| BANGOR
CITY MATCH REPORTS 2007-08 |
 |
| MATCH REPORT
ARCHIVE |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| 51 |
|
|
WELSH
CUP FINAL |
|
|
|
Ten men
battled against the odds for 85 minutes and ended up victorious over
nine! Match referee Phil Southall found himself in the middle of
the controvesy but was
proved right on the three big decisions - for and against Bangor.It was just four minutes into the afternoon's activities when Peter Hoy rushed in, foot high, on Mark Jones who fell to the ground. Referee Southall saw red - so did Hoy - and City were down to ten men. The red welt down Jones' stomach - and the TV replays - proved the high challenge deserved a red. Far from being put off Bangor charged forward. Marc Limbert passed forward from deep inside his own half, Ashley Stott raced onto Les Davies' flick and seemed sure to score but the bulky Duncan Roberts saved well. Llanelli responded with a Matthew Jones' header which Paul Smith palmed over before Ashley Stott went close twice in close succession. Twice Roberts saved well, once with his feet, but the big stopper could only watch as Christian Seargeant lashed wide after his second save. Happily the goal - against the odds as so often before - came on 20 minutes. A long range shot from Lee Webber seemed to be speeding wide when Ashley Stott had the presence of mind to glance the ball back across Roberts and inside the 'keepers left post. With Dave Swanick and Lee Webber winning their headers and Michael Johnston first to everything, City stood firm as Llanelli failed to transform their numerical advantage into clear cut openings. However as half time drew closer the alert Rhys Griffiths slid in Craig Jones whose side footer was parried by Paul Smith to Mark Pritchard who was unable to convert the chance under pressure from the hard working Sion Edwards. So half time, the ten men leading one nil, and grounds for optimism. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
It all changed so quickly that City fans
could have been forgiven for thinking they were down and out. The first action saw Mike Walsh shoot at Roberts from eight yards, but on 48 minutes Dave Swanick put the ball into his own net under pressure from Rhys Griffiths who was struggling to get on the end of a Mark Pritchard cross from the right. A deep diagonal from Holloway found Rhys Griffiths on the left and his low finish got the better of Swanick and goal keeper Smith from a tight angle. Llanelli were in the lead and appeared well on top, with City having to defend for their lives and hope for a change of luck. Martin Beattie came on for Sion Edwards to shore up the left side of the blues defence moments later. It came on 66 minutes when Wyn Thomas' foul mouth tirade on Referee Southall was too loud to ignore. The self opinionated defender saw red and trudged off grinning to the Reds dressing room. On 73 mins a double change - a last roll of the dice - Lee Webber and Mike Walsh made way for Kieran Killackey and Kar Noon. The spring heeled Noon seemed the ideal man to upset the leaden legged Reds defence. So it turned out as Legg was forced into a well timed last ditch tackle on the former Liverpool trainee. Then two minutes into the four added at the end of normal time, a break through. Duncan Roberts opted to punch when he might have caught, the ball ran to Christian Seargeant whose inch perfect chip hit the back of the net to the relief and delight of the huge Bangor following. In the moments that followed sanity disappeared, a pitch invasion and some theatrical diving from the giant goalkeeper. Police and stewards restored order but the remaining two minutes proved fruitless for both sides. Bangor seized the initiative in the first half of extra time and never gave it up. Ashley Stott ran into the left hand side of the box, Lee Phillips lunged and missed the ball, penalty. Up stepped captain Marc Limbert who sent Roberts the wrong way and put City ahead 3-2 seven minutes into extra time. Two minutes later it was all over. Kieran Killackey was far too fast and determined for Jones, he passed to Karl Noon who rushed at Roberts. The big goalkeeper blasted the ball against the fleet of foot striker - and could only watch as it rolled into his net! The second period of extra time was quite even, Mark Pritchard went close for Llanelli, but there was still more work for Referee Phil Southall who consulted his linesman before rightly red carding Rhys Griffiths for a callous elbow in the face of Martin Beattie. Happily the leftback was well enough to continue and pick up his medal - and join the celebrations as the final whistle blew. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Phil Southall |
The
early surprise red card departure of Peter Hoy, though controversial,
proved correct. Later he was brave enough to be equally firm with
the foul mouthed Wyn Thomas and the elbow wielding Rhys Griffiths who
looks no more than a small town bully. Also the extra time
penalty. This is not to say this was a flawless performance, but like any player - and quick to judge spectator - we all make mistakes. But Southall got the big decisions right and that is what counts in the end. |
| 50 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
The league season ended in a score draw
with visitors Neath just as it had begun at Newtown in August. In
a game dominated by roughhouse tactics from the visitors - aided and
abetted by a weak referee - Bangor would be pleased not to have
suffered further injury problems.With Lee Webber watching from the sidelines, Peter Hoy switched to central defence as Nev Powell opted for a rare five man midfield. But it was Neath who started the brighter and Matthew Rees should have opened the scoring inside three minutes when Paul Smith sliced his clearance. However the experienced stopper was able to throw himself in the way of the goalbound shot. On five minutes Chris Pridham flattened Mike Walsh - the first of many fouls from the former Afan Lido clogger - and moments later Craig Morris saved well from Marc Limbert who swept his shot goalwards after a fine deep cross from left winger Sion Edwards. Captain Limbert then tricked his way past Jenkins and crossed to Les Davies whose downwards header causes chaos but Bevan hacked clear. On 13 minutes Christian Seargeant was yellow carded for a foul on Jarrod Price which suggested that referee Adie might be imposing law and order on proceedings. On 24 minutes Bangor took the lead. Christian Seargeant set off an a mazey run into the box which he capped with a calm low finish past Morris. City built up a bit of pressure, won a couple of corners, and drew a wild challenge from Clayton Blackmore on Kieran Killackey just inside the Neath half. Christian Seargeant sent a deep, dipping strike over Morris but also just over the crossbar at the Farrar End. On the half hour the second yellow card of the afternoon as Dale Evans contested an obvious freekick awarded against Sean Cronin on half way. Seargeant went close again from 25 yards as City dominated the niggly visitors. Five minutes before the interval Ashley Stott unsettled the visitors defence with a determined run which yielded a fifth Bangor corner, but Neath cleared. Referee Adie whistled for half time with City deservedly ahead albeit by that single goal. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
In a carbon copy of the first half Bangor nearly leaked an early
goal but Rees sent his effort wide from the visitors first corner.
Pridham shot at Paul Smith either side of incidents or
clashes with Christian Seargeant which the match official seemed unable
to
prevent. Andrew Hill fired wide before Pridham finally saw yellow after yet another poorly timed clattering tackle. Moments later Hill was yellow carded for an elbow on Dave Swanick. Violent conduct? The Neath brains trust, equally apportioned between the mainstand and crowded dugout, sent on two substitutes on 65 mins with Clayton Blackmore amongst those taken off, to be replaced by Stephen Pockett. David Burrows made way for Carl Shaw. Bangor mounted a fresh challenge, Peter Hoy saw his close range effort cleared from a sixth corner, but it was the visitors who netted to the dismay of the 400 strong home support. Lee Bevan lashed home left footed from the left of the box to give Paul Smith no chance. City responded with a double substitution with Karl Noon and Craig Hutchinson coming on for Ashley Stott and Christian Seargeant. But in the minutes that followed Neath went close through Hill, Shaw and Price as City's goal led a charmed existence. Rees was yellow carded for a kick on Peter Hoy, Mel McGinness replaced Kieran Killackey who had worked hard in the midfield. City regained their composure and Mike Walsh rose to meet a deep cross from Marc Limbert but could not keep his header down. Five minutes from time further controvesy. Karl Noon raced clear on goal and was flattened by goalkeeper Morris just outside his box. With a red card expected - last man offence - referee Adie showed more leniency to confirm his poor afternoon. Morris was allowed to stay on and face the freekick which was headed clear by Cronin! Bangor forced a couple of injury time corners but could not find the net and with three added minutes played the final whislte blew. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Darren Adie |
Really
poor. Weak and wholly unprepared or unwilling to make the big
decisions. We now have the spectre of - initially at any rate - a ten club league. That could mean two visits from the likes of Neath. Mr Adie to ref them? To be perfectly fair he has not got a clue, a chance, of dealing with nasty spiteful players. He does seem a nice bloke, tries to let the game flow, tries to see the best in players. Which is fine when the players deserve it. Unfortunately Neath did nothing more than exploit this perceived weakness. You need strong refs to control some matches. |
| 49 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Two second half goals from former
favourite Marc Lloyd Williams steered Rhyl to a 2-1 win
at Farrar Road on Tuesday night. This result leaves City fighting for fifth place against visitors Neath on Saturday, with the early departure of injury victim Lee Webber a further major concern. Bangor might have taken the lead on five minutes when Stuart Graves' back header went passed both eccentric goalkeeper Lee Kendall and the outside of his post. Minutes later Mike Walsh clipped the ball over the visitors defence but Les Davies fired wide from the edge of the box. Rhyl settled and left peg Chris Roberts went close before Marc Lloyd Williams watched as his attempted chip cleared Paul Smith's crossbar. Bangor suffered a major setback when Lee Webber limped off on the half hour to be replaced by Mel McGinness. This meant Peter Hoy moved into centre defence with the Holyhead youngster filling the leftback berth, with Lee Kendall's trademark clearances dropping deep inside the Bangor half. However it was Bangor who took the lead some five minutes before the interval. Marc Limbert crossed and former blues defender Paul O'Neill made a hash of his clearance and could onl watch as Mike Walsh pounced on the opening to beat Lee Kendall's despairing dive. Swansea referee Dean John blew for half time with Bangor a goal to the good and contemplating the prospect of a league double over the Lilywhites after their 2-1 success at Belle Vue in November. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
Unhappily Bangor failed to hang onto the lead for more than a
minute after the restart. A hopeful punt from Kiwi winger Michael White kicked up off the pitch, bounced over Peter Hoy, and dropped perfectly for the ever alert Marc Lloyd Williams to beat Paul Smith from ten yards. Ten minutes later the visitors went ahead when Chris Roberts miscued across goal for Marc Lloyd Williams to head home from close range. It could have got worse for Bangor but Mark Connolly's freekick flew just off target. Sion Edwards and Les Davies has half chances for City, but on 70 minutes Bangor boss Nev Powell made his first voluntary change when Karl Noon replaced Sion Edwards and his pacey runs did unsettle the Lilywhites defence. City pressed with Marc Limbert in the thick of the action but failed to create clear cut chances. However in the closing stages, with the visitors reduced to stopping play for three drawn out substitutions, City nearly grabbed the point their late rally deserved. City player and fans shouted for a penalty when Paul O'Neill appeared to push Mike Walsh over in the box, but referee John waved play on. Marc Limbert crossed but Kendall just about kept out the wildly bouncing ball, then Ashley Stott fired across goal but there was no one on hand to fire home. Into injury time Mark Connolly fired over from twenty yards but it was City who thought they had netted the all important goal when Peter Hoy's long throw fell to Ashley Stott who seemed to have scored from close range but somehow the visitors survived. So a disappointing defeat for Bangor and one made all the worse by the injury to Lee Webber coming so soon after Martin Beattie's. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Dean John |
Riddle
me this. Its a Tuesday night, not much going on in terms of other
games in North Wales other than one match at Connahs Quay. So
where do the powers that be look for a referee? Swansea. Now I am a firm believer in visibly neutral officials, so there are concerns about those who are too local to either team. But Swansea? Surely there is someone based in or around Wrexham? Llandudno? Apart from the Green Issue, just think about the expenses claim for a 330 mile round trip. |
| 48 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Local derby football with a cuptie feel - soon
to be a thing of the past now the ten clubs league is on the way -
warmly entertained a crowd of more than 700 at Talwrn Road on Friday
evening. Bangor won by a solitary strike from Peter Hoy, but for some impressive saves from Farai Jackson they would have more than doubled that tally. However Llangefni had chances of their own and contributed fully to a open game. As a sign of things to come both sides went close in the opening minutes. First Darren Thomas for the hosts and then Sion Edwards and Marc Limbert for City. England futsal international Farai Jackson has a reputation as a fine shot stopper and proved this inside ten minutes when Ashley Stott dribbled through the home defence before unleashing a powerful twenty yarder which Jackson pushed away for a corner. Bangor continued to dominate as Sion Edwards got the better of rightback Paul Roberts to set up Ashley Stott but his rising effort cleared the crossbar. However Llangefni seemed set to take the lead when Chris Jones found himself in space on the right but as he shot goalwards Sion Edwards and Peter Hoy flung themselves into the path of the ball. On 25 minutes Marc Limbert shot wide from the edge of the box, but Llangefni were more of an attacking force now and Paul Smith did well to smother the ball at the feet of Darren Thomas. Jackson was called upon to save Les Davies' twenty yarder before the impressive Stephen Kehoe saw his looping header bounce off the crossbar from his sides' first corner ten minutes before the interval. Bangor finished strongly with Christian Seargeant sending a 25 yarder on target, then a 4th Bangor corner saw both Peter Hoy and Les Davies go close. But not close enough to prevent referee Duncan from blowing time on a goalless if eventful first period. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
The second half started with Caerwyn Roberts on at left back for
Boardman. Within a minute of the restart both sides could have scored. Les Davies lofted over Mitchell and Hogg but Jackson saved well from Ashley Stott. Llangefni countered with Darren Thomas and Dylan Owen both going close. Referee Duncan earned the wrath of the visitors when he waved play on as Ashley Stott was felled on the edge of the box. City won a 5th corner of the evening on 55 minutes but Hogg cleared, then a setback for the home side as young centre forward Kevin Lloyd limped off to be replaced by Adie Jones. Caerwyn Roberts added attacking verve to the left side and gave the home side some impetus, but as the game progressed Mike Walsh tightened his grip on midfield. City got the goal they deserved on the hour when a clever back heel from Christian Seargeant released Sion Edwards on the left. His low cross found Peter Hoy bang in front of goal and the big defender made no mistake. Bangor won a seventh corner but Lee Webber headed over, then Ashley Stott found Les Davies but his shot sped narrowly wide. Llangefni needed to win and fought back bravely, forcing successive corners which culminated in Dave Swanick clearing off the line. As time ran out Sion Edwards made way for Kieran Killackey and minutes later Karl Noon came on for Ashley Stott. An 8th corner for City saw Christian Seargeant fire well over, before Craig Hogg was yellow carded on 90 mins for dissent. And that was about it, referee Duncan blew for time with the Bangor players and supporters celebrated a hard fought win. |
||||
|
||||
|
| 47 |
|
|
THE WELSH CUP |
|
|
|
|
After a goalless first forty
minutes City scored twice either side of half time
to overcome a determined Newport side who were cheered on by a noisy
following
situated on the half way line. The visitors, who had knocked out Carmarthen, Llangefni and Welshpool, were no pushovers and in lanky striker Lewis Sommers posed a serious threat. Indeed it was the Welsh League side who started strongly and created some early pressure before giant defender Danny Heath fouled Sion Edwards on the left for a Bangor freekick. City forced a couple of corners in quick succession, from the second Lee Webber went close with a header which Wesson did well to push away. YMCA responded as Sommers, lanky and bow legged, chased down the right but was forced out by Peter Hoy. Michael Johnston stood firm, Lee Webber won his headers, and Bangor defender calmly when called upon. On the half hour his flick sent Stewart on goal and his fierce drive drew a good save from Paul Smith who was in the action again minutes later to keep out a low drive from Steve Edwards. Towards the end of the half it was anyone's game, City the more cultured but YMCA more direct. Ashley Stott won a fourth corner on the right which ended in Marc Limbert shooting at Wesson from twenty yards. The with three minutes remaining before the interval Les Davies won a freekick on the left. Marc Limbert crossed and in the resulting melee Peter Hoy shot goalwards, saw his first effort blocked, but sent the second low into the net. Moments later Limbert was again the supplier as he crossed from the right, Sion Edwards slid in but his first time effort hit the crossbar and went out for a goalkick. City went in with an important lead, to play downhill in the second half, but YMCA still far from out of the reckoning. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-1 |
||||
|
The first serious action of the second period was Bangor's second goal.
