Magnificent seven for Bangor 1876 – but is it too early to talk about trophies?

Seven matches played, seven matches won…..

There is no doubting that newly-formed Bangor 1876 have made a magnificent start to the 2019-20 campaign.

But already I’ve heard a handful of local football followers claim this fan-owned club will not lose a single game this season.

I take it these positive-thinking people mean in the Gwynedd League, because 1876 have entered the Welsh Cup, so anyone predicting they could win that as well would be getting way ahead of themselves.

Going through an entire league season unbeaten is quite rare, but it has been done a fair few times in North Wales football, and 1876 certainly appear to have the ability to become the latest invincibles.

I think domestic success at their own tier-five level should be the main target, although as they proved on Saturday by knocking Welsh Alliance side Pwllheli out of the FAW Trophy, they are very capable of a giant-killing act or two along the way.

Is it too early to be tipping them to win trophies? Not within reason.

While the experience of Les Davies, Michael Johnston and Jamie Petrie is proving a major asset to the Treborth-based newcomers, the quality football produced by the younger element in the squad has also played a huge role in the team’s flying start.

Bangor 1876 play a brand of slick, exciting, attacking passing football the likes of which has probably never been seen in the Gwynedd League before. And the bumper attendances at each of their games proves they are pleasing on the eye.

You could make a case for every single player to feature so far bringing something positive to the table. And there appears to be ample strength-in-depth to deal with what promises to be a hectic season, with involvement in several cup competitions running alongside the league programme.

The only thing that could hamper 1876’s potential league title challenge is aforementioned cup commitments, but we should have a better idea by early in the new year exactly how things stand for Mel Jones’ side.

For now, these new kids on the block are creating a lot of interest wherever they play, and while there has been animosity from fans of other clubs over them being instantly admitted into tier-five, plus the fact they have players on contracts has meant they are regarded as a professional outfit, thus forcing restrictions on the Gwynedd League transfer window, the general impact of 1876 on North Wales football has been mainly positive.

Bangor 1876 results – 2019-20 season

Sep 14: Pwllheli (h – FAW Trophy) 3-1 (Lloyd-Jones 2, Barry)
Aug 31: Llandudno Athletic (h – WC) 4-1 (Petrie pen, Barry, C Williams, Summers-Jones)
Aug 26: Llangoed (a – GL) 5-0 (Petrie 3, 1 pen, Davies, Owens)
Aug 24: Nefyn United (h – GL) 3-1 (Petrie 2, 1 pen, Davies)
Aug 19: Caergybi (h – GL) 10-0 (Summers-Jones 3, Lloyd-Jones 2, Petrie 2, C Williams, Barry, Owens)
Aug 17: Sychdyn (h – FAW Trophy) 5-1 (Summers-Jones 3, Petrie 2 pens)
Aug 10: Ogwen Tigers (a – GL) 4-1 (Summers-Jones 2, Petrie, Lundstram)

Match record
League: P 4 W 4 D 0 L 0 GF 22 GA 2
Cup: P 3 W 3 D 0 L 0 GF 12 GA 3

Goalscorers
12 – Jamie Petrie
9 – Dylan Summers-Jones
4 – Jos Lloyd-Jones
3 – Cameron Barry
2 – Cian Williams, Les Davies
1 – Benn Lundstram, Leon Owens

Big games coming up for 1876

Sep 28: Penrhyndeudraeth (home – Welsh Cup second qualifying round)

Oct 5: Llanelwy Athletic (away – NWCFA Junior Cup first round)

Oct 26: Llanrwst United (away – FAW Amateur Trophy third round)

• Massive thanks to 1876 media officer Kevin Owen for his brilliant photos and match reports