Flashback – 15 years ago: Nomads take spoils at Farrar Road with two second-half goals

Bangor City 0
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2 (O’Neill OG 69, Williams pen 80)
Welsh Premier League – February 24, 2006

Disappointment for City as two second-half goals clinched all three points for the Nomads at Farrar Road, this week 15 years ago.

Paul Roberts fired just off target for the hosts from 12 yards before on the quarter-hour Bangor’s young keeper Andrew Price scuffed his clearance but the ever alert Martin Beattie nipped in to deny veteran striker Stuart Rain a clear shot at goal.

On 20 minute, the Citizens’ Tommy Harrison sent a curling free kick from the left arching under the visitors bar but glovesman Paul Smith punched clear at the last moment.

Clayton Blackmore then slipped Kenny Burgess in on the right but his cross-shot was wildly over hit and came to nothing.

As half time grew nearer Bangor won a third corner through the hard-working Mike Linnecar, but Paul Roberts lashed his effort well wide after seizing on a misplaced header from Phil Molyneux.

With two minutes on the clock lively Nomad Tommy Mutton latched onto a loose ball and fired goalwards from eight yards but was denied by a superb reaction save from Price in the City goal.

Half-time: 0-0

In a brisk start to the second half, Burgess ran into the box and fired on target but Smith held despite attention from Linnecar.

A turning point saw Burgess gather the ball in the box and shoot low on target despite a clear push by Gary Pinch. As Smith gathered the mishit shot City fans sat back expecting a penalty but referee Kevin Parry waved play on. Advantage?

On 69 minutes the visitors had the lead, again with a touch of controversy.

Awarded a throw in by the visitors dug out Molyneux gained 15 yards to hurl a missile to the near post and tempt a headed clearance from Paul O’Neill which sped past Price into the Bangor net. Own goal.

Bangor responded as Linnecar fired a spiteful back-heel on target, Connah’s Quay half cleared and did so again as the tall student shot point blank twice more before the visitors finally alleviated the danger.

In the 80th minute a misjudgment by Price left home defender Beattie in an otherwise unguarded goal. A cross struck his hand, the referee obliged with a penalty and followed up with a red card. Chris Williams converted the penalty kick with ease.

On 84 minutes goalscorer Williams was red carded for a lunge on Linnecar.

This yielded a free kick from the right but Linnecar headed over.

City forced a late corner but this was cleared and the referee blew – to a less than pleasant response from the blues support.

Bangor: Andrew Price, Clayton Blackmore, Tommy Harrison, Kyle Jones (Layton Maxwell 78), Martin Beattie, Paul O’Neill, Kenny Burgess, Chris Priest, Paul Roberts, Mike Linnecar, Mike Walsh.

Quay: Paul Smith, Ben Heath, Chris Williams, Alan Morgan, Gary Pinch, Andy Russell, Tommy Mutton, Conall Murtagh, Stuart Rain, Phil Molyneux, Ryan Crawford.

Attendance: 310

Report: with thanks to Mike Smith Citizens Choice website