It came when Michael Johnston's long
ball sent the eager Ashley Stott in on
goal,
he rounded Gary Lynch and slid the ball passed Wesson and inside the
far
post for a two nil advantage. City won a fifth corner, Christian Seargeant fired over from outside the box, but the feeling was the Bangor were now in control. This was emphasised on 65 minutes when goalscorer Stott sent Sion Edwards rampaging into the YMCA box to rifle a low drive past the helpless Wesson for a third and conclusive strike. The usual flurry of subsitutes began on 70 mins when Newport replaced O'Brien with Yafai, but Bangor were in control and appeared to have gone further ahead when Stott again netted from close range but referee Dean John had spotted a handball and awarded a freekick. Wesson saved bravely from Marc Limbert who created some space for himself on the right, a sixth corner followed but Heath cleared. With ten minutes left and the result no longer in doubt Edwards made way for Cueto, then the only yellow card of the afternoon as Aaron Stewart tripped Lee Webber. Sion Edwards had earned his warm reception as he was replaced by Karl Noon on 85 minutes, but moments later the Welsh League side had a consolation goal as substitute Danny Cueto headed home from ten yards. A couple more late changes followed as Kieran Killackey and Mel McGinness came on for Marc Limbert and Ashley Stott, but the scoreline remained 3-1 as referee John blew to confirm City's place in May's WelshCup Final. |
||||
|
||||
|
| 46 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Bangor faced a Neath side which had beaten visitors
Cefn Druids on Saturday and who started with former blues manager
Clayton Blackmore in their line up. Under the watchful eye of referee's supremo Roger Gifford, match official Dean John enjoyed a busy afternoon which began with yellow cards for Marc Limbert and the ever abrasive Chris Pridham on eight minutes. It was the home side who went ahead when 20 year old Matthew Rees scored on 23 minutes after a mix up in the Bangor defence. Leading goalscorer Ashley Stott forced a save from Athletic goalkeeper Craig Morris as City pressed for an equaliser. On the half hour Mr John added the names of Andrew Hill and Peter Hoy. Recalled striker Les Davies thought he had levelled the scores on the stroke of half time when his clever chip cleared Morris but unfortately hit the crossbar and dropped safely for the home side. When the home side did attack they found Bangor's defence in defiant mood, with Peter Hoy leading by example in place of Lee Webber. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
At half time Bangor sent on Karl Noon for Kieran Killackey and spent
much of the second period on the attack without managing to register a
goal. Midfielder Mike Walsh saw his effort clip the crossbar, whilst Morris saved well from Les Davies. The big left footer missed the target with another shot as did substitute Karl Noon. For Neath goalscorer Matthew Rees forced a good save from Paul Smith who had a largely untroubled second period. Four more names made their way into the little black book, Michael Johnston and Les Davies for Bangor along with Jarrod Price and Stephen Pockett. The only substitution of the afternoon for Bangor was Lee Webber who replaced Michael Johnston with fifteen minutes left to play. As time ran out Morris saved well from both Les Davies and Mike Walsh but the hosts might have snatched a second goal when substitute Gavin Jones raced clear but was denied by Paul Smith who saved with his legs. So a second successive single goal defeat for Bangor who deserved better from their long weekend in South Wales but came away empty handed. |
||||
|
||||
|
| 45 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
This disappointing reverse was overshadowed by serious
back injury suffered by Sion Edwards who was stretchered off and left
the ground by ambulance. That is not to say that this was a dirty game or that Mark Whitby did much wrong. In fact it was an open, end to end game enjoyed by some 350 fans at Richmond Park and thousands more at home courtesy of S4C. Carmarthen started the stronger, blown forward by a stiff breeze and aided by a low glaring sun shining at Bangor from behind the home goal. Lee Webber has already conceded a corner, Paul Smith had shanked a clearance, and Paul Keddle blazed well over before the West Wales side took the lead on seven minutes. A run across from the left allowed Danny Thomas to shoot on goal from twenty yards. His shot appeared to catch Paul Smith unaware or unsighted and bounced into the blues net. A minute later rightback Kris Thomas was yellow carded for a late challenge on left winger Sion Edwards on half way. Within moments of this the two challenged for a high ball on the wide left, Thomas' knee made contact with Edwards' back. There was a stoppage of some five minutes before the prone figure of Sion Edwards was lifted onto a stretcher and carried off. To be fair to referee Whitby it seemed at first glance that the two had fallen awkwardly but replays showed the damage was done in mid air. City brought on Les Davies who took up a central role with Karl Noon shifting wide left. On the quarter hour a first chance for Bangor, a long throw from Peter Hoy headed goalwards by Lee Webber but held by the Neil Thomas. Hoy was then stunned by an accidental clash of heads with Keddle as Carmarthen continued to press. Paul Smith saved well from Kris Thomas' header, then the rightback won a freekick on the which Smith also held. On 35 minutes City forced their first corner following a short period of pressure, but it came to nothing. Mike Walsh and partner Christian Seargeant were working hard to gain a foothold in midfield. Ten minutes before the scheduled half time Les Davies won the ball deep inside his own half and set off on a trade mark run which took his past 3-4 home defenders but he just failed to connect once inside the box. The home side stayed on top, racking up six first half corners during concerted attacks which saw Mike Johnston fall injured. However a fourth minute of injury saw a great chance go begging when Marc Limbert got in behind the home defence and sent a low cross from the right which first Ashley Stott and then Karl Noon failed to touch home. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
The sun dipped out of sight at half time but the wind remained to
boost Bangor. Karl Noon burst into the Carmarthen box but was
tackled on the six yard line, but it was the home side who added to
their goal tally six minutes
after the restart. Paul Smith did well to save from Danny Thomas but when the resulting corner drifted into the goalmouth no one picked up the little striker who headed home from point blank. On the hour Karl Noon ran in from the left but lofted well over, but it was Carmarthen who again forced the pace with their 8th & 9th corners which Lee Webber and Les Davies combined to clear. Nathan Cotterrall shot off target for the home side before Chris Catlin was replaced by Sacha Walters on 68ms. Marc Limbert hoisted a high swirling ball in from the left which dropped invitingly for Peter Hoy but his first time effort proved straight forward for Thomas. Walters earned a yellow card for a rugby tackle on Marc Limbert before one of the key moments of the afternoon. On 75 minutes Greg Coombes tripped Marc Limbert in the box, penalty. Up stepped Karl Noon but his low drive made contact with the fallen Thomas. Les Davies found Lee Webber in the box but he headed over, then with ten minutes left Deryn Brace sent on the aptly named Jamal Easter instead of goalscorer Thomas. Tim Hicks forced a good save from Paul Smith, but City were more dangerous now and a good run from Karl Noon created an opening for Mike Walsh but his curler went wide. With five minutes left Lee Webber made way for sub Dave Swanick. Seconds later it was 2-1 as Marc Limbert latched onto Les Davies' clever through ball to calmly stroke wide of Thomas. Bangor now sensed what had seemed an unlikely draw and won a corner thorugh Les Davies. Into injury time Peter Hoy reclaimed his long throw, his driven cross invited a touch from Michael Johnston but Thomas saved smartly and that was about it. Overall a fair result although Bangor's missed penalty could have resulted in a different outcome. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Mark Whitby |
A
game well controlled by Mr Whitby who did not seekcentre stage and
generally allowed the game to flow. He
did not duck the penalty decision and my interpretation on Sion
Edwards' injury was that he could only have seen the knee in the back
had he watched the TV later. Mr Whitby looks fit, purposeful and seems to have a sense of humour. No future for him then.... |
| 44 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
City secured a fourth win of the season
over visitors Connahs Quay - but this was the closest yet. On a slippery, wet pitch Bangor had to do without Les Davies which allowed Karl Noon a start but otherwise it was a full strength line up. Attacking the Farrar End, City dominated for the opening half hour. After a first minute corner it was Ashley Stott who went close on seven minutes when he headed wide from Martin Beattie's cross. On the quarter hour Karl Noon was closed down as he prepared to shoot, then Ashley Stott ran on goal but Nomads 'keeper Paul Pritchard booted clear. Noon fired over from outside the box after Marc Limbert low pull back, then Mike Walsh passed to Sion Edwards on the left but his low drive was pushed away for a second corner by Pritchard. Christian Seargeant saw his effort held as The Nomads struggled to defend their goal. On the half hour referee Jones chose not to punish Ged Courtney as he kicked the ball away following a freekick. Two minutes later the Nomads striker tested Paul Smith for the first time but his handling was secure. But on 35 minutes City finally had the lead their advantage merited. Left winger Sion Edwards latched onto a crossfield ball from Peter Hoy and beat Tom Baker before firing home from fifteen yards. A foul by Mark Cadwallader earned a freekick which Lee Webber headed off target. Then another foul by Chris Williams set up an edge of the box freeick which Christian Seargeant curled just wide of the right post. The referee had let much go but he suddenly took centre stage with the first of seven bookings. Martin Beattie went into the book for a trip which gave Connahs Quay a freekick on their right. A deep cross found Dan Forde whose shot forced Paul Smith into action at the foot of his post. Minutes before half time Sion Edwards hit the near post with an inswinging corner from the right, the ball was scrambled clear with Cadwallader leading the charge and it took a well timed challenge from Martin Beattie to make sure Bangor went in ahead at the interval. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
City might have doubled their lead within seconds of the restart
but Ashley Stott shot weakly at the diminutive Pritchard when well
placed. But it was Connahs Quay who brought Paul Smith back into
the action with centre forward Chris Herbert twice forcing City's
'keeper to make good saves. On 52 minutes Bangor netted their second and seemed on target for a comfortable win. Marc Limbert shot on goal, Pritchard parried but leading goalscorer Ashley Stott stabbed the ball home from close range for his 27th goal of the season. Just when Bangor looked like pushing ahead, the controvesy set in. Michael Johnston was harshly adjudged to have fouled Courtney. To make matters worse he was yellow carded for what looked like a decent challenge. The freekick was curled goalwards by the lanky Sam McNutt, Paul Smith parried but Chris Herbert converted the loose ball to half the deficit. Seconds later referee Jones yellow carded Herbert for dissent. Within five minutes it was all square. McNutt crossed from the right and midfielder Danny Forde scored with a simple tap in. Bangor replied with a fifth corner which was cleared, goalscorer Forde followed Herbet into the book, and Peter Hoy lit up the afternoon with a superb piece of skill on the right which won a freekick but that came to nought. Midway through the half the substitutions began with John McAllister replacing Herbert, and Craig Hutchinson on for Christian Seargeant who had toiled in the mud. Leftback Alan Hooley was yellow carded. With some curious decisions by all three officials starting to dominate proceedings, City snatched a deserved winnner. Midfielder Marc Limbert sent Karl Noon running on goal, he kept his head to slip the ball wide of Pritchard and into the net to the delight of the St Pauls End faithful. Lee Webber was in the thick of the action throughout. He was yellow carded for a challenge with a quarter of an hour remaining, then five minutes later he was pole-axed by a high kick from Chris Williams. In between Ashley Stott missed a sitter when Karl Noon's cross seemed to bounce over his outstretched leg. But back to Webber, and as he fell to the ground referee Jones allowed play on and Paul Smith saved well from Stuart Cook and McAllister. There was one last yellow for Mike Walsh, the whistle blew, and the furious home crowd bellowed angrily at the three officials who were, at best, in curious form. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Simon Jones |
The
peevish little Swansea official showed both sides of his Jekyll &
Hyde persona in this keenly contested affair which he dominated from
half time onwards. He began quite calmly, letting things go, and for half and hour seemed keen to let dust gather on his plastic card. As Bangor attacked the Farrar End it was the nearside linesman whose hit and miss style of flagging was the centre of attention. Then it all changed, seven yellows shown in the closing fifty minutes, even though the Nomads defender whose high kick felled Lee Webber got nothing. Saturday night on MoTD the Middlesbrough striker Mido was sent off for a similar challenge on an Arsenal leftback Clichy. There is a Health & Safety issue here, a dangerous kick leading to a head injury should not be ignored. It was. Webber who seems an honest competitor was down and nearly out. There was - as usual - an assessor making notes in the stand behind my seat. For what? This performance from all three officials was scandalous, shocking, and yet all three will be back in black next weekend, all sickly grins and fat expenses. Truly dreadful, predictable and more worrying still, Mr Jones is said to be favourite for the Welsh Cup Final! Neutrals beware. If this bloke is in charge, save your money and watch Ceefax. |
| 43 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
A windswept, rain drenched afternoon on The
Traeth , a kick off ironically delayed, and a entertaining if goalless
contest between teams at contrasting ends of the table. The visitors started the brighter with Peter Hoy's barnstorming run down the right unhinging the Port defence but eventually Marcus Orlik cleared for a corner. Appeals for a penalty or handball were dismissed by Mr Southall who deemed the offence uninententional. City won a second early corner which Richard Harvey caught confidently before a run from Carl Owen set up Orlik but he fired off target. Marc Limbert's run on the right yielded a third corner which broke to Sion Edwards but his run on goal ended in a shot screwed into the side netting. The impressive Gareth Parry hit a clean long range shot at Paul Smith who duly caught comfortably. With pace to burn Carl Owen raced into the box from the left and was denied by a perfectly timed challenge Michael Johnston despite loud penalty claims from the home contingent. Gareth Parry rushed into the box but failed to hit the target before Bangor won their fifth corner of the afternoon when Christian Seargeant forced a save from Harvey. But the closing stages belonged to Port who went close twice in a matter of seconds. Carl Owen saw his close range shot bravely blocked by Michael Johnston, the ball dropped to Ryan Davies whose six yarder hit the post with Paul Smith well beaten. City scrambled to clear and were spared further concerns by a freekick for foot up. However Bangor rallied and a misjudgement from Harvey forced Rhys Roberts to head over as Ashley Stott threatened to put City ahead. A sixth Bangor corner which Lee Webber headed over before Porthmadog won their first corner in injury time. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
