Flashback – 10 years ago: Prestatyn halt Bangor City’s unbeaten record

Prestatyn Town 4 (Rogers 82 & 87, Hunt 21, Stephens 42)
Bangor City 2 (Reed 7, Garside 70)
Welsh Premier League – Jan 2, 2011

After 17 league matches without defeat – 16 of them wins – since the start of the season, Bangor City’s unbeaten record in the Welsh Premier finally ended in their first test of 2011 at Bastion Gardens.

The home side created the first chance, Ross Stephens forcing a save from Paul Smith before Les Davies and Nicky Ward sent long range efforts off target for City.

On seven minutes, the hundreds of Bangor fans celebrated as Peter Hoy headed Ward’s deep free kick back across goal for Jamie Reed to convert from close range.

In the 21st minute Smith could do little as a misplaced clearance and defensive mix up let in Lee Hunt who shot into the bottom corner.

On the half hour Prestatyn went close again as Hunt headed over, then a direct run from Chris Jones set up a chance for Bangor’s Craig Garside but his side-footer flew beyond the bar.

As Prestatyn’s direct style unsettled City it was Clive Williams whose determined defending did much to keep the home side at bay.

Dave Morley picked out goalscorer Reed but he shot at Jon Hill-Dunt, then Hunt ran clear but lofted the ball over Smith and onto the roof of the net.

Three minutes before the interval it was 2-1 to Prestatyn as City kept out a Steve Rogers shot but a low drive from 15 yards by Stephens deflected into the Bangor net from close range.

Half time: Prestatyn 2 Bangor 1

No changes at the interval but Town almost struck again as Hunt shot from the left but Smith palmed over.

Rogers got on the end of a Hunt cross but fired at a grateful Smith.

Bangor stirred as Garside and Alan Bull combined but Ward saw his attempt veer off target.

Bull span in on goal from the right but his dipping shot was pushed onto the near post by Hill-Dunt.

With 20 minutes left Bangor won three corners in quick succession. The third taken by Sion Edwards dropped for Garside to fire home from 10 yards.

All square and all to play for, with the visitors now on the front foot and the sizable blue contingent noisy and involved.

Another Hoy long throw found Reed but he headed wide. With 15 minutes remaining, Mike Parker was shown a yellow card for a lunge on Morley.

The free kick was headed across goal by Davies but Garside could only slice his shot wide when well placed.

Bangor quickly paid a high price as Kai Edwards smashed the ball upfield to relieve the pressure, Rogers gathered and swept home from the edge of the box.

Moments later Morley was shown a second yellow for a challenge on Neil Gibson.

Three minutes from time Hunt crossed and Rogers netted with a diving header to clinch a big win for the Seasiders which few could argue against.

Prestatyn: Jon Hill-Dunt, Kai Edwards, Chris Davies, David Hayes, Paul O’Neill, Gareth Wilson, Mike Parker (Steve Harris 90), Neil Gibson, Lee Hunt, Steve Rogers, Ross Stephens.

Bangor: Paul Smith, Peter Hoy, Clive Williams, Dave Morley, Michael Johnston, Craig Garside, Jamie Reed, Alan Bull (Mark Smyth 85), Les Davies, Nicky Ward, Chris Jones (Sion Edwards 60).

Attendance: 617.

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