide, then Kieran Killackey fired onto the roof of the net from just outside the box. Employing a more direct approach, Port forced the opening goal on 55 minutes. Ryan Davies launched a long ball forward which blew over Kyle Jacobs and ended up in the Bangor box. With Jason Sadler making a nuisance of himself Les Davies fired home from close range despite the best efforts of Ian Havard. The 22 year old Maesgeirchen colossus span away to celebrate with his personal fan club and blues fsupporters wondered how their re-shaped side would respond. Bangor moved forward with heads held high and Clayton Blackmore saw his twenty yarder saved by Harvey. The former player manager, playing in midfield flanked by Kieran Killackey and Mike Walsh, was involved in most of City's better moments. Midway through the half both sides indulged in a number of changes, with Gareth Caughter and Carl Owen coming on for Kevin Roberts and Jason Sadler, and Mel McGinness replacing Kieran Killackey. Former blue Gareth Parry has often impressed in these derby and went close twice more as Bangor introduced Carl Jones in place of Ashley Stott with ten minutes remaining. The former Cardiff winger cut in from the left but saw his low drive saved by Harvey and the visiting support must have felt the Traeth jinx was about to strike once more. But Kyle Jacobs had other ideas and barged past the grey haired Mike Foster on the right to free Mike Walsh whose cross was turned out for a corner by Ryan Davies. The lean defender failed to get his head to Kevin Scott's corner and watched in horror as Marc Lloyd Williams headed home from six yards to the delight of the Bangor contingent. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
Hardly
endeared
himself to the Bangor camp by booking Marc Lloyd Williams after
ignoring
a foul mouthed volley from the Port rightback, and seemed unsure at
times,
but I have seen worse. |
| 19 |
|
|
WELSH CUP |
|
|
|
|
Bangor crashed out of the Welsh
Cup and the defeat prompted player manager Clayton Blackmore to
resign. Port were far the better team on the day and could easily have won by more as City failed to get a foothold against their North Wales neighbours. The home side might have gone ahead in the opening five minutes when Danny Hughes' header hit the upright with Ian Havard well beaten, but the Ludlow youngster did well to keep out a Carl Owen effort minutes later. Bangor's best moment came from a Paul O'Neill long throw which Mike Foster failed to clear but Kieran Killackey blazed over from the edge of the box. In general Port were probably too willing to shoot from distance with City's keeper dealing comfortably with efforts from former blues Carl Owen and Les Davies. Bangor rarely threatened although Kieran Killackey and Ashley Stott did send efforts off target. City were further hampered when captain Paul O'Neill was visibly hampered by a hamstring injury from within ten minutes of the kick off. Just before the break Chris Evans and Les Davies both went close for Port before Paul Roberts created an opening for Ashley Stott who fired over. As both sides left the field it was the yellow shirted Bangor side who had cause to hope that they could regroup and come out after the break with fresh ideas. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
Port came out the stronger and the ever dangerous Les Davies
twice
went close before the opening goal duly arrived on 55 minutes. A
Chris Evans corner was headed goalwards by Ryan Davies for Gareth Parry to crash the bal home from close
range. Bangor did raise the tempo and forced a couple of corners the second of which saw Richard Harvey relieved to catch a Paul O'Neill header. The home side thought they had doubled their lead on the hour but had a "goal" ruled out for offside. But on 75 minutes it was 2-0 and all over bar the shouting. Again it was the diminutive Chris Evans who swung in a corner for Rhys Roberts to net at the second attempt following a decent initial stop from Ian Havard. With twewnty minutes to go Mel McGinness came on for the impressive Mike Walsh, soon after David Neville replaced Kieran Killackey. City forced a flurry of corners but goalscorer Roberts and his defensive team mates stood firm and Porthmadog eventually cleared upfield. The final whistle blew and signalled the end of the Welsh Cup interest for another year, leaving Clayton Blackmore to ponder his future at the club. What might have been? If Adam Docker, Ricky Evans and Sion Edwards had been available or Paul O'Neil fully fit? No way of knowing but this was a bleak afternoon for Bangor fans and their yellow shirted side. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
No
complaints about the Holyhead official, calm and in control throughout. |
| 18 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
There were red
faces allround at
Farrar Road after visitors Aberystwyth ran out 4-1 winners. Match referee Andy Richards also busied himself by showing eleven yellow cards and two reds in a match which scarcely saw a harsh tackle or sign of malice. But the stars of the show were the black and greens. Rightback Gari Lewis gave Bangor an early scare with a dipping cross from the right which saw his opposite number Clayton Blackmore injured in an uncomfortable back post clearance. On ten minutes Kieran Killackey was yellow carded for a sliding tackle which made no contact before Bari Morgan ran into Adam Docker to earn a freekick on the edge of box at the the St Paul's End. Stuart Roberts fired low on target and Ian Havard dived full length to save. Bari Morgan's left footed curler from the right alarmed the Bangor defence but dropped over the bar and to safety. Ashley Stott, playing on the left, clearly had the beating of makeshift rightback Gari Lewis and breezed passed him on a couple of occasions but failed to threaten the goal. On 20 minutes Adam Docker was penalised for a clumsy challenge with Craig Jones forcing Ian Havard to tip over for a corner. The kick was half cleared but when Geraint Passmore robbed Kyle Jacobs in midfield his only thought was to shoot and watch as the ball dipped under the bar for a superb opening goal. Bangor's first real effort came on the half hour. Kyle Jacobs picked out the impressive Ashley Stott but his clean strike was pushed over by debutant 'keeper Karl Lewis. City forced a second corner but Aber cleared. With five minutes on the clock Bangor went close to an equaliser. Lee Webber latched onto a third corner from the right but saw his goalbound effort cleared off the line. Aber broke quickly and Martin Beattie was harshly yellow carded when Roberts slipped and fell in contact on the half way line. By this time Kyle Jacobs was clearly injured an replaced by twenty year old former Manchester United apprentice David Neville who took his place in centre midfield. However it was Aberystwyth who went close twice more with first Stuart Roberts shooting wide and then Craig Jones firing too close to Ian Havard. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
||||
|
Bangor started the second half with more purpose.