Port might have taken the lead in the opening moments of the
first half as Dave Hughes got in behind Peter Hoy but Paul Smith did
well to push his rising effort over. An adventurous run from Sion Ewards, a deep cross headed out by leftback Evans, and City had their seventh corner which came to nothing. On 55 minutes a promising run by Ashley Stott was snuffed out by a blatant check from Rhys Roberts which resulted in the first yellow card of the afternoon. Christian Seargeant sent the freekick arching towards the top corner but Harvey pushed over for a ninth corner. However Porthmadog survived and a telling break from Marcus Orlik encouraged Gareth Parry to shoot but again his effort flew just over. Minutes later a lengthy stoppage as Christian Seargeant and Michael Johnston collided on the half way line; happily both were able to continue after treatment. The impressive Marcus Orlik forced a good save from Paul Smith and City countered as Sion Edwards' angled drive was held Harvey. Marc Limbert passed infield but Martin Beattie fired over before, with some twenty minutes left, Kieran Killackey replaced Mike Walsh. Bangor won a tenth corner but could not create a clear opening before Orlik raced forwards but dragged his shot across goal. Karl Noon came on for Sion Edwards and within seconds latched onto a cross shot from Ashley Stott but saw his effort hit the post. The final moment belonged once again to Gareth Parry but his header, under pressure from Peter Hoy, sped just wide and a goalless draw was confirmed. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Phil Southall |
No
problems with Phil Southall here who rightly waved away penalty claims
from bangor in the opening minutes and Port later on. He managed
to keep his yellow card warm and dry for most of the game and it turned
out to be a pretty open end
to end affair. One small gripe about the lineman on the open side in the second half who got some right and some wrong with what was little more than guess work. Stay level with the back man and you have a chance, guess work will always find you out. |
| 42 |
|
|
THE WELSH CUP |
|
|
|
|
Four goals from leading marksman Ashley Stott led Bangor to a 6-0 win
against a Guisfield side who never gave up and might have scored
themselves in the second half. With a strong wind blowing across the pitch - rather than from end to end - Bangor created early chances which first Mike Walsh and then captain Marc Limbert failed to convert. But on fifteen minutes the goals started to flow. Sion Edwards' deep corner from the left was returned by Marc Limbert who low cross skidded through to Ashley Stott who crashed home from close range. Next up a break on the left by Marc Limbert who picked out Mike Walsh but his goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Neil Pryce. However on 22 mins it was 2-0 as midfielder Christian Seargeant fired on target from Marc Limbert's corner. Dave Littleford saved but Michael Johnston reacted first to sweep the lose ball into the net. Within five minutes it was 3-0 and game over. Sion Edwards again out whitted rightback Nathan Leonard and pulled the ball back to Ashey Stott who right footed curler beat Littleford at the far post. As Bangor stepped up the pressure a fifth corner - won by Peter Hoy - was crashed against the home crossbar by the big defender from six yards. Veteran striker Tim Nunnerley shot on target from 25 yards but Paul Smith saved and with minutes it was 4-0. Christian Seargeant's through ball released Ashley Stott on the right and with Sion Edwards occupying the defence's thoughts the former Preston striker slid the ball past Littleford for a well earned hatrick. It already looked bleak as half time approached for the home side but a wild challenge from rightback Nathan Leonard felled Karl Noon who dusted himself down to convert the penalty kick with a straight low drive through the punch drunk home keeper. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-5 |
||||
|
The second half was a more subdued affair, with Bangor "home and hosed"
and Guilsfield able to launch their own attacks as play took on a more
even feel. Tim Nunnerley went close for Guislfield before Karl Noon chipped just over the bar and then just wide. But on 54 mins it was 6-0 as the determined Ashley Stott shrugged off Emyr Roberts to beat Littleford from the right. It was fitting that S4C cameras were able to capture his first four goal haul for the club. Oswestry legend Statto had arranged transport and arrived with the TNS electronic board. After a quiet first half he was soon into the action when Dave Swanick replaced the injured Martin Beattie and then Andy Webb replacing a tired Graeme McGill. Moments later Craig Edwards came on for Neil Pryce. Guilsfield launched an attack down their right which ended in a double challenge from Peter Hoy who had swept across from the rightback position. In the closing stages the electronic board flashed again as Kieran Killackey came on for Sion Edwards who had outplayed first Newton and then Leonard, before Marc Limbert made way for Craig Hutchinson. In his forty or so appearances for Bangor, captain Limbert has won the respect of the blues faithful and left to a warm ovation from the 250 or so travelling fans. There was a late chance for Andy Webb but he pulled his shot across goal, and finally Wayne Tregonning blew for time and confirmed Bangor's place in the semi finals along with Rhyl and Newport YMCA, with Llanelli due to do battle at Cefn on Sunday. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Wayne Tregonning |
Mr
Tregonning controlled this with a ready smile and seemed to get most
things right. It was never a
dirty game but he managed to play the advantage when appropriate and
probably did the home side a slight favour for not red carding Leonard
for his penalty - and last man - challenge on Karl Noon which
led to the fifth goal from the penalty spot. That said he was in control but not in the way, well done. |
| 41 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
A bleak wet, windy day produced a
goalless draw for the three hundred or so spectators sheltering at
Farrar Road. With the elements backing Bangor attacking the St Pauls End, a flurry of three early corners came to little other than looping header from Lee Webber which cleared the crossbar. On ten minutes Karl Noon went closer with a driving run into the heart of the visitor's defence but his twenty yarder flashed wide. Peter Hoy headed wide from another corner but it was Martin Beattie who had to be alert to snuff out a Port Talbot attack as Martin Rose threatened on the Bangor right. On fifteen minutes Matthew Rees was yellow carded for a wild lunge on Ashley Stott moments after the two had exchanged words. Port Talbot won their first corner but it was Bangor who nearly scored. A high clearance set Les Davies clear but Rogers did well to smother his effort. Marc Limbert crashed the loose ball goalwards but the 'keeper pushed his low drive wide for a fifth Bangor corner which saw Ashley Stott and Christian Seargeant go close. On the half hour midfielder Mike Walsh sent Ashley Stott running in on goal but he was denied by a perfectly timed challenge from rightback Carl Evans. Port Talbot countered with a cross punched clear by Paul Smith, gathered by Lee John but lobbed over from 25 yards. Marc Limbert created an opening for Ashley Stott but his shot lacked power, then Karl Noon latched onto a deep cross from Peter Hoy but Rogers held comfortably. Five minutes before the interval Noon was tripped by McCreesh as he headed for goal - yellow card - but the cross was headed wide by Lee Webber. There was still time for Lee John to earn himself a yellow card for dissent and for Michael Johnston to lift the ball over the bar as John threatened with a dangerous low cross from the right. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
The visitors now had the advantage of the wind and occasional
shower as they attacked the St Pauls End. But it was City who
very nearly snatched the lead as Karl
Noon raced past the lanky Rees but fired too close to Rogers. Christian
Seargeant was yellow carded for precious little before Karl Noon
crossed but Peter Hoy directed his low header off target. The burly No 9 Rose forced Paul Smith into a good save and minutes later the big striker headed over from a inviting cross form the left. Bangor won a sixth corner but to no avail then on 63 mins Kieran Killackey was introduced in place of Christian Seargeant. Welsh Colleges cap Scott Barrow headed over for the visitors. Lee Webber went close but Ashley Stott could not believe his luck moments later when Rogers kept out his six yard strike with an incredible reflex save. With twenty minutes remaining Sion Edwards came on for Les Davies but it was Port Talbot who nearly took the lead when Martin Rose chased Lee Webber's looping backwards header but was denied by Paul Smith who was injured in the process. On 74 minutes the extent of the injury was apparent as Paul Smith left the field to be replaced by Dave Swanick with the reliable Peter Hoy taking over in goal. This clearly galvanised the wind assisted visitors and goalkeeper Hoy was called into action to save well from Rose whose angled drive threatened. James Burgin sprang to life with a thirty yarder which clipped the crossbar. In the closing minutes Port Talbot pressed with three corners but Bangor held firm, and in the four minutes of added time the home side stood up to the challenge to protect the stand in goalkeeper as far as possible. The last chance of the game fell to Mike Walsh but a crowd of Port Talbot defenders made sure the match ended goalless. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Wayne Tregonning |
My
angle on this one has to be that is is odd that a Merthyr referee is
asked to drive the lengh of the country
- on those second rate roads - to take charge of a North v South
battle. Having said that Mr Tregonning did not enjoy his finest afternoon, it was still up to Bangor to score which they failed to do and they could not blame the suntanned official for that. |
| 40 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
A fair result perhaps aftter Llanelli
had the better of the first half
and Bangor finished the stronger. The red shirted visitors might have gone ahead in the opening minutes when Lee Webber was forced to clear off the line after Andy Legg's deep freekick seemed destined for the top corner. Llanelli went close again when rangy striker Craig Williams fired wide from twenty yards. City's first chance fell to Mike Walsh but his header span wide from Sion Edwards' left wing cross. Veteran left footer Andy Legg seems to have two main purposes in the Reds side, freekicks and long throws, and one long effort earned a third corner of the afternoon which Les Davies cleared. As Llanelli pushed forwards the Bangor back four of Hoy, Johnston, Webber and Beattie worked hard to ensure Paul Smith had few clear shots to save. Bangor's best move of the game to that point followed as Peter Hoy found Les Davies who spread the play out to the left but Sion Edwards' curling cross was gathered by Ryan Harrison. Moments later the visitors went close when Craig Williams' cross was headed over by Chris Holloway. By the half hour Llanelli had the initiative. A goalbound effort from ---- was deflected over by Lee Webber for a sixth corner for the Reds. Michael Johnston needed treatment but happily for Bangor the impressive young centre back was able to play on. His partnership with Lee Webber central to resisting the visitors attacks. As the visitors continued to press Craig Williams headed against the post, and then Legg lashed wide. With ten minutes remaining Andrew Mumford fouled Marc Limbert on the edge of the Llanelli box. Christian Seargeant set the ball purposefully but his shot just cleared the crossbar. The final action of the first period was a fourth Bangor corner which Lee Webber headed goalwards but Llanelli scrambled away. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
The big defender nearly opened the scoring straight after the
restart but he could not find the target from Marc Limbert's cross.
On 53 minutes though it was Llanelli who went ahead. Mark Jones
slipped the ball past Paul Smith from close range after City
never quite cleared a corner. The visitors won their eighth and final corner on the hour mark as the tide began to turn Bangor's way, and did so more emphatically on 66 mins with the introduction of Kieran Killackey and Karl Noon for Mike Walsh and Sion Edwards. Certainly the trademark tackling of Killackey and the electric pace of Noon unsettled the visitors. A long direct clearance from Lee Webber found Les Davies on the edge of the box but his looping header cleared the bar. A header from Peter Hoy was punched over by Harrison who was now by far the busier of the 'keepers but he could only stand and watch as an eighth Bangor corner found Christian Seargeant but he fired just over from the edge of the box. Les Davies raced on goal but Harrison charged out to save just inside his box, then some calm defending from Mike Johnston released Davies on the right but his early shot crashed wide. On 83 minutes Sam Small replaced set piece Legg as the visitors continued to run down the clock at every opportunity. Their mood changed though three minutes later. Karl Noon collected the ball on half way and ran infield before sending Ashley Stott in on goal with only one outcome - a calm finish and richly deserved equaliser. The time wasting went out of the window now but it was City who pressed for the winner, Kieran Killackey forcing a good save from Harrison and from a ninth and final corner Les Davies raced back to get the better of three breaking Reds on half way before passing to Marc Limbert. His return was collected by the big striker and crossed from the left to Lee Webber who was denied on the line. And that was it, Referee Hames blew for time, a point apiece and honours just about even. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Steve Hames |
I
have to admit I like Steve Hames' style of refereeing, trying to let
the game flow and keep his cards out of sight. By and large it
worked today and the 500 or so spectators were able to enjoy an open
free flowing game. He even brought humour to the first half with a booming shout of ADVANTAGE on half way! Well done, a ref with some personality and one happy to keep off centre stage. |
| 39 |
|
|
Loosemores
Cup |
|
|
|
|
Two
defensive mistakes cost Bangor dear in this Loosemores Cup semi final
and gifted Rhyl safe passage to the final. The first mistake came in the third minute when a routine boom into the box was not dealt with. The loose ball landed at the feet of little midfielder Michael White whose low twenty yard drive did the rest. City were visible rocked by this early setback which changed the complexion of the game so early on. As Bangor attempted to respond Ashley Stott misjudged his header and Sion Edwards shot wide from the left. On twenty minutes a Marc Limbert freekick dropped to Les Davies but his clean strike was too close to Lee Kendall. Visitors Rhyl went close to extending their lead when Paul Smith saved well from want-away Lee Hunt. With twenty five minutes gone Sion Edwards raced past Mathew Holt but Kendall saved at his near post. Referee Lee Evans got into the action on the half hour as Dave Swanick was yellow carded for a foul on Lee Hunt before goalscorer White received the same punishment for a sliding challenge on Paul Smith. Play was stopped again minutes later as Mike Walsh left the field with blood pouring from a head wound following a clash of heads with George Horan. Centre half Lee Webber went close twice for City in the closing minutes, the first a 25 yard freekick tipped over by a strangely subdued Kendall, then a header over the crossbar from Limbert's cross. However it was the Lilywhites who finished the strongest with three late corners at the St Pauls End before referee Evans blew for half time. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-1 |
||||
|
Rhyl forced the first opening of the second period when the
gangly Greg Stones headed at Paul
Smith. Moments later Lee Hunt opted to dive when he might
have shot and earned a yellow card for his troubles.
