Flashback – 20 years ago: Another Jiws treble for Bangor sinks Llanelli

Llanelli 2 (Arthur 9, Thomas 35)
Bangor City 4 (Lloyd Williams 16, 22 & 88; P Roberts 50)
League of Wales – March 24, 2001

City’s form was very erratic at this stage of the 2000/01 season but while they had Marc Lloyd Williams in the ranks there was always hope.

Jiws notched his third league hat-trick of the campaign as Bangor bounced back from a 5-0 whipping at Caersws four days earlier by seeing off Llanelli at Stebonheath Park on this day 20 years ago.

The home team deservedly went ahead in the first 10 minutes when Chris Watkins crossed for unmarked defender Marvin Arthur to score from close range.

The South Wales Reds proceeded to hit the woodwork and pull some good saves from local lad Carl Mounty, but as often happens a goal against the run of play levelled the scores.

Lloyd Williams headed home after his volleyed pass out to John Paul Roberts on the left wing set up the cross he converted.

On 22 minutes Clayton Blackmore sent a long through ball which Lloyd Williams pounced on to lift over home keeper Scott Alderman to put City ahead.

Llanelli were not to be easily beaten and it came as no surprise on 35 minutes when wide man Chris Thomas beat some indifferent visiting tackles to fire past Mounty from close range to level the scores.

City were dealt a cruel blow on 40 minutes when Emrys Williams suffered a serious ankle injury which resulted in him being taken to a Swansea hospital; his replacement was young Craig Roberts.

Half time: Llanelli 2 Bangor City 2

The second period saw both sides force chances but it was Bangor who went ahead on 50 minutes when substitute Craig Roberts released Rhodri Giggs down the left wing.

The ball travelled across the edge of the penalty area until it reached Paul Roberts, who dispatched it firmly into the back of the net to again put Bangor in the lead.

On 75 minutes exciting teenage prospect Ian Burgess replaced Craig Roberts and added bite and competitiveness to the City midfield.

With the game flitting end to end, midfielder Burgess won the ball and found Lloyd Williams with a simple pass.

Jiws raced 40 yards to crash an unstoppable shot past Alderman to secure the win and the points with a couple of minutes to play.

There was still time for Llanelli to force a fabulous point blank save from Mounty in what was his penultimate appearance for the team.

Llanelli: Scott Alderman, Andy Hill, Chris Thomas, Gavin Chesterfield, Jamie Davies, Marvin Arthur, Leigh Randall, Adie Harris, Chris Watkins, Jamie Bowen, Mark Dickeson. Subs: Steve Devonald, Nicky Palmer, Nathan Cadette.

Bangor: Carl Mounty, John Paul Roberts, Richard Owen, Emrys Williams, Mark Thomas, Clayton Blackmore, Marc Lloyd Williams, Rhodri Giggs, Paul Roberts, Paul Sellers, Aled Rowlands. Subs: Craig Roberts, Karl Roberts, Ian Burgess.

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