Clayton Blackmore saw his long range effort tipped over by Lewis
and from the second of two corners won Adam Docker headed over the
visitors bar. On 53 mins Geraint Passmore was yellow carded for a late challenge on Martin Beattie as he cleared from left back. However two minutes later a deep freekick on the right was headed home by Andy Evans to double the lead and appeared to kill off the match as a contest. With a stroke of luck Bangor struck back. The hard working Mike Walsh shot from 30 yards and beat Karl Lewis thanks to a huge deflection from Sion James who was credited with the goal. Marc Lloyd Williams was annoyed by the some inconsist decison making on the pitch and was shown the yellow card. Martin Beattie did well to stop an inital Aber threat on the blues left but Roberts managed to find space for a shot which sped past the post. At the midway point of the half Stuart Roberts and Bari Morgan - the little midfielder seemed above the law - were shown the yellow card. With twenty minutes to go it was 3-1 for the visitors when Luke Sherborn tapped in to an unguarded net. Bangor replaced Kieran Killackey with left winger Sion Edwards. With ten minutes to go a strange incident in the Aber goalmouth saw goalkeeper Lewis try to play on when a freekick was due. Bangor were awarded an indirect freekick inside the box, taken by Marc Lloyd Williams, which Lewis smothered. Referee Richards yellow carded the young goalkeeper and centreback David Burrows. Bangor continued to press and won their eighth and final corner which was cleared. Adam Docker, by now pushed upfront to add height to the attack, pulled at his marker shorts and was yellow carded and sent off. Opposition players had spent much of the afternoon pulling - it seems part of the game thesedays - but it was Docker who was punished. In the closing minutes Clayton Blackmore was also yellow carded before Aberystwyth netted their fourth goal through the energetic midfielder Geraint Passmore. In the moments that followed substitute Sion Edwards was red carded for comments passed to the official. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
Referee Richards should expect a call to arms from the Welsh Natioinal
League
next week if relegation applies to WP officials. This was
a dreadful performance, highlighted by strange decisions and pockmarked
with inconsistency which saw both managers shaking their heads for
most of the ninety minutes. Both had every reason to look dizzy
at the end. Aberystwyth won this match despite his help or hindrance but the losers were Bangor who now face a difficult trip to Porthmadog next Saturday without key players due to a "lucky lottery" display of yellow and red cards. This was a bad as I have ever seen at Farrar Road an cannot be allowed to continue. |
| 17 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
Bangor
rampaged to a 5-0 win at Port Talbot after taking an early lead through
Paul
Roberts and carried the game to the hosts throughout despite having
Ricky
Evans red carded on midway through the first half.The opening goal came on nine minutes when Paul Roberts drove home from 12 yards, beating former Wrexham goalkeeper Kristian Rogers. It was the Criccieth striker's first league goal of the season after an opening couple of months hampered by injury. On the quarter hour mark Ashley Stott doubled the lead with a low drive after a Ricky Evans pass. However ten minutes later City were down to ten men as Ricky Evans was shown a "straight red" by ref Simon Jones for an alleged elbow on Dylan Blain. The Steelmen went close to pulling one back when Penrhyndeudraeth lad Dyfan Pierce hit the woodwork but ten minutes before the interval Kyle Jacobs found Marc Lloyd Williams who put City 3-0 ahead with a trade mark finish from inside the box. As both sides trouped off at the half time whistle the ten men of Bangor could reflect on a job well done, but worry about the effects of playing the final 45 minutes a man short. |
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| HALF TIME 0-3 |
||||
|
Port Talbot rang the changes at half time with Tom Hooper and
Craig Hanford replacing Leigh deVulgt and centre half Matthew
Rees. Referee Jones yellow carded Bangor midfielder Kyle Jacobs
on 55 minutes. City came under some pressure but the promising centreback partnership of Lee Webber and Paul O'Neill stood firm whilst Ian Havard dealt well with efforts from Andrew Mumford. However the net result was more of the same. Paul Roberts, operating in central midfield, combined neatly with Marc Lloyd Williams to set up eighteen year old Ashley Stott who put Bangor 4-0 ahead with fifteen minutes on the clock. Moments earlier Scott Barrow had replaced Nicky Jones and two minutes after Stott's strike Sion Edwards replaced the double goalscorer. With nine minutes to go Bangor withdrew Kyle Jacobs with Kieran Killackey taking over his central midfield berth. The final goal of the game, and City's fifth, came on 90 minutes from Marc Lloyd Williams who bagged his second and ninth of the season. A tremendous spirit raising result for Bangor with only the red card as a negative note on the afternoon. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
There
was some debate from the Bangor camp surrounding the red card incident
but otherwise a competent performance from the Swansea official. |
| 16 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
It all started brightly enough for Bangor who took a tenth minute lead. Ricky Evans sent a freekick from half way into the visitors box and the unmarked Marc Lloyd Williams headed home for his tenth goal of the season. However the lead lasted only five minutes as the blues defence got into a muddle over a Mark Connolly long throw and Jon Newell put the ball into his own net. Ellesmere Referee Rob Duncan then went into overdrive to show the yellow card to three blues - Ricky Evans, Marc Lloyd Williams and Mike Walsh - as well as Carl Clampitt in a two minute burst on the twenty minute mark. On 22 minutes Lee Hunt gave Rhyl the lead after the home defence failed to clear a routine cross and two minutes later the lumbering Dave Cameron celebrated his return to the City of his birth with a third. City midfielder Mike Walsh went closest to closing the gap but the half time whistle blew with the visitors well in charge with a 3-1 advantage. |
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| HALF TIME 1-3 |
||||
|
At
half time player manager Clayton Blackmore ran a double change.