White hit the target again but Smith saved comfortably, then Les
Davies and Ashley Stott set up Kieran Killackey but his shot cleared
the crossbar. On 56 minutes it was 2-0 to the visitors. A weak clearance from the blues defence again fell to Michael White who again converted from outside the box to the dismay of the home followers. Minutes later Lee Webber was carded for a clear trip on Craig Jones. On the hour mark both sides made changes. Karl Noon came on for Dave Swanick and Craig Garside replaced Matthew Holt. Referee Evans yellow carded Les Davies and George Horan following a brief skirmish and was in the thick of the action moments later as he waved away penalty claims after Ashley Stott went down in the box. A suprisingly balletic dive from the cumbersome Cameron earned Kieran Killackey a yellow card with some fifteen minutes remaining. Another half chance came and went as Lee Webber headed over from a Sion Edwards cross before Kieran Killackey was replaced by Mel McGinness. Big Les Davies hammered a shot on goal but Kendall gathered at the second attempt and the visitors withdrew Cameron in favour of Chris Sharp. Les Davies was at the heart of Bangor's efforts and his layoff invited a shot from Marc Limbert but Kendall saved as he did again moments later when Ashley Stott raced clear on the left. The final action saw City force a couple of corners with Sion Edwards and Marc Limbert both going close, but it was not to be. |
||||
|
||||
|
| 38 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
After having made some caustic comments in midweek about the
state of the Caernarfon pitch Caersws boss Mike Barton must have been
glad to be back on the green green grass of home for the visit of
Bangor City on Saturday. He would also have been encouraged by the absence through injury and suspension of defenders Martin Beattie and Mike Johnston plus midfielder Christian Seargeant. If that was the case then he would have been delighted by the performance of the three match officials. The Recreation Ground pitch had clearly been rolled, the mud flattened a touch, but the divots and scars of previous battles remained to make passing impossible. Nevertheless City could well have gone ahead on ten minues when Les Davies headed on to Ashley Stott who ran at goal but lashed wide from twenty yards. Minutes later Dave Swanick departure added to Bangor's problems although substitute Mel McGinness had a fine game as stand in rightback. Caersws forced their first opportunity on twenty minutes when Aeron Edwards broke down the left but his low cross evaded Jon Slater who slid in with the goal at his mercy. On the half hour Sion Edwrads was booked for moaning to himself after being stamped on by Andy Thomas. Moments late the home side had the lead. A traditional long ball swung out to the Caersws left, Edwards fed the overlapping Mark Davies whose low drive beat Paul Smith and rolled in at the far post. City who had been disappointed by some strange decisons by referee Kerry Morgan now had a mountain to climb. That was the final meaningful action of the first half as the sides left the field to a claw the mud off their boots and hear the manager's thoughts. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
The second half began with Karl Noon replacing injury victim Sion
Edwards but it was Mel
McGinnes who caught the eye with a run on the right, a deep cross
but Andy Mulliner was able to catch Mike Walsh' looping header. On 50 minutes leftback Mike Sawtell was yellow carded for handball on the half way line. Ashley Stott found time and space on the left but sliced his shot wide. On the hour former Llandyrnog striker Jon Slater was replaced by local lad Neil Mitchell. City then enjoyed a period of pressure that began with a corner won on the right by Les Davies, crossed by captain Marc Limbert which caused confusion in the home defence with goalkeeper Mulliner unwilling to come out for crosses. Peter Hoy sent in a trademark long throw but Caersws eventually cleared. The next move involved the inevitable controvesy and capped an unhappy afternoon for the blue - or in the case yellow - contingent. Karl Noon carved on opening on the left, fired goalwards and as the ball bounced in the box, leading goalscorer Ashley Stott was pushed over. Penalty? Play on. In the moments that followed Peter Hoy was yellow carded for a supposed trip on Mark Davies before Ben Ogivly followed him into the referee's book for a similar offence on the Caersws right. With fifteen minutes to go Ben Ogilvy was replaced by Kieran Killackey as Bangor tried to force the play, although in fairness the home side did not threaten and concentrated on time wasting rather than attack. Midifelder Killackey was quickly into the action as Peter Hoy's long throw dropped in the box but the former Altrincham man saw his shot bounce before Mulliner gathered. Mr Morgan gave a foul against Les Davies as he won a header in open play then awarded the big left footer a free kick as he tripped on the right. City made one final surge with Karl Noon bursting into the box but Mulliner made a good one handed save to concede a later corner which caused more confusion in the Caersws box but was finally scrambled clear. The home side were soon able to celebrate a crucial victory in their relegation fight but for City three points dropped in the battle for third place with coast rivals and others. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Kerry Morgan |
A wretched performance from the curly haired Morgan who made
probably a dozen bad decisions in the ninety or so minutes, with as
many as ten favouring the home side for whom mouthpiece Gari Lewis was
visibly and verbally influential. For the opeing half hour Mr Morgan gave Caersws everything, every evenly contested ball ended in a freekick for the home side. Every shout from the home bench heeded, every command from Gari Lewis, back from his rugby sojourn. His worse moment was missing a foul on Sion Edwards but yellow carding the winger for moaning to himself about the injury suffered. (This happened within ten yards of me and Sion did not abuse the official or contest the decision). The penalty decision in the second period was poor, the interpretation of fouls woeful. He did favour Bangor once when Lee Webber blocked a Caersws forward on the edge of the box. I would estimate he made more than a dozen poor decisions with ten or more favouring the home side. |
| There
is no will within the goodly gentlemen of Nepturn Court to improve this
league, it is easier to deny a problem
exists than to start looking for a solution. Nothing wrong
nothing to fix. |
| 37 |
|
|
NWCFA
Cup |
|
|
|
|
Bangor
were knocked out of the North Wales Coast FA Cup at Farrar Road by
Cymru Alliance championship chasers Llandudno who led 2-0 at half time
and never looked back. The Bangor line up showed a mixture of experience and youth with young Jack Millward in goal, along with Gareth Sharpe, Anthony Wilson, Sion Davies, Clive & Josh Williams included with more seasoned campaigners Ben Ogilvy, Kieran Killackey and Craig Hutchinson. Llandudno were close to full strength and it was the visitors who took the lead through Gwyn Peters. The former Caernarfon striker netted on 20 minutes. The goal of night came when Lee Thomas sent an spectacular overhead kick beyond Jack Millward following a good cross from the left. The half time scoreline stood at 2-0. |
||||
| HALF TIME 2-0 |
||||
|
The only goal of the second period came midway through the half
from former Llanrwst striker Bryn Jenkins,
who was on hand to head home from another inviting cross. City boss Nev Powell sent on substitutes Sion Edwards and Caio Iwan but Llandudno held firm, with one time Colwyn Bay defender Neil Coverley in command at the back. So City's interest in the NWCFA Cup ended, good luck to Llandudno and some valuable experience for the younger lads who would have enjoyed the chance to play with and against more experienced oppostion. |
||||
|
||||
|
| 36 |
|
|
THE WELSH CUP |
|
|
|
|
After two hours of end to attack and
defence it all
came down to penalties. Some people describe this as
a lottery and - if so - the winning ticket came Bangor's way thanks to
some great shot stopping from goalkeeper Paul Smith whose skill and
ability won the day.. It all started brightly for Bangor who stole the early initiative and dominated the opening quarter hour, winning a couple of early corners and forcing Dave Jones to save when Peter Hoy's header threatened to break the deadlock. Minutes later Marc Limbert crossed for Lee Webber whose header flew over from six yards. Les Davies shot on target but Jones held comfortably. On twenty minutes Aber sprang to life with a corner which was cleared, five minutes later the hugely impressive Bari Morgan had their first chance with a low drive from outside the box which fired across the face of goal. The diminutive midfielder then forced Paul Smith into action with a low diving save. Ten minutes remained when Bangor suffered a setback as Michael Johnston was reluctantly forced off with injury, and replaced by Dave Swanick. Peter Hoy moved into central defence. Bari Morgan went close to putting Aber ahead with a clean strike which struck the crossbar, the lanky Da Silva headed the rebound over from close range. Moments later Luke Sherborn also hit the woodwork after latching onto Geraint Passmore's freekick. The final action of a long first half saw Aber break from a Bangor corner, Da Silva waste his chance but Kelloway forced a good save from Paul Smith who was injured in the process. In all six minutes of stoppage time were added before the teams left the field with both sides feeling they might have gone ahead with a little more luck. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
With Bari Morgan still a central figure Aber carved out a couple of
chances soon after the restart, with first Geraint Passmore and then
the little midfielder himself going close. City resonded with a spell
of pressure which yielded three corners in quick succession but no
clear cut opening. On the hour mark Marc Limbert passed to Mike Walsh but a deflection took the pace of his shot. Referee Adie was now showing yellow cards at will and added Dave Swanick and Bari Morgan to that of Christian Seargeant who had been noted minutes earlier. On 65 minutes Ashley Stott ran on goal but Jones saved well at his near post before Les Davies thrashed the rebound just over the crossbar. On 72 minutes City sent on Sion Edwards for Karl Noon with captain Limbert reverting to his customary rightwing berth. Passmore was carded for a lunge on the reliable Peter Hoy who defended well throughout. The final moments of the ninety minutes saw veteran striker Andy Evans shoot wildly from the right and Ashley Stott lift the ball over from ten yards from a Peter Hoy freekick. Finally Kristian Edwards went for glory but Lee Webber headed the ball away from goal for a corner which was quickly cleared. So to extra time. The first period began with an Aberystwyth corner before Ashley Stott raced into the home penalty area but was denied by a desperate challenge from Aneurin Thomas. Mike Walsh shot wide, more cards this time for Stuart Roberts and Peter Hoy as Aber won a string of corners as they pressed for the winner. The second period saw Bangor the dominant with Les Davies on target, Ashey Stott shooting into the side netting and Lee Webber forcing a save from Jones. But despite all this it ended up all square and penalties awaited. Aber went first, Bari Morgan netted as did Marc Limbert for City, one all. Paul Smith saved from Passmore, then Christian Seargeant fired over, still one all. Stuart Robert scored as did Lee Webber, two all. Then Luke Sherborn saw Paul Smith save his kick before Peter Hoy converted with confidence, advantage City at 3-2 (out for four each). This meant Andy Evans had to score but Paul Smith saved again! A tremendous effort from the goalkeeper and one which put Bangor through to meet Guilsfield in March. |
||||
|
||||
|
| 35 |
|
|
LOOSEMORES CUP |
|
|
|
|
A late equaliser from Mike Walsh means Bangor and Rhyl
are both very much in the hunt for a Loosemore's Cup final date, with
an away goal and hme advantage favouring the blues. It was an evening of contrasting styles with the hosts relying on the long ball style directed at Lee Hunt and his strike parnter Dave Cameron, whilst visitors Bangor tended to play through midfielders Seargeant and Walsh. The opening exchanges saw Peter Hoy head over from a Michael Johnston freekick, Sion Edwards strike a rising drive into the crowd and Kiwi winger Michael White cause City one or two problems on the right which resulted in a yellow card for right back Hoy. City's rightback responded with a well timed tackle as the left footer tried to break before Seargeant and Rhyl striker Cameron both went close. Former Bangor rightback Mark Connolly got too much height on his 20 yard freekick. As ever "want away" striker Lee Hunt was a handful and he fired narrowly wide from the right but Lee Webber and defensive ally Michael Johnston stood firm. As half time closed in both sides won corners which came to nothing but the outstanding moment of the first half belonged to Christian Seargeant who jinked past four Rhyl defenders on the edge of the box before his goalbound shot was deflected over for a sixth Bangor corner. However on the stroke of half time Rhyl had loud claims for a penalty after Peter Hoy slipped on the ball and moments later Lee Hunt forced a good save from former team mate Paul Smith. But the half time whistle blew on a goalless first half which had seen City bag six corners to the homes side's two. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
Bangor started the second period brightly with Christian
Seargeant and Mike Walsh combining to set up Ashley Stott but he just
failed to make clean contract. The first goal of the evening came nine minutes after the restart. A deep freekick from the left by - cleared the goalmouth but was headed home by Lee Hunt from beyond the back post. The visitors were shocked but not shaken and replied with a seventh corner of the evening moments after striker signing Karl Noon had replaced Sion Edwards. The kick resulted in a shot from Mike Walsh which Lee Kendall saved with his feet. Midway through the half, with Bangor on the attack, leftback Chris Roberts was lucky to escape with a yellow card from Mr Tregonning after his wild challenge on Marc Limbert right by the blues dugout. Kendall was annoying the visitors with his theatrical time wasting at ever opportunity but was red faced as he dropped Marc Limbert's cross but scrambled to regather on the line. Moments later Karl Noon picked out Christian Seargeant but his shot sped wide. A Les Davies header went close for Bangor, the determined Lee Webber defended well as Rhyl retailiated, before the pacey Karl Noon created an opening for Ashley Stott but he sent his effort wide. On 83 minutes though City had the goal they more than deserved. Les Davies had the ball on the right, picked out Christian Seargeant infield who passed directly forward to his midfield partner Mike Walsh on the edge of the Rhyl box. He controlled the ball and turned smoothly and beat Kendal with a low corner finish. And that was about it, both sides pushed for a winner with Bangor finishing strongly, but it ended up all square with all to play for at Farrar Road. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Wayne Tregonning |
A bit
lenient on a couple of crunching tackles and like most people he had
little idea how to deal with the
rather odd Lee Kendall. But Referee Tregonning did what he could to keep the game flowing and neither side could grumble too strongly over his decision making. |
| 34 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
An
early freekick expertly converted by midfielder Christian Seargeant was
the difference between these two sides at Farrar Road. Leading goalscorer Ashley Stott might have put City ahead in the opening minutes but his early strike lacked power and goalkeeper Dave Jones gathered easily. But minutes later a second foul from behind from Matthew Roberts yielded a Bangor freekick on the right hand edge of the penalty area. With the obvious option of a cross to the far post Christian Seargeant instead bent the ball low to the right of the wall and into the near corner for a ninth minute lead. Les Davies threatened to add a second goal but rightback Sion James was on hand. Aber countered through University student Geraint Passmore but his effort was deflected off target. As time ran out Referee Adie took the names of Martin Beattie and Sion James but City retained the lead and left the field with the all important clean sheet. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
Soon after the restart City might have doubled their advantage
when Ashley Stott went close before Lee Webber hit the woodwork with
Jones well beaten. With ten minute to play manager Nev Powell sent on Karl Noon for his City debut. The former Liverpool youngster responded with a searing right wing run that took his past Matthew Roberts. His cross was met by Ashley Stott whose clean header was just too close to Jones who was able to clutch the ball in his midrift. Aber unleashed their secret weapon with some fifteen minutes left on the clock when the towering Tiago DeSilva came on for Andy Evans whose luck was out. But the hero in the final analysis was goalkeeper Paul Smith who pulled off a number of fine saves, including one at the death from midfielder Luke Sherborn who thought he had salvaged a point for the Seasiders. So a deserved if gritty win for Bangor which strengthened the sides chances of pushing for a top four finish. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Darren Adie |
W |
| 33 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Leading 5--0 at half time Bangor took their foot off the pedal a touch
in the second half and allowed the home side a shred of respectability.
