Flashback – 20 years ago: Jiws is hat-trick hero as depleted Bangor triumph

Bangor City 3 (Lloyd Williams 5, 43, 84)
Afan Lido 1 (Jones 80)
League of Wales – February 17, 2001

Hat-trick hero Marc Lloyd Williams secured three points for a youthful Bangor side on a sunny day at Farrar Road on this date 20 years ago.

City outfought and outgunned visitors Lido who trailed for 85 minutes but never gave up, although Jiws was too hot to handle.

There was pre-match doom and gloom regarding injuries to Sean Hazelden, Scott Williams and Clive Brown, plus a bout of flu which ruled out Aled Rowlands and Paul Roberts.

The solution? Simply call up the reserves who have been oft touted on the City internet guestbook.

Mark Thomas slotted in alongside Emrys Williams and Clayton Blackmore, Paul Sellars in midfield and Craig Roberts up front. And it worked a treat!

Lloyd Williams led from the front and gave City a fifth minute lead with a tap in from a Steve Cooper cross.

Lido, with the enormous Leighton Jones up front, pressed forward, but Mark Thomas stood up mentally and physically to the challenge, winning tackles, headers and reading the game well. Also hitting the channels with some well-struck passes off either foot.

The match was never a classic, but with Blackmore marshalling the defence and young Sellars alongside Rhodri Giggs and John Paul Roberts in midfield, City stuck to their task.

Goalkeeper Paul Evans made a good low save from Andrew Pearson, then Sellars shot too close to the keeper after being set up by Lloyd Williams.

With half time approaching young Sellars won the ball on the halfway line and took off for goal. The ball was returned to him, and he played it to Lloyd Williams who made no mistake with a clever lofted finish over Thomas.

Half-time: 2-0

The second period again featured excellent defensive work from man of the match Mark Thomas, but in truth lacked the flow of the first.

There were injuries and bookings and substitutions. These included John Paul Roberts for Bangor and Lido pair Steve Parry and Pearson.

Then on 80 minutes Nick Jones pulled a goal back for Lido with Evans the busier keeper for a while.

Happily a horrible mistake by visiting keeper Brian Thomas saw the ball bounce over his head for Lloyd Williams to complete another well deserved treble.

Lido did not give up but their forwards found keeper Evans in impressive form and City won by two clear goals.

What a gutsy performance it had been, with half the first choice side missing.

Bangor City: Paul Evans, Steve Cooper, Richard Owen, Emrys Williams, Mark Thomas, Clayton Blackmore, Marc Lloyd Williams, Paul Sellars, Craig Roberts, John Paul Roberts. Subs: Karl Roberts, Paul Roberts, Daniel Grant.

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