He brought himself on in place of Jon Newell and Sion
Edwards for James Marsden who had been on the right of midfield. With fifteen minutes remaining both sides threw on more substitutes with 16 year old Antony Wilson replacing Mike Walsh and Rhyl pair Marcus Orlik and Adrian Moody coming on for Lee Hunt and Dylan Owen. Former Chester striker Dave Cameron hit the crossbar and with ten minutes to go he finally bagged his second of the night after catching Darren Owen off guard to slide the ball into the empty net. There time for once last yellow card for Adam Docker before Referee Duncan blew the final whistle. Bangor have scarcely enjoyed this season's Loosemore Cup and will have nothign other than a passing interest in the remainder of the competition. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
Rob
Duncan booked three Bangor players in a two minute spell but seemed
content to allow visiting players to show dissent as loudly as they
chose. |
| 15 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
| On a beautiful autumnal afternoon at
Farrar Road visitors Cwmbran went close to leaving with
all three points before a well taken goal from Ashley Stott levelled
the scores. Bangor started attacking the Farrar End with young goalkeeper Ian Havard looking into bright low sunshine. Ricky Evans found himself on the bench whilst centrehalf signing Lee Webber made his debut alongside captain Paul O'Neill. Paul Roberts nearly put City ahead in the opening five minutes when his low shot forced Gareth Wesson into a full lenth dive. On ten minutes Josh Collins lifted over from close range following a corner on the left and then midway through the half the dangerous Jody Jenkins brought Ian Havard into action with a shot from outside the box. Paul O'Neill ventured forward and saw his shot - literally - hit the corner flag before on 25 mins Bangor were forced into a change when Kyle Jacons limped off. His replacement Ricky Evans was quickly into the thick of the action alongside Mike Walsh. But it was the Prestatyn based midfielder who was involved in the first creative passing move of the game which saw Marc Lloyd Williams fire well over from 25 yards. On the half hour Bangor twice went close. The ever improving Sion Edwards galloped down the left and sent over a sweet cross which Paul Roberts headed downwards but watched in disbelief as the ball struck the crossbar. Edwards had followed in but his low drive was blocked by Daniel Clare. Paul O'Neill launched a long throw from the right but Ricky Evans sliced his shot wide from the edge of the box. As half time approached Ashley Stott raced on goal. Cwmbran blocked his shot and counter attacked with Lee Webber at full stretch to deny Tyrnoe Toppar on the half way line. On the stroke of half time Marc Lloyd Williams and Sion Edwards combined to release Martin Beattie but his left wing cross went unconverted and the whistle blew. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
Left winger Sion Edwards was the central figure in the
opening
minutes as he won a corner - Bangor's second of the afternoon
- and shot wide from fifteen yards following a Clayton Blackmore
freekick. He then followed up as Marc Lloyd Williams chased a
long ball which forced a block from the hesistant Wesson and sent a
long range effort narrowly off target. Daniel Clare was injured as he got his foot across a Paul O'Neill shot following a third Bangor corner and the 21 year old defender was replaced by Rhys Williams as Ricky Evans waited to send over Bangor's fourth corner minutes later. On the hour Mike Walsh started and ended a move which saw his sweeping pass pick out Paul Roberts on the right and then saw his shot drift wide. A fifth corner came to nothing but on 63 mins the visitors had the lead. Jody Jenkins won a tackel on half way and raced for goal. Ian Havard blocked his initial shot but the alert Kris Leek was on hand to sweep the ball home from eighteen yards to the delight of the travelling Crows - including "acting manager" and former Citizen Matthew Bishop. Sion Edwards was forcing fouls out of the Cwmbran rightback and Terry Green injured himself in one mistimed challenge, was yellow carded and replaced by Jason Davies. Ricky Evans squared the ball to Clayton Blackmore but his long range shot crashed well wide. With fifteen minutes left Sion Edwards limped off with little wizard Mel McGinness rushing into the fray. However Havard had to be on his toes to catch a full blooded effort from Jenkins which threated to double the visitors lead. Paul Roberts chased a long ball from Lee Webber but 21 year old assistant referee John Swindley flagged. Bangor finally drew level on 82 mins. Eighteen year old Ashley Stott ran across the edge of the box before beating Wesson with a low shot into the left hand corner. Kris Handury came on for the tiring Toppar but he could only watch as pocket battleship Mel McGinness cut in from the right but fired narrowly off target into the St Pauls End. Ricky Evans forced a good save from Wesson as Bangor went in search of a winner, Jon Newell replaced the injured goalscorer Stott, and then the final drama. Mike Walsh and Mel McGinness helped create a run on goal for Paul Roberts. The Criccieth marksman struck the ball cleanly but fell to his knees as it crashed into the advertising hoardings to the right of the upright. And that was about it, three minutes of added time and the dreaded whistle on a draw which on the balance of play should have been a home win. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
Referee
Parry did little wrong with a sensible display, although booking Marc
Lloyd Williams for kicking the ball away seemed a little harsh in the
circumstances. However he will feel if that is the
only "gripe" he had a fair afternoon. Sadly the same cannot be said of the St Pauls End linesman who clearly flagged whenever a Bangor player appeared offside, regardless of when the ball was played. This denied Marc Lloyd Williams, Paul Roberts and Ashley Stott as the broke clear and infuriated the home fans and players alike. In all likelihood he cost Bangor two points and scarcely helped the situation by laughing as he walked off. |