But it could not distract from a scintillating performance which
at one point threatened to run towards double figures. Central to this wholesale rout were four goals from the impressive Ashley Stott who opened the scoring on nine minutes. Moments earlier Christian Seargeant had skimmed The Druids crossbar with superb freekick, but Ashley Stott made amends with a clever turn which wrongfooted former Caernarfon defender Wayne Phillips following a Peter Hoy long throw from the right. Sion Edwards was prominent in the opening stages and won a succession of corners, one of which Lee Webber sliced narrowly wide, and delivered an inviting cross which young Mullock bravely punched away as Les Davies lept to head home. City continued to press and on 17 minutes it was 2-0. Les Davies sped past Timmy Edwards and crossed for strike partner Ashley Stott to head home from six yards. Cefn were far from beaten and goalkeeper Paul Smith did well to save from the home side's outstanding player Geraint Lewis after a good cross from Darren Williams. The save grew in importance moments later when, on 29 minutes, Timmy Edwards' relief at scrambling the ball off his goalline was shortlived as Christian Seargeant chipped the keeper - and everyone else - from 35 yards. City had a fifth corner of the evening cleared but it scarcely mattered just four minutes later when Ashley Stott rounded Timmy Edwards to score from wide on the right and extend the lead to 4-0. And complete a first half hatrick for the former Preston apprentice. Five minutes before the interval it got even better. Marc Limbert slid the ball along the line to Les Davies whose singled minded run on goal ended in one of those rip roaring drives which Mullock could not hope to stop. The half time whistle saw the blues applauded off the field - in stark contrast to the dejected Ancients. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-5 |
||||
|
The first action of the second period was a yellow card for
substitute Mike Thomspon for
a rash challenge on City's captain Marc Limbert. On 52 minutes
the home fans finally had something to celebrate as Geraint Lewis got the better of Paul Smith who
had parried his initial effort but could little about the follow up
effort. Former Wrexham striker Karl Connolly then marked his Druids debut with a yellow card for a wild challenge, City forced their seventh corner and had a "goal" disallowed for offside. Les Davies went close as his left foot drive flashed across goal. Bangor sent on Craig Hutchinson for the hugely impressive Christian Seargeant on the hour but the home side went close to reducing the deficit when the hard working Lewis headed wide. On 66 minutes the sixth and final goal of the evening - and a fourth for Ashley Stott - who turned Wayne Phillips just inside the Cefn half to slide the ball wide of the badly exposed Mullock from twenty yards out on the left. City forced a couple more corners before Marc Limbert made way for Mel McGinness and Lewis again went close but Paul Smith saved. In truth the blues custodian had made some timely interventions when called upon. With ten minutes left Lee Webber passed the captains armband he had collected from Marc Limbert into the capable hands of Peter Hoy who moved into central defence as Dave Swanick came on. There were late bookings for Andrew Edgar - who looked sick of the sight of Les Davies - and Mark Powell for persistent moaning. City finished on the attack and the final whistle blew on another emphatic win at Plaskynaston, warmly applauded once more by the sizeable travelling support. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB A P Harms |
A
reasonable performance from Mr Harms in a match that was over as a
contest before the bovril was cool enough to drink. He did his
best to let the game flow and contributed to the overall spectacle by
doing so. |
| 32 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
A
barnstorming performance from re-instated midfielder Craig Hutchinson
led Bangor to a single goal win
over a depleted but plucky Welshpool side. That the game
was played - albeit in difficult conditions - was a testament to the
dedication and hard work of groundsman Mike Frazer. Attacking the Farrar End it was the home side who made the early running. Lee Webber shot wide from a third minute corner, Les Davies sped past Ross Jefferies to cross from the left but Ashley Stott failed to make enough contact, and goalkeeper McGuigan saved from Davies' left footed effort. With midfielder Craig Hutchinson warming to his task in midfield Ashley Stott had a shot blocked before a telling header to Sion Edwards set up a chance for Les Davies but shot wide. The dangerous Steve Rogers countered for Welshpool with a weaving run past Lee Webber but he snatched at his shot and hit the side netting. Young winger Will Thomas then dashed through midfield but his progress was checked by Webber on the edge of the box. With half time approaching Will Thomas went close, Les Davies sliced off target and then - the seemingly inevitable controvesy! A high clearance sent Steve Rogers chasing into the Bangor box. Paul Smith ran to his right and caught the ball before Rogers threw himself at the goalkeeper who crashed to the floor. Referee Huw Jones considered his options, awarded Bangor a freekick but opted not to show the Shrewbury based striker any variety of card. So both teams left the field with eleven men but no goals to show for their efforts as a light rain added to the treacherous nature of the surface. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
Playing towards the St Pauls End with the backing of a light
breeze and some 500 supporters, City were keen to press home their
advantage. Ashley Stott span past Ross Jefferies but McGuigan
saved well. Five minutes after the interval Welshpool brought on
17 year old Ian McLeod
for Will Thomas. Minutes later Mel McGinness replaced Christian
Seargeant
who hobbled off to a warm ovation. On 55 minutes City had
the lead. Peter Hoy hurtled a long throw from the right which Lee Webber headed on at the near post. The previously unbeatable McGuigan was frozen to the spot as the ball looped in off the far post and bounced in the goal. The visitors nearly struck back after Calvin Davies' twenty yarder deflected to Steve Rogers but Paul Smith flung himself to the ground and blocked the shot. Lee Webber was called into action to block a goalbound shot from the ensuing corner. On the hour Bangor might have doubled their advantage when both Ashley Stott and Mel McGinness failed to convert Marc Limbert's cross, although McGuigan did well to palm the loose ball away to safety. City had the advantage now and Ashley Stott went close before Michael Johnston headed just wide from a fifth corner of the afternoon. Richard Harris was yellow carded on 66 minutes for what looked like dissent. A couple more corners followed, Craig Hutchinson was yellow carded for a foul on Rogers, and Les Davies fired wide from a low cross. With ten minutes left Chris Venables went into the book for a blatant block on Ashley Stott who had enjoyed an outstanding afternoon. In the time that remained City racked up their eighth and ninth corners, Sion Edwards and Craig Hutchinson made way for Ben Ogilvy and Dave Swanick, City survived the odd anxious moment and finally after three minutes of added time Mr Jones blew for time. A thoroughly entertaining game, a great contest and three important points. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Huw Jones |
When
the visitors strip sponsors are "Jones of Oswestry" and the match
referee is "Jones of Morda" there is some cause for concern. That
is not to infer a family connection. But Mr Jones, who let the
unpleasant Rogers off without so much as a yellow card for a wild lunge
on Paul Smith hardly
helped his position of impartiality by enjoying a laugh and joke
with the visitors No 9 before the second half got underway. It has to be said that those who feel it necessary to invent wierd, wonderful and woefully stupid ways of granting Cardiff City the best of both worlds (English football and Welsh representation) would be better employed finding a way to sort out the simply abysmal scenario that surrounds the match referees. |
| 31 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Bangor's hopes of causing a second upset of
the season at Park Hall took a blow before kick off when Les Davies was
injured in the warm up and only played after intensive treatment.
However the big striker still managed to send
several efforts on target and lead the line against former blues
defender Phil Baker. The early openings ended in Scott Ruscoe and then Marc Limbert firing off target, then despite the injury Les Davies forced the first save of the game from Paul Harrison with a twenty yard strike. City applied some pressure on the quarter hour mark with three corners which culminated in Mike Johnston heading wide at the back post. Carl Lamb's long range shot was easily held by Paul Smith but on 21 minutes the home side had the lead. Lamb got the better of Lee Webber on the Bangor left, fired on target but saw Paul Smith parry his effort. The former blues striker kept his head to pick out Alfie Carter in front of goal and his calm finish did the rest. Bangor were stung into action with Les Davies testing Harrison twice more with low strikes from outside the box. Three minutes from time Bangor went close again when goalkeeper Harrison and Phil Baker hesitated and allowed Ashley Stott to nip and head for goal but sadly his effort went just wide. In the final action of the half a long throw from Peter Hoy on the right was bundled goalwards by Lee Webber but Harrison was able to catch the bouncing ball and the chance passed. The half time whistle saw Bangor unfortunate to be trailing by that solitary goal. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
TNS might have doubled their
lead in the opening minute of the second half when Carl Lamb sped
past Lee Webber but the big defender just did enough to force him
to shoot wide. City bounced back through Sion Edwards who found Ashley Stott whose shot span wide. Referee Richards yellow carded Marc Limbert on half way before City's left winger again found Ashley Stott but fired over from outside the box. Bangor pressed again as midfield general Christian Seargeant saw his goalbound effort deflected upwards but a linesman's flag ended the ensuing melee. Seargeant ran through the Saints midfield but screwed his shot wide, then on 68 mins John Toner made way for left winger Luke Holden as the home side re-organised. A minute later it seemed all over as TNS went 2-0 up. A corner from the right was headed home by Carl Lamb who rose at the near post in front of the blues defence. Bangor tried to respond with a fifth corner of the afternoon but Lee Webber headed narrowly wide. On 71 mins a double substitution with Craig Hutchinson and Dave Swanick coming on for Sion Edwards and Martin Beattie. But it was the home side who might have gone further ahead. Paul Smith did well to keep out efforts from Alfie Carter and was backed up by Lee Webber who bravely blocked the follow up effort. John Leah's shot was also saved by the assured Smith who stuck to his task with purpose. However Bangor were not done, and in the style that brought an unlikely draw out of the Llangefni game, struck late. Another great right wing cross from Peter Hoy was nodded home by the ever willing Ashley Stott from point blank range, his fiffth goal in successive games. Game on, despite the fourth official showing only two minutes of added time remained! In the closing moments Peter Hoy won a corner on the right and trotted into the Saints box. Ken McKenna responded by sending on substitute centre half Rob Williams. Marc Limbert crossed and with the two hundred strong blues support willing him on Peter Hoy rose at the back post - but his thumping header sped just wide. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Ceri Richards |
Another
calm and sensible "display" from Mr Richard who kept his cool and let
the game flow as much as possible. |
| 30 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
After a fairly even opening spell Bangor took the lead midway through
the first half and literally never looked back as they chalked up
another convincing win. The early exchanges saw former Colwyn Bay marksman Darren Wright go close for Airbus before Les Davies had an effort blocked. Dan Desormeaux had a clean shot held by Paul Smith and Ashley Stott went close for City as the sides continued to trade blows. Airbus has totted up four corners in the opening 20 mins before former Flint striker Phil Molineaux raced clear and was about to shoot on goal when Michael Johnston halted his progress with a perfectly timed tackle. Les Davies went close with a clean header which Ashley Crossthwaite held, but the former Heswall youngster was powerless to prevent City from taking the lead on 23 mins. Midfielder Christian Seargeant won the ball and aimed a pass forwards which John Davies defelcted into the path of leading goalscrorer Ashley Stott who netted confidently. Moments later Les Davies forced another good save off Crossthwaite but the visitors struck back to win a corner on the right which was cleared. On the half hour Desormeaux went close from another corner before Paul Hallows was yellow carded for a lunge at Mike Walsh. On 41 mins it was 2-0 when Les Davies unselfishly slid Sion Edwards in to drive low past the bulky young 'keeper from twelve yards. One minute later, with Airbus visibly wilting under the pressure, Bangor went three ahead as Marc Limbert crossed City's third corner, Michael Johnston headed on and Ashley Stott lifted the ball into the roof of the net from close range. There was a couple of minutes of play before referee Lee Evans whistled for the break. |
||||
| HALF TIME 3-0 |
||||
|
The first action of the second period saw Mark Allen attempt to
chip Paul Smith and force City's keeper to push the ball over for
another corner. On 52 mins Adam Hunter was replaced by James
McIntosh whose first challenge was a wild barge on Martin Beattie who
lay prone for some time. Quite how this merited only a yellow
card is hard to understand. There was a danger that City might become involved in retribution but some calm words from the bench quickly ended such fears and Peter Hoy's thunderous strike yielded a corner which Christian Seargeant lifted just over. On 65 mins a superb low cross from Les Davies set up Mike Walsh whose first time shot was brilliantly saved by Crossthwaite. On 70 mins it was 4-0. Sion Edwards gained possession in the centre circle and passed to Ashley Stott on the right. His early cross was controlled and side footed home - right footed - by Les Davies from six yards. The visitors won another corner as they strove to hit back but Gareth Sudlow headed wide when well placed. Mike Walsh then fired wide and got yellow carded for a foul on the pedestrian Gareth Owen who looked well short of match fitness. With twelve minutes on the clock Alan Hooley replaced Paul Hallows but City continued to attack as Pater Hoy charged down the right, passed to Christian Seageant but his dipping volley cleared the crossbar. With ten minutes left Craig Hutchinson made a welcome return and Mike Walsh left the field to a wam ovation after another impressive performance. With moments it was 5-0 as Peter Hoy passed to Les Davies and his low strike beat the beleagured Crossthwaite at his near post. There was still time for touch more controvesy as substitute Gareth Caughter was lucky to stay on the pitch after a spiteful elbow in the face of Martin Beattie, but again yellow was preferred over red. Another blues corner, a bit more anxiety in the Planemakers defence, but it ended 5-0 and a third emphatic win on the trott. |
||||
|
||||
|
| 29 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Bangor
brushed aside Caernarfon who gave a debut to new goalkeeper Mike Jago
but he fared little better than young Vernon whom he replaced following
the Boxing Day battering. City were able to field the same eleven but could not muster the high voltage start with early goals at The Oval. There were early chances though, with both Mike Walsh and Christian Seargeant going close before left peg James Thomas fired wide for The Canaries. The sizeable Bank Holiday crowd then saw debutant Jago save in spectacular fashion from Peter Hoy whose booming header looked liked opening the scoring. A series of three corners ensued. Les Davies rattled the crossbar and Sion Edwards' fierce volley was deflected over the bar. Caernarfon countered through Ojapah who forced a save from Paul Smith and Paul Addo who sliced wide when well placed. Christian Seargeant was yellow carded for a two footed challenge on Layton Maxwell who was the pick of the home side in the opening period. Ashley Stott was in the thick of the action when his turn and shot sped narrowly wide, then Paul Addo might have done better as ran in on goal but Paul Smith saved with his feet to the relief of the blue contingent. Just after the half hour Sion Edward crossed from the left, Les Davies headed downwards and Jago saved well at the foot of the post. A worried Bamber relayed the bad news that the goalkeeper was injured in the process. Four minutes before the interval Lee Webber was carded for a pull on Addo who threatened to break away on the right. From the freekick Kieran Quinn latched onto a Paul Smith punch but screwed his effort wide. Sion Edwards again got the better of Mike Jones but Ashley Stott's left footer span wide, then the moment most Bangor fans thought they had scored. A deep cross from the right from Les Davies, a header from Marc Limbert at the back post, but the wrong side of the upright. There still time for Jago to drop another Sion Edwards cross but the jittery 'keeper dropped on the lose ball and finally Mr Petch blew for half time. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
Caernarfon forced the first opening of the second period with a
freekick which Layton Maxwell delivered and Paul Smith saved on th e
ground. On 52 mins Bangor
had the lead. Marc Limbert's freekick found Les Davies infront
of goal with defenders in his path. His pass let in Sion Edwards who battled for possession before
sending a low drive beyond Jago and into the net from eight yards
out on the left. There was stoppage moments later as Les Davies and Mike Walsh recovered from a clash of heads. Then a brave decision from Referee Petch who red carded Mark Thomas for a poorly timed tackle on Ashley Stott who also conceded a penalty. Marc Limbert stepped up but Jago produced a fine diving save to keep the home side still in the game. Bangor won a fifth corner and Peter Hoy again headed cleanly on target but Jago saved. On the hour the lightweight Ojapah then made way for the towering Eddie Whelan who slotted in at centreback but almost equalised with a tremendous header which Christian Seargeant blocked on the line. Five minutes later City doubled their lead as Sion Edwards reacted quickly to a loose ball on the edge of the box to fire home. Referee Petch then yellow carded the jubilant youngster for lifting his shirt - not over his head - but baring his chest! On 67 mins Caernarfon were down to nine men as Bobby Jones was shown red for violent conduct on the half way line. No sooner had he trudged off than Christian Seargeant sent City 3-0 up as he latched onto Les Davies' through ball to get the better of the lunging Whelan and slide the ball beyond Jago. With fifteen minutes left Bangor went four up. Ashley Stott collected the ball off Martin Beattie and raced past the awkward Whelan on the left to send a curling shot inside the right hand post. Game well and truly over. Ten minutes remained as Mel McGinness came on for Christian Seargeant in centre midfield, then Martin Beattie was injured in a full on challenge with substitute Sampson on the half way line. Beattie was replaced by Ben Ogilvy who took over at left back. Jago saved well from Les Davies who struck the ball cleanly from twelve yards (ouch!) and Ashley Stott netted again but his header was ruled out for offside. Josh Williams replaced Sion Edwards in the closing minutes and the young winger left the field to a well earned applause. And that was about it, the final whistle blew with the Canaries doubtless grateful they would not face Bangor again for a while.... |
||||
|
||||
|
| 29 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Bangor brushed aside Caernarfon who gave a debut to
new
goalkeeper Mike Jago but he fared little better than young Vernon whom
he
replaced following the Boxing Day battering. City were able to field the same eleven but could not muster the high voltage start with early goals at The Oval. There were early chances though, with both Mike Walsh and Christian Seargeant going close before left peg James Thomas fired wide for The Canaries. The sizeable Bank Holiday crowd then saw debutant Jago save in spectacular fashion from Peter Hoy whose booming header looked liked opening the scoring. A series of three corners ensued. Les Davies rattled the crossbar and Sion Edwards' fierce volley was deflected over the bar. Caernarfon countered through Ojapah who forced a save from Paul Smith and Paul Addo who sliced wide when well placed. Christian Seargeant was yellow carded for a two footed challenge on Layton Maxwell who was the pick of the home side in the opening period. Ashley Stott was in the thick of the action when his turn and shot sped narrowly wide, then Paul Addo might have done better as ran in on goal but Paul Smith saved with his feet to the relief of the blue contingent. Just after the half hour Sion Edward crossed from the left, Les Davies headed downwards and Jago saved well at the foot of the post. A worried Bamber relayed the bad news that the goalkeeper was injured in the process. Four minutes before the interval Lee Webber was carded for a pull on Addo who threatened to break away on the right. From the freekick Kieran Quinn latched onto a Paul Smith punch but screwed his effort wide. Sion Edwards again got the better of Mike Jones but Ashley Stott's left footer span wide, then the moment most Bangor fans thought they had scored. A deep cross from the right from Les Davies, a header from Marc Limbert at the back post, but the wrong side of the upright. There still time for Jago to drop another Sion Edwards cross but the jittery 'keeper dropped on the lose ball and finally Mr Petch blew for half time. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
Caernarfon forced the first opening of the second period with a
freekick
which Layton Maxwell delivered and Paul Smith saved on th e ground.
