Flashback – 15 years ago: Davenport leaves Bangor City on a low note

Rhyl 4 (Hunt, Moran 2, Stones)
Bangor City 1 (Hay)
Welsh Premier League – December 4, 2005

Fifteen years ago this week saw Peter Davenport’s final match in charge of Bangor City end in a heavy defeat at Belle Vue.

Before kick-off a minute’s silence took place in memory of highly respected sports reporter Phil Stanley, renowned for his coverage of Rhyl FC, who passed away the previous week aged 58. So sadly missed.

Early exchanges were fairly even before the sparring came to an abrupt end on 19 minutes when Lee Hunt found the net for the Lilywhites from a tight angle at the back post after a deep cross from the left by Chris Adamson.

Bangor fought back and thought they had won a penalty when Kenny Burgess was clearly tripped in the box, but referee Mark Whitby thought otherwise and yellow carded the winger for diving.

Andy Moran stung Andrew Price’s hands with a 25-yard screamer before Rhyl doubled their advantage on 27 minutes.

A straightforward corner from the right dropped into the six-yard box and Moran crashed home, unmarked, to the delight of the noisy home contingent.

With ex-Citizen Ricky Evans a dominant force in the middle of the park the visitors found it difficult to establish any kind of creative platform.

When Bangor sought to reply Alex Hay crossed from the left but Paul Roberts stooped to head over from six yards with Paul Whitfield at full stretch.

On the stroke of half time Paul Roberts fired a free kick from the right which was not cleared and watched as Paul O’Neill failed to make clean contact and Whitfield just managed to gather on the ground.

Half-time: Rhyl 2 Bangor City 0

Three minutes after the interval the game was over as a contest.

A Mark Powell free kick dropped in the penalty area where Greg Stones waited unopposed to drive home from eight yards.

Five minutes later a booming deep cross from the right from the outstanding Evans was headed home emphatically by Moran, who left Price with no chance from the left.

After 55 minutes Bangor forced a reply when Hay was first to react after Clayton Blackmore’s corner was turned goalwards by Roberts.

Hay rushed forward on the left to send a low rasping drive wide of the left hand upright but was replaced moments later in a double substitution along with Chris Priest; Kyle Jones and Mike Burke entering the field.

Young Price pulled off a tremendous save from Mark Powell, who had latched onto a deep cross.

Burke shot on target from 25 yards out but Whitfield held comfortably enough.

And to a large degree that was that.

Many thanks to Mike Smith of the Citizens Choice website for report and photograph