| 14 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
A match
which promised much for Bangor ended in a resounding defeat with two
former blues amongst the Nomads scorers. City were forced to play
the second half with ten men after Adam Docker was red carded by
referee Huw Jones. In the opening ten minutes City threatened to brush The Nomads aside with Ricky Evans thumping over and Kyle Jacobs sidefooting wide. Midfielder Mike Walsh connected with a Clayton Blackmore cross but headed at Paul Smith who held comfortably. In squally conditions the action switched to the Bangor goalmouth with Connahs Quay winning - and largely wasting - three corners in a ten minute spell. As City pushed forward the pacey Tommy Mutton dashed through but Paul O'Neill worked hard to slide the ball out for a throw. However on 21 mins the black and whites had the lead. A deep swirling cross from Marc Limbert on the right dropped beyond Ian Havard for nineteen year old left winger Adam Dickinson to crash home from close range. They might have doubled their lead but Paul O'Neill defended bravely, but on 34 mins it was 2-0. A poor clearance by Bangor fell invitingly to a slim looking Craig Garside who low drive found the bottom corner from 18 yards. Connahs Quay tried to impose a game of diagonal big hitting which unsettled City's defence, but in the five minutes before the interval the moments that changed the game. As City attacked a freekick caused enough concern for long haired defender Chris Williams to throw himself down dramatically, clutching his face. There appeared no contact, nothing was signalled, and the match continued. The assistant referee appeared to have a clear view. Then a high ball to the edge of the Nomads box tempted Paul Smith to catch but his momentum took him a couple of feet outside his box. With City strikers Paul Roberts and Ashley Stott in close proximity he quickly stepped back. The assistant referee was in line but failed to flag and Referee Huw Jones duly waved play on. Inside a minute a tackle by Adam Docker was deemed to be a foul and merit a yellow card. The big defender responded by slapping the ball away, a second yellow and red. |
||||
| HALF TIME 2-0 |
||||
|
Ten men and Connahs Quay? Sounds familiar, but sadly not
to be. Craig Hutchinson earned himself a yellow card for a crude lunge on Paul O'Neill who cleared a ball half blocked by Ian Havard who was now visibly injured. Marc Lloyd Williams ran willingly after a long ball over the Nomads defence but failed to make proper contact. On the hour Tommy Mutton netted his 100th WP goal against one of his former clubs after City lost possession in the centre circle. Ian Havard was immediately replaced by Darren Owen. On 68 mins Sion Edwards replaced Ashley Stott and made quickly got the better of tiny leftback Gary Lovell to unsettled the "home" defence. Marc Lloyd Williams won a corner on the right but Ricky Evans saw his shot blocked, then City won a fourth corner when susbtitute Edwards goalbound effort was deflected wide. Gaining some confidence despite being a man down Bangor won a fifth corner but Kyle Jacobs fired well over. The Nomads were still threatening with Mutton and Dickinson dangerous on the break, whilst Sion Edwards did well to turn and shoot from twenty yards but his rising effort cleared the bar. Kyle Jacobs' through ball picked out Marc Lloyd Williams but his low shot slithered wide of the right post. Marc Lloyd Williams, working hard down the middle, was scythed to the floor by Chris Williams, but unlike the Adam Docker incident paly was allowed to continue. Ricky Evans outwitted Williams on the right and drove in to the near post. Connahs Quay half cleared and young midfielder Kyle Jacobs shot over from the edge of the box. In the closing minutes Marc Lloyd Williams broke clear once more but fired at Smith from ten yards. His frustrating night was capped on ninety minutes when his first time header hit the root of the post with Smith flatfooted. On another night the prolific striker might have bagged a hatrick but not tonight. Credit due to Connahs Quay, to Tommy Mutton for his 100th goal, but dismay for Bangor. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
A
reasonable overall performance from Huw Jones and there can be no doubt
that
Connahs Quay were the better side on the night. BUT! The
failure by Mr Jones and his assistant to spot a 6' goalkeeper
more than a foot outside his area - with the ball in his grasp -
was unacceptable. The freekick against Adam Docker was just about fair, the yellow very card harsh - but the second yellow for dissent inevitable. |
| 13 |
|
|
LEAGUE CUP |
|
|
|
There was also a start for another 16 year old, midfielder Mel McGinness, alongside recent signing Kyle Jacobs. The first half was an largely uneventful affair with Bangor forcing an early opening when Anthony Wilson made good contact with Mike Walsh's corner but his header cleared Richard Harvey's crossbar. The home side then had more of the ball but failed to create enough clear cut chances to unsettle the makeshift Bangor defence for whom Adam Docker was outstanding. Porthmadog's main threat came from former City striker Carl Owen but he failed to convert either of the chances that came his way. With half time approaching Mel McGinness sent a 30 yard special which brought a good save out of Harvey but the teams left the field with the scoreline blank. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
Bangor fans were startled to see a goalkeeping change forced on
the visitors as Ian Havard was unable to continue. His replacement in
the City goal was player manager Clayton Blackmore. There was one
other change at the restart with Sion Edwards replacing