On
52 mins Bangor had the lead. Marc Limbert's freekick found Les
Davies
infront of goal with defenders in his path. His pass let in Sion Edwards who battled for possession before
sending a low drive beyond Jago and into the net from eight yards out
on the left. There was stoppage moments later as Les Davies and Mike Walsh recovered from a clash of heads. Then a brave decision from Referee Petch who red carded Mark Thomas for a poorly timed tackle on Ashley Stott who also conceded a penalty. Marc Limbert stepped up but Jago produced a fine diving save to keep the home side still in the game. Bangor won a fifth corner and Peter Hoy again headed cleanly on target but Jago saved. On the hour the lightweight Ojapah then made way for the towering Eddie Whelan who slotted in at centreback but almost equalised with a tremendous header which Christian Seargeant blocked on the line. Five minutes later City doubled their lead as Sion Edwards reacted quickly to a loose ball on the edge of the box to fire home. Referee Petch then yellow carded the jubilant youngster for lifting his shirt - not over his head - but baring his chest! On 67 mins Caernarfon were down to nine men as Bobby Jones was shown red for violent conduct on the half way line. No sooner had he trudged off than Christian Seargeant sent City 3-0 up as he latched onto Les Davies' through ball to get the better of the lunging Whelan and slide the ball beyond Jago. With fifteen minutes left Bangor went four up. Ashley Stott collected the ball off Martin Beattie and raced past the awkward Whelan on the left to send a curling shot inside the right hand post. Game well and truly over. Ten minutes remained as Mel McGinness came on for Christian Seargeant in centre midfield, then Martin Beattie was injured in a full on challenge with substitute Sampson on the half way line. Beattie was replaced by Ben Ogilvy who took over at left back. Jago saved well from Les Davies who struck the ball cleanly from twelve yards (ouch!) and Ashley Stott netted again but his header was ruled out for offside. Josh Williams replaced Sion Edwards in the closing minutes and the young winger left the field to a well earned applause. And that was about it, the final whistle blew with the Canaries doubtless grateful they would not face Bangor again for a while.... |
||||
|
||||
|
| 28 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Bangor ripped the old enemy apart at Farrar
Road with three goals in
the opening ten minutes before a 700 plus Boxing Day crowd. The carnage began on five minutes. Midfield maestro Christian Seargeant slid a measured pass along the line to Ashley Stott. His run and cross invited a sliding finish from Les Davies who duly obliged to the delight of the St Paul's End faithful. Late arrivals who had missed the first goal nearly did so with the second as Bangor doubled the lead inside a minute as Peter Hoy placed Sion Edwards' corner for Ashley Stott to crash home from point blank range. Most people were in the ground by now and the blues fans were in raptures on nine minutes when a third goal ended the contest. A Christian Seargeant freekick was nodded down by Les Davies and the first to react was midfielder Mike Walsh who beat the hesitant Craig Vernon from close range once more. Caernarfon could scarcely believe what had happened but created an opening of their own when the lively Tim Opajah raced in on goal but was denied by Paul Smith who rushed out to clear, a feat he repeated ten minutes later when John Rowley raced clear. Les Davies was getting the better of his tussle with Canaries centrehalf James Glendenning and forced a decent save out of young Vernon. Moments later left winger Sion Edwards hit the bar and then fired wide right footed following Marc Limbert's cross. With Walsh and Seargeant dictating the flow through midfield more chances came, Les Davies headed down Martin Beattie's cross but Mike Walsh fired over. Glendenning headed at Paul Smith as the visitors tried to cut the deficit. Christian Seargeant fired goalwards from twenty yards but Vernon saved well before referee Evans blew for half time with the home support applauding the blues off. |
||||
| HALF TIME 3-0 |
||||
|
Not everyone had taken their seats in the stand when things got
worse for the visitors. Left winger Sion Edwards played a one two
with Martin Beattie who slid home from
six yards before the Farrar End for his first goal for the club. Caernarfon boss Steve O'Shaughnessy responded with a double substitution, sending on Paul Addo and Mike Jones for Mark Harris for Lee Bamber. Former City utility man Mark Thomas shot on target but Paul Smith held comfortably before Ashley Stott fired wide after Vernon had bungled a shot from Sion Edwards. However on 53 mins it was 5-0. Marc Limbert continued his supply of crosses from the right for Mike Walsh to beat the young 'keeper at his near post. Christian Seargeant continued his master class with some telling passes short and long which must have caught the eye of gifted Canary Layton Maxwell who struggled to push his side forwards. Local lad John Rowley had ploughed a lone furrow for Caernarfon and his booming shot crashed just wide of the right post, but City might have gone further ahead when Sion Edwards volleyed over from eight yards. On 69 mins another change as Bobby Jones replaced James Thomas, then Mel McGinness came on for Sion Edwards. In between the changes City had the ball in the net again but Caernarfon linesman Maldwyn Williams flagged for offside. Within a minute the former St Dominics striker shot narrowly wide and got himself booked for a foul on the right. A neat pass from Ashley Stott offered Mike Walsh the chance of a hatrick but his shot flashed wide. Mel McGinness was shown the yellow card before Ben Ogilvy replaced the injured Michael Johnston. Ashley Stott went close again for Bangor who were dependent on a brave challenge from Peter Hoy to deny the persistent Rowley. Five minutes from time Caernarfon finally pulled one back when Bobby Jones headed home from six yards. City were scarcely ruffled though and sixteen year old Caio Iwan replaced Les Davies who sportingly shook hands with a weary looking Glendenning before leaving to a noisy acclaim. There was time for referee Evans to yellow card Mike Walsh before blowing for the final whistle - greeted with relief by some and applause by many others |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Lee Evans |
An easy enough game to control for Lee Evans who did not attempt to take centre stage, but generally allowed the game to flow to the delight of most of the 700 or so present. |
| 27 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Bangor completed the double over Haverfordwest whom
they had beaten 2-0 at Farrar Road in August. On that summer's afternoon one of the goalscorers was Peter Hoy and it was the big defender who again played a key role in City's victory which owed much to an impressive second half display from goalkeeper Paul Smith. Les Davies headed at the goalkeeper in the opening minutes, then early openings fell to the home side with Nicky Woodrow and centre half Gareth Elliot going close, but it was City who struck on 16 minutes for what proved to be the only goal of the game. A corner from the right was delivered by Marc Limbert beyond the back post to Peter Hoy who cleverly headed back across goal for Ashley Stott to head home from six yards. Bangor were on top for much of the first half with Les Davies and goalscorer Stott to the fore, and midfielder Christian Seargeant driving City on. Young goalkeeper Lee Idzi was in the right place to hold a header from Davies but could only hope for the best when a shot from left winger Sion Edwards sped past but hit the post. The nineteen year old did well to stop Ashley Stott from doubling the lead with a good stop as City's goalscorer ran in on goal. County's best moments involved Woodrow and former City midfielder Neil Thomas - still away from home with his forces commitment - but Bangor defended confidently when called upon. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-1 |
||||
|
The home side came more into the game after the restart with Paul
Smith soon called into the action. Smith was alert to deny Lee Hudgell who charged on goal, and then Jack Christopher who goalbound headed came close to converting Neil Thomas' cross. He also dashed out twice to head clear when City's defence was undone by punts over the top. The Bangor rearguard was well marshalled by Lee Webber and Michael Johnston ably assisted by fullbacks Beattie and Hoy. When City attacked the best openings fell to Les Davies and Ashley Stott but neither could find the target. Les Davies also created an opening for captain Marc Limbert but he sent his effort narrowly wide. With twenty minutes left City sent on midfielder Craig Hutchinson for left winger Sion Edwards and in the closing minutes Mel McGinness came on for goalscorer Ashley Stott who had run himself into the ground. However Bangor held firm and did enough to make sure the points headed north on the team coach, to make the longest of journey's home a happy one. In particular for the outstanding Paul Smith who enjoyed an impressive afternoon. |
||||
|
||||
|
| 26 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Leading in the fourth minute of injury time
Bangor were given a taste of their own medicine as never say die
Newtown levelled on 95 minutes to earn a share of the spoils at
Farrar Road. The visitors lined up with young defender Craig Williams as sweeper in a 3-5-2 system which blunted much of City's attacking play, and resulted in a drab first half of few clear chances. With Kieran Killackey injured and watching from the sidelines Craig Hutchinson won a recall in centrel midifeld. An early penalty claim came to nothing but Christian Seargent appealed loudly after teenage Newtown goalkeeper Dave Jones made contact with him and not the ball. Glenn Tolley forced a save out of Paul Smith before a second chance for the visitors saw Craig Moses hit the side netting when well placed on the right. Tommy Mutton fired well over and moments later combined with leftback Daniels but sent his header off target from ten yards. The only yellow card of the first half came on the hal hour for a foul by Sutton on Christian Seargeant who in turn had City's best opening with a low drive which Jones held comfortably. A couple of minutes before the interval Bangor won a freekick on the edge of the box. After a slight delay the ball was set up for Christian Seargeant but his effort curled wide and referee Whitby responded to the lengthy que forming at the tea hut by blowing for half time. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
The second half was an improvement on the first, both in terms of
entertainment and of course the goals scored. City made a change at the interval with Sion Edwards coming on for Craig Hutchinson to allow Christian Seargeant to slot into centre midfield alongside Mike Walsh. Tolley went close for Newtown before Paul Smith saved well from Colin Loss. City responded with the best move of the match. Sion Edwards ran beyond Lewis to cross for Marc Limbert who lay off enouraged Christian Seargeant to shoot. His effort gained a deflection which Jones did well to push out for a corner. Marc Limbert crossed and as Lee Webber rose for the ball he was poleaxed by an elbow from Hugh Clarke. City players and supporters appealed for a penalty - which would have brought a red card - but referee Whitby allowed play to continue with the big defender lying prone in the box. On the hour Newtown went ahead. What looked like a generous freekick awarded for a trip by Sion Edwards on Craig Williams resulted in a Damien Daniels cross headed home by Marc Lloyd Williams who stole a march on the blues defence to beat Paul Smith to the ball. Another cross from Marc Limbert was headed over by Ashley Stott before Christian Seargeant volleyed on target but Jones again saved comfortably. Peter Hoy ended a rampaging run down the right with a wyward shot as City pushed for an equaliser. On 81 mins Bangor were level. A crossfield ball from Peter Hoy on the right was steered upfield by Lee Webber. It was gathered by Les Davies who fierce drive beat Jones at his near post. With three minutes to go City again claimed for a penalty when Christian Seargeant was felled on the edge of the box as he was about to shoot. Play on! City finally had the lead as a right footed effort from Les Davies took a wicked deflection off substitute Worton to leave seventeen year old Jones stranded. If blues fans thought they had won they were wrong. A long punt upfield found left wingback Damien Daniels who drilled the ball into the net from eight yards out. Robins boss Darren Ryan was red carded after his part in the celebrations riled the linesman, but this 94th minute equaliser ended the match and both sides had to settle for a point. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Mark Whitby |
To
deny the home side all three legitimate penalty claims is a bit
uncharitable before Christmas, the most obvious being for an elbow on
Lee Webber which he must surely have seen. The trip
on Christian Seargeant was also a clear foul on the edge of the
box. City fans won't have happy memories of his performance in the Welsh Cup win at Caerws last month; it seems Mr Whitby is not keen on giving Bangor a fair rub of the green. There is also the small matter of the Welsh Cup final of 2006. Time to stop before I delve any further.... |
| 25 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
What finish! Two goals in injury time
earned ten man Bangor
a point against Llangefni after Dave Swanick was red carded at half
time following an incident in the tunnel. There was also the sad
sight of Lee Webber leaving the field on a stretcher - and the ground
by ambulance - with a suspected broken leg. The visitors belied their lowly status and went close early on when midfielder Steve Kehoe turned the ball into the side netting. Bangor then laid siege to the St Pauls End for ten minutes which turned into the Farai Jackson show. The former Buckley 'keeper fumbled a cross from Sion Edwards, his side survived loud appeals for handball, then he made a good save from Ashley Stott who fired goalwards from Les Davies short pass. But the acrobatic keeper could only watch and wait as Les Davies' hit the post from twenty yards. Ashley Stott chased a nicely weighted pass from Christian Seargeant but Jackson raced out to hack clear. Llangefni survived and countered. Moments after Paul Smith had saved from the same striker, Kevin Lloyd raced clear to beat City's keeper with a well placed finish on 13 minutes. City fans were worried by the uncertainty in a defence which had proved so resolute at Belle Vue and Park Hall, with right winger Chris Jones in particular a thorn in the blues side. Lanky goalscorer Lloyd also posed a threat. The visitors went close again through Lee Dixon and goalscorer Lloyd before Les Davies headed downwards but Jackson again saved acrobatically. Right winger Chris Jones raced clear of Martin Beattie but Paul Smith saved from a tight angle. On the half hour Sion Edwards outpaced Dixon on the left but fired over. As time ran out Paul Smith saved well from Graham Austin before Ashley Stott ran at goal but lifted his shot high over the crossbar. So to the half time interval.... |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-1 |
||||
|
At half time Dave Swanick was red carded by referee Mark Petch
following a disagreement with Owain Gwynedd who had riled him as they
left the field. City responded by replacing Sion Edwards with
Mike Walsh. Ten man Bangor rallied after the restart and won their fourth and fifth corners of the evening playing into the wind. The clearest opening came when Jackson pushed over Ashey Stott's header, then Les Davies charged past leftback Caerwyn Roberts but there was no City player on hand as the ball ran across the face of goal. Llangefni might have doubled their lead when Lee Webber inadvertently turned the ball back towards his own goal but Paul Smith was alert to the danger. Bangor won a sixth corner and on the half hour Christian Seargeant lofted a twenty five yard freekick over. Martin Beattie was yellow carded for a pretty innocuous challenge on half way but worse was to follow when little striker Owain Gwynedd cut inside Mike Johnston on the right, sped past Marc Limbert and flashed the ball straight into the top corner from the edge of the box. City fought back and a Martin Beattie cross from the left caught a deflection off Mark Jones which Jackson kept out with a reflex point blank stop at his near post. Bangor fans were urging the team on and Kieran Killackey took up the challenge with some fierce challenges, but was limped off on 72 mins to be replaced by Craig Hutchinson. Minutes later Lee Webber collapsed in pain, and after a lengthy stoppage, was stretchered off with Peter Hoy on in his place. Martin Beattie fired goalwards but Jackson saved comfortably. With some seven minutes of normal time remaining Peter Hoy launched a long throw which provoked penalty claims for handball in the Llangefni box, but again nothing doing. Llangefni went upfield and twice Peter Hoy headed away driven shots from the edge of the six yards area. In the first minute of added time a lifeline for Bangor. Ashley Stott teed up Mike Walsh whose curling effort from the edge of the box beat Jackson to cut the deficit by half. Into the fourth minute of added time and the hard working Ashley Stott headed home from a Christian Seargeant cross to level the scores to set off wild celebrations from the Bangor players and supporters. There was still a couple of minutes to play, Lee Dixon brought down Christian Seargeant but referee Petch was not interested in City's third penalty claim and chose to blow for time instead. A typical ten man battling display by Bangor, never say die. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Mark Petch |
