Welsh Cup classics No 18: Caersws v Bangor City (2007-08)

Caersws 2 (Haynes, Griffiths)
Bangor City 3 (Limbert, Johnston, Walsh)
After extra time, 2-2 at 90 mins
Welsh Cup round three – November 3, 2007

Huge thanks to Mike Smith of the Citizens Choice website for his assistance with this report

Against the odds Bangor ran out 3-2 winners at the Recreation Ground despite being down to nine men for the final 10 minutes of the 90 and the whole of extra time.

City started brightly, a Les Davies 30-yarder rattling the post, but it was Caersws who took an 11th minute lead, a long range free-kick from Jamie Haynes deceiving Paul Smith and bouncing into the Bangor net.

After a midway lull the visitors came to life 10 minutes before the interval when Davies slid Ashley Stott in on the left but the young striker’s effort ran across goal.

On 37 minutes the Citizens were level. 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 Neville Powell’s side went ahead for the first time.

Stott fired towards the bottom left hand corner from 20 yards, but with the travelling blues celebrating Mulliner turned the ball out for a flag-kick.

Limbert delivered into the six-yard box and defender Michael Johnston headed cleanly downwards and saw the ball stuck in the top corner of the goal.

With City now on top they paid the price for relaxing when a clever move on the Caersws right saw Graham Evans’ back-heel set up young Griffiths who readily atoned for his earlier mistake.

Veteran Mulliner saved from Limbert and Mike Walsh before the break.

Half-time: 2-2.

In a drama-packed second half, Stott twice threatened before Davies lashed wide.

On 64 minutes came the first red card for Bangor as Kieran Killackey was dismissed for a mistimed tackle on halfway.

City continued to look the side more likely to score, but they were frustrated by some dubious decisions from referee Mark Whitby.

In the 80th minute the travellers were down to nine men.

Dave Swanick clearly fouled Mike Sawtell high up the pitch, in front of the home dugout.

Referee Whitby responded to their cries with a straight red even though the home defender was up on his feet to play on without treatment.

Nine-man Bangor continued to press, Davies almost scoring twice before Peter Hoy went close to a winner.

90 mins: 2-2.

Into the first period of extra time, the visitors still looked the more dangerous in attack, with Davies alone up front in a 4-3-1 formation.

Then with 113 minutes on the clock came a dramatic winner. Bangor won just their third corner of the afternoon which was delivered onto the head of Walsh, who headed home to the delight of the Bangor contingent.

Caersws tried to rally, but the nine men held firm to record an astonishing victory.

This was former City playing star Powell’s first season as manager of the club and following this unlikely win in Powys, the Citizens went on to lift the Welsh Cup, beating Llanelli 4-2 in the final after another thriller which went to extra time.

Caersws: Andy Mulliner, Jon Jones, Mike Sawtell, Colin Reynolds, Steve Towers, Jamie Haynes, Mark Griffiths, Aeron Edwards, Graham Evans, Neil Mitchell, Andy Davies. Subs: Chris Smout, Jamie Davies, Nathan Prodger.

Bangor: Paul Smith, Dave Swanick, Martin Beattie, Michael Johnston, Lee Webber, Kieran Killackey, Mike Walsh, Marc Limbert, Les Davies, Ashley Stott, Sion Edwards. Subs: Ben Ogilvy, Christian Seargeant, Peter Hoy.