former Altrincham utility man James Marsden. Porthmadog opened brightly and forced a handful of corners but little to upset the stand in goalkeeper. Les Davies chipped over but it was Bangor, making good use of left winger Sion Edwards, who began to look the more dangerous. On the hour the Bangor threat became more obvious as leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams replaced the hard working Mel McGinness. Five minutes later City had the lead. 19 old midfielder Kyle Jacobs ran on goal before unleashing a powerful long range drive which flew into the Porthmadog net. The home side responded via a Les Davies freekick which Clayton Blackmore held, and a shot from Carl Owen which hit the post. But on 71 mins it was 2-0 for Bangor as Kyle Jacobs fired on target again from distance and saw his shot squirm through the grasp of Richard Harvey into the net. Former Bangor pair Gareth Parry and Les Davies went close but it was not until the 88th minute that young substitute Mark Cook ran through to slide the ball past Clayton Blackmore for his first senior goal. Another Port replacement, Barry Jones, had a late chance to level things but was denied by City's stand in keeper. The whistle blew and the Bangor crowd and players had every reason to be pleased with their efforts in difficult circumstances. |
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|
||||
|
| MiB |
No
bookings or dismissals, no complaints from either side and a game in
which Mr Lawler skilfully ensured he was not a central figure or
talking point. Well done. |
| 12 |
|
|
THE WELSH CUP |
|
|
|
Bangor eased into the Welsh Cup Third Round with a comfortable
win at Eithin Duon against a spirited Llanrug side.City were able to recall Adam Docker alongside Paul O'Neill and Kiearan Killackey in central midfield. Unhappily though the midfield terrier was forced off inside ten the opening quarter hour with a hamstring problem. By then Bangor had established a grip on the game, every kick closely watched by a crowd of around 500 on a bright sunny afternoon, with Ricky Evans and Paul Roberts going close early on. After Killackey had been replaced by Mike Walsh a long throw from Adam Docker found Paul Roberts but he fired well over and moments later forced Llanrug goalkeeper Dave Ball into an overhead catch. Midfield general Ricky Evans saw his long range shot roar over, a Martin Beattie cross was headed wide by Kyle Jacobs. City won a couple more corners - their second and third - before a long throw from Adam Docker was headed over by Paul Roberts. Some clever approach play involving Mike Walsh and Kyle Jacobs ended as player manager Clayton Blackmore shot over from 20 yards. Terry Williams was working overtime in the Llanrug midfield but he could only stand and admire a superb save from Ball off Blackmore's low piledriver. Ten minutes before the interval Paul O'Neill's goal bound header was handled on the line by Aaron Bayley who volleyed clear - play on said Referee Farrell - Adam Docker fired in but saw his shot blocked. On 35 minutes City finally had the all important first goal. Substitute Mike Walsh lobbed the ball to Paul Roberts whose first time flick fell invitingly for Captain Paul O'Neill to calmly run the ball into the back of the net from five yards. O'Neill enjoyed a fine afternoon alongside the towering Docker who won tackles and headers and helped Bangor dominate proceedings. The final meaningful action of the first half saw Ashley Stott head over from the fifth corner of the afternoon at the backpost from Clayton Blackmore's cross. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
||||
|
From the restart Mike Walsh dribbled his way through the home
defence and set up Paul Roberts but the chance disappeared in a frantic
goalline scramble. City quickly won their sixth corner which
Ricky Evans drilled in near post but Ashley Stott skewed wide. Llanrug forged their first clear chance when Owain Morris went close but dragged his shot wide. Normal service was resumed as City won a seventh corner before the home side won their first on 55 minutes. Morris headed wide from a cross which dropped just behind him. Llanrug gained some momentum when Martin Beattie was clattered on half way to allow Carl Griffiths a run on goal. His low drive was heading into the bottom left hand corner but a brilliant one handed fingertip save from Ian Havard just deflected the ball onto the post. Five minutes later Terry Williams was finally cautioned for a wild challenge on the wounded Martin Beattie. A United attack on their right ended with some good defending by the versatile Mike Walsh who was now at leftback. A long ball down the right flank by Clayton Blackmore found Marc Lloyd Williams but his turn and shot ended over the bar. On 65 mins Martin Beattie hobbled off with Bangor lad Sion Edwards adding to the number of teenagers in yellow (yes yellow!) and quickly won a crunching tackle with home rightback Rheon Parry to win City's eighth corner which the hard working Lloyd Williams turned into the side netting. With twenty minutes to go Bangor secured the win with the imposing figure of Ricky Evans central. He fought for the ball in midfield, so too Paul O'Neill who supplied the selfless Marc Lloyd Williams on the right. Jiws looked up and crossed low into the goalmouth for Paul Roberts to slide in from two yards. As the match entered the final quarter hour Referee Farrell dismissed Terry Williams who had in all honesty been outside the law with some late tackles for much of the game. It must be intimidating playing against Ricky Evans whose mixture of power and skill makes him a formidable opponent over ninety minutes. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
WP
linesman Mr Farrell (Abergele) was not up to the task of controlling
what was always going to be a fiercely competitive cup tie with local
pride at stake. He let too
much go for too long and when he eventually booked and finally sent off
Terry Williams with fifteen minutes
left he let him sit on the bench and watch the rest of
the match from the sidelines. Oops. |
| 11 |
|
|
LEAGUE CUP |
|
|
|
City
could scarcely
have asked for a better start as Ashley Stott
converted a chance created by Paul Roberts for an eighth minute lead.
On the quarter hour mark midfield marauder Ricky Evans nicked the ball off Layton Maxwell
and chipped diminutive Canary Paul Pritchard to double the lead.