Nowhere
near the level. The WP (in fact its the clubs I suppose) pay for
an assessor to sit in the stand and mark the referee. Tonight -
sadly as often before - Petch was poor. The yardstick of getting
the big decisions right - and only giving what you see - were his
undoing. He did not see the half time skirmish provoked by "Sporty Spice" yet red carded Dave Swanick. He did see a blatant penalty offence by Lee Dixon on Christian Seargeant which would have offered City an unlikely chance of all three points on 95 minutes. He gave nothing. The assessor at Farrar Road simple ignores comments aimed at him about the officials, odd - and of course downright rude - but there we are. Until they have got their story right, what can they say. |
| 24 |
|
|
LOOSEMORES CUP |
|
|
|
Without captain Marc Limbert there was a recall for wing king Sion Edwards on the left with Christian Seargeant switching to the right. And former Everton youngster Seargeant went closest to breaking the deadlock with a spinning 20 yard freekick which hit the home upright inside five minutes. There was little to chose for much of the first half with Dave Swanick offering highly rated left winger Luke Holden little room for manoeuvre, and midfielders Kieran Killackey and Mike Walsh more than matching their full time opponents. Down the left City were well served by Martin Beattie and Sion Edwards. In mild, damp conditions neither side tested the goalkeeper as often as they would have liked, but all that changed two minutes from time. Christian Seargeant hoisted the ball to the edge of the TNS box. Les Davies gathered and held of the challenge of centrehalf Rob Williams to drive past Gerard Doherty from ten yards. The home side rallied briefly in the closing minutes but again Paul Smith was not unduly concerned. Referee Phil Southall blew for half time with the fifty or more Bangor supporters clearly the happier with the events and scoreline. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-1 |
||||
|
The second half was a quarter of an hour old when a cavalier run
by Dave Swanick ended in a near post cross which Ashley Stott
just failed to convert. A minute later Sion Edwards' cleanly
struck crossfield ball picked out Christian Seargeant who stepped
onto his left foot but he fired narrowly wide. The home side surged upfield but Paul Smith saved confidently from John Toner before doing slightly better to keep out Alfie Carter's low shot from the left. On 64 minutes centre half Rob Williams made up for his earlier mistake with a headed goal after Jamie Wood had crossed from the right. But City continued to carve out chances, with twenty minutes left Ashley Stott fired into the side netting. Ten minutes from time Christian Seargeant appeared to be tripped and pushed in the box but penalty appeals were waved away. Five minutes later it scarcely mattered as the big number nine struck again. Kieran Killackey lifted the ball into the box and with just about everyone baffled by the bounce Les Davies muscled in to drill the ball beyond goalkeeper Doherty from close range. Brilliant! The final minute might have seen City go 3-1 ahead but Doherty did well to keep out Sion Edward's fierce drive. For the majority of the three minutes of added time City kept the ball by the TNS right hand corner flag and waited for the final whistle to blow -and celebrated another impressive win. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Phil Southall |
Both
sides benefitted from referee Southall's
approach, he tried to let the game flow and not answer every shout for
a freekick. It can backfire but on this unfamiliar surface
neither
side got carried away and a fairly open game ensued. My only gripe would be an 80th minute penalty claim waved away, but Les Davies' second strike made that seem less important as the singing heralded full time! |
| 23 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
This was just what Bangor fans wanted and - thanks to
a combination of skilful attacking and brave defending - it's what they
got. Manager Nev Powell opted for the extra bite of Kieran Killackey in midfield with Christian Seargeant switching to the left. There was room for Sion Edwards on a strong looking bench which included the fit again Craig Hutchinson. The Lilywhites started strongly, a typical high lofted ball caused trouble and Paul O'Neill shot wide against his old team. The swirling wind was to unsettle both defences. Christian Seargeant shot wide for Bangor after cutting in from the left. On nine minutes Bangor had the lead. Marc Limbert combined with Dave Swanick to cross from the right, Christian Seargeant controlled the ball on the left and passed to Ashley Stott at the near post. Gareth Wilson, prone from a previous tackle, scythed Stott down and referee Morgan pointed to the spot. Up stepped blues captain Marc Limbert who shot to the right with Lee Kendall diving dramatically in the opposite direction. Bangor saw another attack snuffed out by George Horan who was yellow carded for a poor challenge on Les Davies. Paul Smith was called into action as the home side retaliated. First a block from New Zealander Mike White and then a high full length save from Andy Moran's thirty yard blast. As the home side attacked the Bangor defence stood firm, with Lee Webber and Michael Johnston winning their tussles with Moran and Hunt. Martin Beattie was on hand twice with important clearances whilst Dave Swanick headed and tackled to good effect. On 39 minutes City doubled the lead. A long clearance from Paul Smith was headed on by Les Davies and guided out to the left by Ashley Stott. Here Christian Seargeant chipped the ball over Matt Holt, slipped between Horan and O'Neill and beat Kendall at his near post to the delight of Bangor crowd. There was time for one more effort from Rhyl but Mark Connolly headed over from six yards, and Lee Hunt was "carded" for an elbow on Lee Webber before the half time whistle blew with City 2-0 ahead. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-2 |
||||
|
Three minutes after the break Paul Smith saved well from Lee
Hunt. Mike White cut a largely anonymous figure on the left,
but he could have pulled one back for Rhyl with two efforts, the
first blocked by Lee Webber and the second he crashed well over the
crossbar. As the second half progressed right winger Craig Jones unsettled the Bangor defence. But it was White whose short pass tempted Mark Connolly to strike from twelve yards. Michael Johnston's brave block caused the ball to fly up against the crossbar and away to safety. Moments later, on 65 mins, Lee Hunt reacted first to send a glancing header over Paul Smith after Craig Jones' telling cross from the right. Bangor pushed forwards and should have won a penalty when Stuart Graves fouled Mike Walsh but play was allowed to continue. Then a moment of madness from Lee Hunt who lunged at Paul Smith after a one two with Mark Connolly. Smith had long since gathered the ball and referee Morgan rightly showed a straight red to the dismay of the Belle Vue supporters. Fifteen minutes remained as the former blue trudged off the field. Hunts dismissal took the wind out of the home side, deprived of their most dangerous attacker and the extra burden placed on the ten left. Moments later Marc Limbert was clattered by Horan, thirty yards out to the right. Les Davies fairly blasted the freekick for the top left hand corner nut was denied by a superb one handed save by Kendall in the home goal. In the closing minutes Paul Smith saved well from close range and Bangor countered through Sion Edwards and Mike Walsh but the chance went. Referee Morgan blew as Rhyl sought one last chance on half way and the Bangor fans - and players - celebrated loudly. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Neil Morgan |
By
the old yardstick of get the big decisions right, Neil Morgan can watch
the S4C highlights and feel that he
did just that. The penalty award was correct, the straight red
was justified, otherwise of course people will see things differently. Taking charge in these cirtcumstances, with no love lost and old scores to settle, is not easy. Bangor won so its comfortable to sit and praise the official,. But its hard to see what he did wrong that made any serious impact on the game, so credit where it is due. |
| 22 |
|
|
NWCFA
CUP |
|
|
|
|
Bangor fielded
a mixture of youth and experience and gained a 2-0 win over Welsh
Alliance
visitors Rhydymwyn. The experienced centre midfield pairing of Kieran Killackey and Craig Hutchinson made sure City had a strong presence to allow youngsters Caio Iwan and Aaron Richmond to attack at will. At the back Ben Ogilvy gave a stirling display alongside young centrehalf Anthony Wilson. Although City dominated the game it was Rhydymwyn who might have taken the lead when Tom McElmeel shot from distance but just failed to trouble goalkeeper Dave Roberts. City countered but young striker Caio Iwan ran into traffic in the visitors box and the chance slipped away. As Bangor dominated right winger Mel McGinness missed a clear chance, the Kieran Killackey hit the crossbar as City pressed for the opening goal. Five minutes from time it finally arrived. Mel McGinness headed home from Ben Ogilvy's inviting freekick with goalkeeper Stanton beaten at last. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
The second period continued in the same vein with Kieran
Killackey going close for Bangor before the all important second goal
came some ten minutes after the interval. Josh Williams passed to Craig Hutchinson whose 25 yard special left former Airbus goalkeeper Danny Stanton beaten all ends up. The young custodian saved well from Williams moments later as City pressed for a third. A good passing move involving Kieran Killackey and Josh Williams created a chance for Mel McGinness but he missed from close range. With some twenty minutes on the clock Rhydymwyn missed what was to be their best chance of the match when Jamie Roberts beat the offside trap but fired wide when confronted by former Liverpool Youth Cup winner Dave Roberts who must have been frustrated by his lack of action in a one side affair. City gave run outs to a couple more of the young reserves and continued to press but the scoreline remained unchanged and the hundred or so present applauded the youthful blues off the pitch. Manager Nev Powell must have been pleased with the way the youngsters settled in and played football against bigger, stronger opponents. |
||||
|
||||
|
| 21 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
There was little to chose between these two
sides in a keenly contested draw at Farrar Road. Bangor made the early running and Les Davies did well to set up Mike Walsh who shot wide. The visitors responded with some pressure which resulted in a corner but it was Bangor who produced the move of the match on the quarter hour. A deep freekick from Christian Seargeant was headed back across goal by Lee Webber but Marc Limbert could not find the target. Mike Walsh fired wide from outside the box before Jamal Easter glided past the blues defence to win a second corner for the visitors playing in an unfamiliar red strip. City had the lead on the half hour. Les Davies controlled the ball on the edge of the box and slid a deft pass through to Ashley Stott who beat Neil Thomas from eight yards for his ninth goal of the season. Deryn Brace's side were all but level within a minute but Peter Hoy cleared off the line from Tim Hicks. City might have doubled their lead but Thomas saved well from Christian Seargeant. Referee Duncan stopped play to show the red card to Chris Thomas for a foul on Sion Edwards before a comedy of errors allowed the visitors to draw level. A misunderstanding between Martin Beattie and goalkeeper Paul Smith saw Tim Hicks drive home from the right to the despair of the blues support. Peter Hoy charged down the right twice in the closing minutes, City won their first corner kick, but as time ran out Paul Smith saved from Greg Combes to keep the scores level as the sides trudged off. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-1 |
||||
|
Bangor seemed to struggle to clear their lines in the second
half and goalscorer Hicks went close from Coombes' cross. City
came back as Mike Walsh's downward header forcing Thomas to save
on his line before he dived full length to cut out Marc Limbert low
cross. The pacey Thomas was in the action when he chased goalwards but pulled his shot wide. Then a bizarre moment when Peter Hoy's backpass eluded Paul Smith and rolled towards the unguarded goal - only for Hoy himself to race back and clear. Greg Coombes could b heard berating referee Duncan and duly earned a yellow card as City strove for a winner. On the hour Sacha Walters capped a fine passing move with a clean strike which Paul Smith palmed away for a corner to the relief of the home fans. The unassuming Smith then saved well from Easter before Les Davies worked to find space on the left but dragged his shot across goal. From successive corners City nearly went ahead midway though the half. Marc Limbert's cross cleared the near post and was headed on target by Lee Webber only to skim the crossbar. Then Mike Johnston headed goalwards but Thomas saved. The otherwise impressive goalkeeper Thomas then made a meal of a challenge from Peter Hoy who saw yellow. On 74 mins Lee Webber was also to enter the referee's black book closely followed by Michael Johnston for a trip on Sacha Walters. With five minutes to go Kieran Killackey replaced Sion Edwards but it was Carmarthen who went closest to clinching victory with Hicks and Cotterrall going close before Mr Duncan's final blast of the afternoon ended the action. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Rob Duncan |
Whistle
happy? Well he provoked a two memorable comments, one from the
visitors bench "Cmon ref, let
the game flow, you may be tired but we're not." and less
charitably - from the mainstand - "The refs and idiot". There
were enough whistle blasts to invoke memories of Crewe railway station
on a Monday morning. Quite how an English based official is
allowed in the league when clubs like Bangor are trapped by this
FAW "use it
when it suits us Iron Curtain" is a bit beyond me. All said and done though I am comfortable with Rob Duncan's integrity, he seems honest enough, and did not favour either side. A draw was a fair result. |
| 20 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Bangor
led from the sixth minute and might have
felt a touch disappointed at only netting six more such was their
domination over hosts Connahs Quay. Both sides started the match on fifteen points, separated only by goal difference. By the end of the ninety minutes it was evident that a fair gulf exists. The first goal came from Marc Limbert's swirling freekick which Lee Webber headed home with goalkeeper Forester rooted to his line. The Nomads responded with a couple of attacks which yielded corners, one as a result of a well timed tackle by Mike Johnston on Jamie Petrie as he threatened on the right. City were creating chances and on 22 minutes they made one count. Les Davies ran at the home defence on the left, cut infield and fired right footed at Forester who allowed the ball to squirm under his body and roll into the net. The next move was top draw. Sion Edwards tricked his way down the touchline and crossed deep to Marc Limbert whose first time cross was flicked goalwards by Mike Walsh but the home defence hacked clear. On 25 mins the only yellow card of the first half was shown to Chris Williams for a desperate trip on Ashley Stott, then Nomads fans were shouting for referee Parry to take action as Petrie was fouled as he broke on half way. No sooner had the official waved those claims away than he did the same to the most obvious of penalties when midfield maestro Marc Limbert robbed Stuart Cook in the box and was cut down from behind! Ten minutes before the interval Gary Pinch was replaced by Adam Hitchin but he could do little as Bangor went three up just before the interval. After blasting a couple of effort over the bar Sion Edwards showed composure with a clinical finish from the left after he raced in beyond rightback Alston. |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-3 |
||||
|
No sooner had Bangor kicked off than it should have been four.
