Flashback – 15 years ago: Les Davies breaks Bangor City hearts

Les Davies (left) scored twice for Porthmadog in a memorable win at Bangor. Picture: CPD Porthmadog

Bangor City 1 (Paul Roberts 51)
CPD Porthmadog 2 (Les Davies 34 & 90)
Vauxhall Masterfit Welsh Premier – Tuesday, April 4, 2006

Fifteen years ago today Les Davies delivered a double against his old club to earn Porthmadog a fantastic victory at Farrar Road.

The Truck’s injury time winner sent the away fans into ecstasy as City were left to reflect on a ninth home defeat of the season.

However, the visitors needed to turn in their best 90 minutes of the campaign to bring down a Bangor side which also contributed richly to a tense and exciting game which kept the crowd on the edge of their seats to the end.

Three days after reaching the Welsh Cup final, a buoyant Bangor started the brighter with Kyle Jones putting the Port defence under pressure with his long throws.

Gradually the revamped away team midfield began to establish a foothold and pushed the home side back.

Despite this Port old boy Paul Roberts drew a good save from Richard Harvey at his near post.

Former Citizens Davies was beginning to look ever more dangerous at the other end and once after rounding the keeper it took a last ditch tackle by Ben Ogilvy to keep him out.

Davies, back on his old Farrar Road stamping ground, was not to be denied.

He met Iwan Thomas’ 32nd minute corner with a thunderous drive from 18 yards through a crowded box and past Andrew Price to break the deadlock.

Davies almost added a second just before half-time when he rose to meet Gareth Caughter’s cross but his powerful header was well saved by Price.

Half-time: Bangor City 0 Porthmadog 1

Early in the second half Paul Roberts put Bangor back on level terms when Mike Linnecar’s long throw found him on the edge of the box and the experienced forward drilled a low shot to the left of the diving Harvey.

The game now swung from end to end with both sides building well, passing the ball around, and it was surprising that the score remained at 1-1 for so long.

Lee Webber kept Bangor out with a goal-line clearance while Paul Roberts came close with a low shot from 15 yards which brought a good save from Harvey.

As the game wore on the visitors took control with Jason Sadler holding the ball up well at the front and bringing other attackers into the game.

Subs Ian Williams and Curt Williams went close with long range efforts for Port and Webber just couldn’t get the ball out of his feet as the goal gaped in front of him.

This game deserved a quality winning goal and that is exactly what the crowd got.

With time running out, Sadler floated over a deep cross which Les Davies expertly controlled on his chest before firing powerfully past Price to settle the match.

The visiting supporters held their breath when Linnecar broke along the byline and sent the ball across the face of goal and when Harvey had to touch a snapshot on to the crossbar, but the scoring was over and the victory belonged to Porthmadog.

Bangor: Andrew Price, Kenny Burgess (Mike Burke), Ben Ogilvy, Kyle Jones, Tommy Harrison, Paul O’Neill, Mike Linnecar, Chris Priest, Paul Roberts, Carl Lamb (Layton Maxwell), Carl Jones.

Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, John G Jones, Geraint Mitchell, Lee Webber, Rhys Roberts (Curt Williams 72): Iwan Thomas (Ywain Gwynedd 67), Jon Peris Jones, Richard Hughes, Gareth Caughter (Ian Williams 67): Les Davies, Jason Sadler.