On 28 minutes the visitors thought they were in heaven as Paul Pritchard fumbled a Kyle Jacobs shot and Mel McGuiness netted from close range. Three nil with less than half an hour gone! It seemed too good to be true and sadly it was. Ten minutes before the interval Craig Roberts pulled one back and five minutes later Roberts created an opening which debutant Paul Carvill accepted. Unbelievably it was 3-3 on the stroke of half time as Chris Jones saw his shot deflected passed Ian Havard as the blues defence fell apart. As the two sides left the field the shell shocked Bangor supporters could hardly believe how events had unfolded. |
||||
| HALF TIME 3-3 |
||||
|
How do you follow that? The second half was a calmer
affair in comparison although referee Lee Evans busied himself with
seven cautions, shown to Chris Jones, Craig Roberts, Lee Bamber, Gerard
Maloney for the hosts and James Marsden, Kyle Jacobs and Clayton
Blackmore for
Bangor. Craig Roberts thought he had scored again on the hour mark but an offside flag cut short the celebrations and City goalkeeper Ian Havard did well to prevent Paul Carvill's effort from putting the Canaries ahead. City replaced young winger Mel McGuiness with leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams and too thought he struck the winner some fifteen minutes from the end but the flag ruled otherwise. As the Llanberis striker complained the home side raced upfield and former Leeds United apprentice Chris Jones crashed the ball home from 30 yards for what proved to be a worthy winner of this seven goal thriller. Neither side sat back and Kyle Jacobs rattled the crossbar as City sought an equaliser, leftback Mike Walsh saw his header cleared off the line and finally fired over from inside the box. Finally the whilstle went and the Caernarfon supporters celebrated - some of them unfortunately by running on the pitch and confronting City's teenage goalkeeper Ian Havard. Hopefully the busy Mr Evans can add this unfortunate finale to his match report. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
| 10 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
With both teams missing key players it was the
depleted
Bluebirds who went home with the points after City missed
a late penalty and a host of other, if less clear cut, openings. The Bangor absentees included centrebacks Adam Docker and Barry Jones, plus midfielders Kieran Killackey and former 'Sws schemer Ricky Evans. Caersws were minus experienced centrebacks Huw Clarke and Colin Reynolds and leaned heavily on the presence of Andy Thomas at sweeper. Attacking the St Pauls End Caersws won a couple of early corners as leftback Lloyd Grist caused problems which forced Martin Beattie into a good clearing header. On the quarter hour Sion Edwards found Marc Lloyd Williams who ran through an netted but his celebrations ended with a linesman's flag. Caersws hit back and Chris Venables forced a good low save from his former Shrewsbury academy team mate Ian Havard in the Bangor goal. Debutant midfielder Kyle Jacobs had enjoyed a fine opening spell when his defence splitting pass saw Paul Roberts run into the Bluebirds box but he was guided wide by the wily Mulliner and shot into the side netting. Paul O'Neill launched a long throw into the visitors box, Ashley Stott headed on target but Mulliner gathered comfortably. On the half hour a third corner of the match for Caersws was half cleared and resulted in a freekick 22 yards out in front of goal. Chris Venables directed the ball over the wall and into the 'keepers top righthand corner despite the best efforts of Jon Newell on the post. Bangor forced the pace with Mulliner saving well from Clayton Blackmore, the ball ran to Marc Lloyd Williams controlled and crossed right footed but the visitors defence stood firm. Paul Roberts rolled the ball to Mike Walsh who set up Kyle Jacobs but the yound midfielder fired over from twenty yards. Lloyd Grist volleyed into the side netting from Chris Venables' deep searching cross but the Bluebirds doubled their advantage moments later. A clean low drive from Ross Stephens beat Ian Havard's desperate dive and lodged in the bottom corner on 34 minutes. Mark Howells blocked Sion Edwards as he again tried to raid the Bluebirds goal. Referee John then harshly carded Kyle Jacobs before Bangor won their first corner of the afternoon five minutes before the interval. Clayton Blackmore delivered and a half clearance dropped to Sion Edwards but his shot was blocked. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-2 |
||||
|
From the restart nineteen year old former Hereford United
youngster Adam Worton replaced Graham Jones. City striker Marc
Lloyd Williams was then yellow carded for a push before Ross
Stephens sent a freekick off target at the Farrar End. By now Bangor have re-organised at the back with Clayton Blackmore moving to rightback, Jon Newell to the right and Martin Beattie in the middle alongside captain O'Neill. Bangor left winger Sion Edwards grew in strength as the half went on. His run past Worton led to a cross which midifelder Ashley Stott fired wide. Andy Thomas was forced to concede a corner to stop Edwards and from Clayton Blackmore's cross Michael Walsh headed home from close range on 54 minutes. Andy Davies raced towards the Bangor goal but failed to get the better of Martin Beattie then with 25 minutes on the clock Marc Lloyd Williams shot off target from a right wing cross. On 70 minutes both sides made changes with Neil Mitchell replacing Chris Jones and then Jon Newell making way for James Marsden. On 77 mins Graham Evans replaced Lloyd Grist and City went close as Paul O'Neill latched onto to a half chance on the left edge of the box but his low shot curled wide. Chris Venables could have given the visitors a 3-1 lead but missed from six yards after some indifferent defending from Bangor's reshuffled rearguard. As time ran out City had loud appeals for a penalty turned down after Andy Thomas appeared to foul Ashley Stott. Then a foul on Marc Lloyd Williams resulted in a freekick but Paul O'Neill headed over. And then the final agony. Sion Edwards once again tormented the visitors defence and tempted a rash challenge in the clear view of Mr John who promptly pointed to the spot. Paul Roberts stepped up, Andy Mulliner guessed right, and the moment passed and - seconds later - the final whistle blew. A bright sunny day, a good crowd and overall not a bad performance, but certainly a disappointing result. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
Visibly
inconsistent from one minute to the next Mr John hardly earned
many plaudits from the Bangor contingent by his erratic application of
the laws which - from a home perspective - seemed
to favour the visitors. He ignored one blatant penalty
but finally got one right in the final minutes. The card count supports that view, two Bangor players booked but only young Worton for the visitors who tended to foul when under any pressure, especially when confronted by Sion Edwards. Fair to say Mr John was hardly helped by a couple of below par linesmen who simply could not apply the offside rule with any accuracy or consistency. |
| 9 |
|
|
PREMIER CUP |
|
|
|
 A hard fought
battle which saw the match forced into extra time ended in a 3-1 win
for City but not before Wrexham referee Mike Jones had red carded three