Sion Edwards' astute pass into the box picked out Ashley Stott
but he dragged wide from eight yards. Disappointed City fans did not have long to wait for the next goal though. A superb crossfield ball from Les Davies found Sion Edwards in space on the left and his clean low drive beat Forester all ends up. On the hour things got worse for the Nomads when Craig Jones gave away a freekick on the edge of his box. Christian Seargeant dusted himself down to curl the ball beyond the despondent goalkeeper for a deserved fifth. Three minutes later Jim Hacket's side were facing a rout. Les Davies, in the thick of the action throughout, slid the ball into Ashley Stott whose low finish nestled in the corner of the net. The home side won their fourth corner of the evening which Chris Williams headed on target but Paul Smith saved. On 70 minutes Mel McGinnes came on for Mike Walsh who had enjoyed a fine outing in midfield. The out of sorts Nomads defence fell apart once more on 75 minutes as Chris Williams fouled Ashley Stott to concede a penalty. The usual penalty experts stood aside but could not have not have done better than Sion Edwards whose low shot beat Forester for a 7-0 advantage. Moments later young Josh Williams replaced hatrick hero Edwards who left to a warm applause from the Bangor fans. Five minutes later Ben Ogilvy came on for Martin Beattie. In the closing minutes Les Davies was shown the yellow card for a barge on the left and Paul Smith saved well from Chris Williams. So a resounding win for Bangor whose goal difference was boosted to the fourth best in the league. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Kevin Parry |
Scarcely
a difficult game to control and overall Mr Parry did well enough, not
withstanding a blatant penalty not given for that foul on Limbert.
|
| 19 |
|
|
PREMIER CUP |
|
|
|
 A last minute strike by Charlie Griffin gave Newport a
Premier Cup win over Bangor.County might have gone ahead in the opening minutes when Lee Fowler latched onto Griffins' flick to test Paul Smith with a clean strike from the edge of the box. Craig Hughes set up Richard Evans but the former Shrewsbury Town midfielder dragged his effort across goal. City were grateful to Mike Johnston for a goalline clearance from Griffins' header after a dead ball line cross from Steve Jenkins on the right. Bangor's best chance came from a deep corner - one of half a dozen won by City - from the right which Lee Webber headed beyond Glyn Thompson but Steve Jenkins cleared off the line. Webber was alert to the underhit clearance but hooked his second effort wide. Centreback partner Mike Johnston also went close on a couple of occasions whilst Les Davies troubled 'keeper Thompson, and Sion Edwards seemed to have his shot stopped by the hand of a Newport defender. So all square at half time and with the noisy travelling blues making themselves heard, Bangor still very much in the contest. |
||||
| HALF TIME |
||||
|
Newport started the better in the second period and Lee Fowler
thought he had put the home side ahead but watched in dismay
as the ball struck the upright. Then Jason Bowen and Steve Jenkins combined to create an opening for Richard Evans but his rising drive hit the Bangor crossbar. City's best chances fell to Christian Seargeant but he could not find the net. Ashley Stott raced through the home sides offside trap but fired over the crossbar. Kieran Killackey also had an effort cleared off the line as Bangor presses for a winner. The all important goal came in the final minute. Bangor cleared one attack but leftback Damon Searle won th ebal on the Newport left and sent a high cross into the box. Substitute Julian Alsop headed down and Charlie Griffin crashed home from eight yards with Paul Smith finally beaten. Disappointment for Bangor but a win for Newport who can now look forward to a place in the last eight of the competition; good luck to them. |
||||
|
||||
|
| 18 |
|
|
WELSH CUP |
|
|
|
| What a great performance against the odds! Down
to nine men for the final ten minutes of the ninety and the whole of
extra time, City prevailed against the odds to run
out 3-2 winners and earn a fourth round berth. City started brightly, a 30 yarder from Les Davies rattled the post, but it was Caersws who took an eleventh minute lead. A long range freekick from Jamie Haynes deceived Paul Smith and bounced into the Bangor net. Les Davies went close again before Steve Towers entered the referee's notebook on 15 mins. The resulting freekick from Marc Limbert was headed wide by Les Davies. After a midway lull Bangor came to life ten minutes before the interval when Les Davies slid Ashley Stott in on the left but the young striker's effort ran across goal. On 37 mins Bangor were level. Ashey Stott ran into the box and was felled by Mark Griffiths. Up stepped Marc Limbert to beat Andy Mulliner from the spot. From the kick off City went ahead for the first time. Ashley Stott fired into the bottom left hand corner from 20 yards, but with the travelling blues celebrating Mulliner turned the ball out for a corner. Marc Limbert delivered onto the six yards box and Michael Johnston headed cleanly downwards and saw the ball stuck in the top corner of the goal. With Bangor now on top and seemingly heading for a comfortable win, it was time to relax. Big mistake! A clever, intricate move on the Caersws right saw Graham Evans' backheel set up young Mark Griffiths who readily atoned for his earlier mistake. In the closing minutes Kieran Killackey was harshly yellow carded for a trip on half way - no threat of a breakway or last man - before veteran Mulliner saved twice, from Marc Limbert and then Mike Walsh. At half time it was 2-2 and eleven men apiece... |
||||
| HALF TIME 2-2 |
||||
|
So to the drama packed second half. Marc Limbert crossed
from the right but Ashley Stott headed wide, then the same pair
combined again but Stott could not direct his effort goalwards.
Moments later City's captain crashed a shot goalwards which
winded Colin Reynolds who watched in horror as the ball dropped to Les
Davies but he lashed wide. On 64 mins the first red card as Kieran Killackey was dismissed for a mistimed tackle on half way. Les Davies also seemed to follow him into the book for his observations. City continued to look the side more likely to score and some hard graft from the Maesgeirchen winger set up Mike Walsh who sliced wide. Home leftback Sawtell was next into the notebook for a foul. Referee Whitby then pulled back Swanick who was in a shooting position inside the Caersws box - to award a freekick to Bangor! Mulliner saved comfortably from Ashley Stott before, on 76 mins, Christian Seargeant came on for Sion Edwards as manager Nev Powell reorganised his ten men. Marc Limbert had moved infield and clever chip picked out Mike Walsh but he failed to hit the target. On 80 mins City were down to ten men. Dave Swanick clearly fouled Mike Sawtell high up the pitch, in front of the home dugout. Referee Whitby responed to their cries with a "straight red" even though the home defender was up on his feet to play on without treatment. In the time that remained Caersws won their first corner, then Les Davies powered his way down the right but Ashley Stott was narrowly wide, and moments later replaced by Peter Hoy. Les Davies again charged at the home defence but fired wide. Substitute Hoy went close in the closing minutes before Referee Whitby whistled for time. Into the first period of extra time, City still looked the more likely to score, with Les Davies alone upfront in a 4-3-1 formation, although tops marks to Martin Beattie and Peter Hoy who pushed forward at every opportunity. Seargeant shot over after good approach play from Davies and Walsh, then the big winger blazed over from 20 yards. Caersws sub Prodger went close before Seargeant also cleared the bar with a rising effort. The second period, Prodger was yellow carded for barging Paul Smith, then Colin Reynolds did well to cut short Les Davies' progress on the left with a perfectly timed sliding tackle in the box. With 113 mins on the clock Bangor won just their third corner of the afternoon which was delivered onto the head of Mike Walsh who headed home to the delight of the Bangor contingent. Caersws tried to rally, but the nine men held firm, astonishing stuff really, and a deserved win for Bangor against all odds in the end. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Mark Whitby |
A
wretched performance from the Swansea whistler Mr Whitby, not just
confined to two red cards for
Bangor players, but an array of bad decisions which largely -
but not exclusively - favoured the home side. Swannick's straight red
was a knee jerk reaction to noisy calls for dismissal from
the adjacent home bench who clearly hoped they might beat nine men.
There was an earlier double yellow dismissal for
Killackey, the first caution was harsh in the extreme. And that
moment when Swannick burst into the Caersws box and was about to
shoot on goal when Referee Whitby blew up for a Bangor freekick. |
| The
only good thing I can say
about Mr Whitby is that he does seem a nice bloke, showed his face in
the club after (no hassle there by the way) and was prepared to discuss
the game with supporters. Most of us kept our distance for fear
of getting the club(s) into trouble... |
| 17 |
|
|
WELSH
PREMIER |
|
|
|
|
Two injury time goals secured the points for
City in
a game dominated by a strong wind blowing into the St Pauls End. Acting Port boss Viv Williams was able to start with Paul Roberts and Carl Owen upfront and play Jason Sadler and Marcus Orlik wide in an attack minded line up. But it was stocky rightback John Glwynfor Jones - in the thick of the action throughout - who went closest to giving his side the lead with a rising drive that just cleared Paul Smith's crossbar. Such was the influence of the wind and showery rain that it took Bangor three minutes to get out of their own half, with the composed figure of Gareth Parry pulling the strings at Port pushed up. For all the territorial dominance though the visitors had to rely on long range efforts to test Smith. The best of these came agin from rigthback Jones whose fierce strike forced Smith into a full length dive to palm over against the post. City's first opening saw Christian Seargeant off target from an early corner. With Port just about first to every loose ball Paul Smith dashed out to dive bravely at the feet of Carl Owen. On the half hour Les Davies switched to "Truck Mode" as he collected the ball inside his own half, charged at the Port defence, flattening the unfortunate Marcus Orlik before a foul stopped his progess on the edge of the box. From the resulting freekick Christian Seargeant picked out Mike Walsh but he headed wide. Minutes later referee Richards called a halt to procedings when Martin Beattie and Orlik clashed heads. With their wind assisted half drawing to a close Porthmadog went close through Gareth Parry before Mike Johnston atoned for an error by sliding in to block Paul Roberts solo run on the left. The final action saw Marc Limbert narrowly fail to get a touch on Sion Edwards' inviting cross. Half time all square but with the change of ends favouring Bangor... |
||||
| HALF TIME 0-0 |
||||
|
Statistics do not always tell the truth but 14 second half
corners to Bangor - after one apiece in the first period - gives some
indication that the final scoreline was fair. But
Carl Owen nearly put Port ahead when he forced a crucial block
from Dave Swanick after a telling run on the right. Moments later Bangor leftback Martin Beattie sent a rising thirty yarder goalwards which brought a good save out of Harvey for a corner. City gained momentum ten minutes after the break with a spell of 3/4 minutes of constant pressure which yielded half a dozen corners, variously cleared and headed behind, with Rhys Roberts and Harvey at full stretch to keep out Swanick, Webber, Johnston and Les Davies. Rightback John Gwynfor Jones was soon back in the action when Harvey could not hold Les Davies' thunderous strike. Ashley Stott followed up and clipped the ball past Harvey but Jones was on hand to clear off the line. On the hour teenage winger Carl Jones - another ex-blue - replaced a weary Jason Sadler. Referee Richards yellow carded Ashley Stott for an alleged dive in the Port box, and moments later Paul Roberts followed him into the book for a trip. The corner count went deep into double figures as Bangor pressed, Stott, Les Davies and Swanick alll going close. It looked like "one of those days" but could have got worse when a brave block from Mike Johnston denied Iwan Thomas (who had replaced Orlik) with a deflection that flew behind. And so to injury time. Dave Swanick chased into the Port box and his shot was deflected for a corner number 15 on the left. Marc Limberts deep cross was aimed at Mike Johnston but some credit for the goal must go to Warren Beattie who felt the ball bounce of the back of his neck and loop into the top right hand corner. Suddenly the timewasting was forgotten and Porthmaodg pushed forward, against the elements, in search of an equaliser. However Bangor won possession and captain Marc Limbert's lofted through ball saw Ashley Stott outpace the defence to slot the ball home past Harvey. The goal timed at 92 mins saw City fans celebrate the certain win and the visitors finally accept defeat. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Ceri Richards |
When
you have officiated at just about every Premier League ground the odd
cry of "did your hair get in your eyes" and "come on baldy" must be
water off a ducks back. For Ceri Richards it is all in a days
work, he shrugs his shoulders and gets on with the job in hand.
He gives the impression of someone comfortable with his own
interpretation of the laws and
not second guessing what the assessor might be thinking in the stands.
Not always popular - the contentious Stott card for example - but
fair, even tempered and allowed the game to flow. They should pay
the other refs to watch him. |
| 16 |
|
|
LOOSEMORES
CUP |
|
|
|
| It only took four minutes for man of the match Les Davies to open the scoring against a weakened Nomads side. He collected a throw in on the right controlled the ball on the edge of the box and turned to fire past left footed past goalkeepert Paul Forester . Below strength or not the visitors mounted a challenge which saw Chris Herbert and Gary Pinch go close, but once City got into their stride the result was never in doubt. On 19 minutes it was 2-0 and effectively all over. Michael Johnston's long ball was collected by Les Davies who chested down to fire past Forester once again. Johnston nearly got on the score sheet himself but saw his effort strike the crossbar. Goalkeeper Forester saved well from left winger Sion Edwards and on the stroke of half time City fans was celebrating a third goal from Ashley Stott before a linesman's flag cut things short. So a comfortbable 2-0 lead at the interval with a crowd of around 300 happy enough with the evening's proceedings. |
||||
| HALF TIME 1-0 |
||||
|
As the second half got underway Christian Seargeant came on for
Kieran Killackey who will miss the weekend visit of Porthmadog due to
suspension. Three minutes after the restart Ashley Stott embarked upon a solo run which he capped with a calm finish to put City 3-0 ahead. On 65 minutes the fourth a final goal. Marc Limbert won the ball on the right, passed to Dave Swannick who spottled Les Davies lurking with intent on the edge of the box. His left footed drive crashed into the Nomads net with the aid of a slight deflection off Hitchen. A well deserved hatrick for the big winger who seems to be improving as the season goes on. Further chances were created and substitute Christian Seargeant, as well as goalscorers Stott and Davies might have added to the scoreline but it made little difference to the overall outcome. In the closing minutes Ben Ogilvy replaced Sion Edwards but the scoreline was not to change and City left the field to a warm ovation for a job well done. |
||||
|
||||
|
| MiB Lee Evans |
Just
one yellow card shown and a largely unfussy performance from Lee Evans. I still feel though that allowing an official to take charge when he lives tlen minutes away is asking for trouble but the clubs claim it saves them paying out large expense bills... |
| 15 |
|
|
WELSH PREMIER |
|
|