players in a stormy final period.City took the lead on fifteen minutes through leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams who netted from close range. But the visitors enjoyed a spell of possession which yielded half a dozen corners, including a sequence of three which finally created a chance off the crossbar for centre half Hugh Clarke to prod home from close range five minutes before the interval. Chris Venables and Lloyd Grist went closest to putting the Bluebirds ahead but Bangor might have restored their advantage when Marc Lloyd Williams went close before Paul O'Neill latched onto a Ricky Evans freekick but again missed the target. So honours even at half time and little sign of the drama to follow. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 | ||||
|
|
||||
|
Caersws replaced goalscorer Hugh Clarke with nineteen year old
former Shrewsbury Town youngster Tom Sparey, the day after his
birthday. The second period saw Bangor play some creative football but fail to turn possession into goals. The best of the chances fell to Paul Roberts and Marc Lloyd Williams but neither could find the important second goal. On the hour City sent on Michael Walsh for Jon Newell and Referee Jones booked Marc Lloyd Williams. In the closing five minutes of the ninety Mr Jones added the names of Ricky Evans, Adam Docker and Geraint Lewis. The final whistle came and went with the score level at one all, a further thirty minutes required. Within a minute or so of the restart City had the lead courtesy of Marc Lloyd Williams who bagged his second goal of the evening. In the following minutes Geraint Lewis was red carded and the visitors sent on Graham Evans for Lloyd Grist. Further red cards followed for Ricky Evans and Chris Venables as the teams finished with ten and nine men respectively. City sent on Lee Hodgkinson for Sion Edwards and had the last word as Marc Lloyd Williams created a chance for Paul Roberts to score from close range and settle the dispute at 3-1. City now await the draw and their opponents in the second round. |
||||
|
||||
|
||||
| MiB |
Mike
Jones was a good linesman, very observant and on the ball. On the
evidence of this showing not up to the mark as a WP referee especially
in a cup tie with both sides flat out for a win. |
| 8 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Two goals from
the ever reliable Marc Lloyd Williams seemed to have earned City all
three points at Richmond Park but a late equaliser by substitute Nathan
White shared the spoils. Player manager Clayton Blackmore partnered Ricky Evans in midfield whilst there was a recall for Adam Docker instead of Barry Jones at the heart of the defence. Clayton Blackmore deployed himself in a defensive midfield position to protect his young centrebacks. Teenage pair Anthony Wilson and Mel McGuiness were part of a youthful bench. With Ricky Evans in the thick of the action City should have gone ahead when Paul Roberts broke clear on the right and crossed - via Ashley Stott - for Marc Lloyd Williams to tap in but veteran Terry Evans bravely blocked his effort on the line and the danger passed. However on 34 mins the Llanberis striker got his first goal. Paul Roberts saw that Craig Lima's idea of letting the ball find goalkeeper Neil Thomas was tainted with madness and nipped to shoot on target. The keeper parried the effort but only into the path of the ever alert Marc Lloyd Williams who slotted home with ease. Despite having the better chances City were pegged back two minutes before the interval when Kris Thomas found former Llanelli striker Kaid Mohammed who raced on goal from what looked like an clear offside position and beat Ian Havard from the edge of the box. The young striker appeared to hesitate as he anticipated the flag - as did Havard - but the linesman waved play on and the goal stood. Referee Southall ended the half with a yellow card for City centre half Adam Docker. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-1 |
||||
|
After the break Lloyd Williams found some space on left within
yards of the goal, tried to pass to Paul Roberts but the
home defence crowded him out. On the hour mark Marc Lloyd Williams cut inside to fire home
right footed beyond the acrobatic Thomas to put City in front once
more. Carmarthen responded by sending on Mattie Davies for Haydn
Fleming to pep up their attack. When City came under pressure Jon Newell, Paul O'Neill and Adam Docker stood firm, with Martin Beattie also defending bravely on the left. Kris Thomas forced a good low save from Ian Havard as he fired on target from the left. With twenty minutes remaining City send on Michael Walsh for Sion Edwards. With ten minutes to go Sasha Walters was replaced by Nathan White and Carl Gleaves made his league debut in place of Ricky Evans. Sixteen year old Mel McGuiness also made his WP debut on 89 mins but still found time to pick up a yellow card with his naturally competitive style and play Lloyd Williams in on the left but Thomas saved. With the match into injury time Terry Evans worked an opening on the right, substitute Mattie Davies headed on from the near post and fellow replacement Nathan White netted from point blank range to draw the scores level for the last time. In a post match interview a downhearted Marc Lloyd Williams reflected on what might have been had he converted all the chances that came his way. City left Richmond Park feeling disappointed with a point they might otherwise have greeted with open arms. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
Phil
Southall. |
| 7 |
|
|
LEAGUE CUP |
|
|
|
In a re-shuffled line up Carl Gleaves played alongside Paul O'Neill whilst Marc Lloyd Williams line up in midfield with Mike Walsh. Teenager Mel McGuiness started on the right. Lively left winger Sion Edwards was a thorn in th visitors side all night. On 13 minutes he crossed into the box for the predatory Paul Roberts to score from close range. But the visitors were level within a minute when a freekick from former blue Layton Maxwell hit the woodwork and rebounded for Kenny Irons to net from the edge of the box. One all at half time and both sets of fans digesting the news of the managerial departure and pondering the list of likely replacements... |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-1 |
||||
|
From the restart Bangor replaced Carl Gleaves with Adam Docker
who slotted in alongside Paul O'Neill. Sion Edwards sent in a cross which eluded the Bangor attackers but on 50 minutes he did the same again after a flowing move from the back and again found Paul Roberts on hand to make the score 2-1. This time the visitors did not strike back, although as time ran out John Rowley had the ball in the Bnagor net but the assistant referee rightly raised to his flag to silence to the yellow and green supporters. Sixteen year old Mel McGuiness enjoyed a fine debut and confirmed that Mel Jones' academy is still willing and able to find and develop impressive local talent. With twenty five minutes remaining Lee Hodgkinson came on for Marc Lloyd Williams and ten minutes later fit again James Marsden stepped in for young Mel McGuiness. City had the final word on 86 minutes when Mike Walsh crossed for eighteen year old Ashley Stott to continue his impressive start in a blue shirt with his fourth goal of the season. So a much needed win in the League Cup, one which puts City back in contention for a top two finish and a place in the quater final stages? Too many games for too little reward? You decide! |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
No
yellow cards, no reds and a straightforward evening for Mr Harms. |
| 6 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
| A
solitary Michael Walsh strike on the stroke of half time decided this
keenly fought contest but the dominant figure for ninety minutes was
Bangor midfielder Ricky Evans who gave his best display yet since
rejoining the blues during the summer. During his time in exile Evans played for a handful of club, one of them Welshpool, and his former boss Tomi Morgan must have winced with every cruching tackle or telling pass. However the visitors could take heart from their part in an end to end tussle which was in doubt to the final whistle. The opening stages of the first half were marred by a sickening clash of heads between visiting midfielder Ceri James and Dave Cunnah which saw a visibly groggy James replaced by former blues striker Ross Jefferies. Lightweight 'Pool striker Sean Butler chased past Jon Newell but saw his low shot comfortably held by his former Shrewbury Town academy team mate Ian Havard. Bangor fans were then involved with loud appeals for a penalty as Gerard McGuigan tripped Marc Lloyd Williams but Referee Hutchinson waved play on. Geraint Windsor fouled City's leading goalscorer, Keegan attempted to head clear but the ball Barry Jones and dropped for Paul Roberts who fired over. Then Clayton Blackmore and Michael Walsh combined but the fit again midfielder shot tamely at McGuigan. The game moved end to end with Ricky Evans and Paul O'Neill in the thick of things whilst Jon Newell got to grips with Butler. As City attacked Clayton Blackmore picked out Paul Roberts but again McGuigan held cleanly. Sean Butler wriggled clear of Newell to shoot on target and forced a good save from Ian Havard. Referee Richards then yellow carded Ricky Evans for kicking the ball ten yards away as Welshpool won a freekick for minimal contact on Butler. The high ball in was headed over by centreback John Keegan. Then Ian Havard made two or three incredible point blank saves as it seemed Rogers must score before City managed to clear. Welshpool won another freekick which Rogers hit low and hard but Havard saved well. With the visitors creating chances a half chance from Aden Shannon flew into the side netting. Then on the stroke of half time Clayton Blackmore high corner caused confusion in the visitors box. Ashley Stott saw his shot blocked but Michael Walsh prodded home and Bangor took a one nil lead into the half time break. |
||||
| HALF TIME 2-0 |
||||
|
No sooner had the second half started than teenage winger Ashley
Stott fired over twice from openings created by Ricky Evans. The
big midfielder had taken complete charge of the match,
tackling with immense power and passing deftly. One mazey run
left four opponents in his wake and came to a halt
when Ross Jefferies was forced to commit a blatant foul on halfway.
Referee Richards had little choice but to show the yellow
card. Steve Rogers nearly brought Welshpool level as he pounced on a loose clearance to shoot on target from forty yards but Ian Havard was alert to the danger. Clayton Blackmore crossed for Marc Lloyd Williams but his header flew over. Barry Jones then earned a yellow for a foul. Another piece of power and trickery from Ricky Evans set City on the attack from deep inside their own half before another former Shrewsbury apprentice George Hughes came on for Sean Butler. Shannon sent a long range shot on target but into the hands of Ian Havard. Referee Richards added the name of Dave Cunnah to his collection for what looked like a stamp on Ashley Stott. As the game intered the final quarter Clayton Blackmore forced McGuigan into a save at full stretch after good work from Stott. The former Porthmadog 'keeper then saved well from Marc Lloyd Williams' low drive. However the visitors were far from beaten and won a couple of corners before City broke forward. An accurate ball out from Jon Newell found Marc Lloyd Williams who crossed for Paul Roberts but his effort missed the target. With some ten minutes remaining Jon Jones came on for Geraint Windsor, but it was Roberts who again went close for Bangor off another Lloyd Williams cross. City then sent on Sean Edwards for Ashley Stott and the young left winger found himself yellow carded within seconds for kicking the ball. As Welshpool pressed for an equaliser Barry Jones stretched to clear and was fouled by Ross Jefferies who was yellow carded by Mr Richards and duly dispatched for an early shower after his earlier caution for a foul on Ricky Evans. Bangor weathered the storm of two - or was it three or four - minutes of injury time to hold onto three valuable points to go top of the WP. A superb display from Ricky Evans alongside the player manager in midfield, but also the whole defence including the shaven headed Newell and left back Beattie. Well done. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB |
Fussy
and not quite up to the task on this showing, got a number of decisions
wholly wrong and booked (can I still use that term) far too many
players for the nature of this encounter. |
| 5 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
City could - and should - have won this game
by more but in the end were grateful for an injury time strike
from nineteen year old winger Sion Edwards to subdue
a spirited Airbus side. With Mike Walsh injured in the defeat at Rhyl there was a recall for Ricky Evan sin midfield, alongside Clayton Blackmore. Jon Newell continued at right back. Adam Docker partnered Paul O'Neill in the heart of the home defence with new signing Barry Jones watching from the bench. Despite playing into a strong wind gusting from the Farrar End, City took an early lead. Leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams chased a pass from Stott but saw his effort charged down by goalkeeper McGee. The determined striker ran to his left, collected the ball and crossed for Ashley Stott to head home from twelve yards, on eight minutes. At this point Airbus player manager Gareth Owen left the field with an injury and was replaced by Alan Richardson. Owen is one of the few composed, experienced midfielders in the WP which made his departure a disappointment, if an advantage to Bangor. Paul Roberts then lashed over from twenty yards before City doubled their lead. Young winger Seanb Edwards cut in from the right and hit the crossbar with a rising drive which fell for Marc Lloyd Williams who controlled the ball, turned and drove home from ten yards out on the left for his fifth goal of the season. Ian Havard was called into action as striker turned midfielder James McIntosh shot on target but City coped well with the strong wind and fashioned a corner on the half hour which Marc Lloyd Williams fired over on the turn. With pressure mounting Jon Newell played the ball into Marc Lloyd Williams but McGee held the shot and was then alert to gather a Paul Roberts' cross. Ten minutes before the interval Steve Futcher limped off to be replaced by former blue Chris Moores. Airbus threated down the right but Jon Newell defender well and Paul O'Neill cleared into the wind. On the stroke of half time Clayton Blackmore was yellow carded for what seemed to be "one foul too many" and James McIntosh hit the target with a low drive but again Ian Havard saved cleanly. With a two nil advantage and the wind at their backs City seemed to be well placed for a second half siege. |
| HALF TIME 2-0 |
| A wind assisted siege which never quite worked out! Credit must go the second half resurgence of Airbus led by Richardson i |