Flashback – 20 years ago: Despite giving Barry a great battle City lose narrowly

Bangor City 2 (P Roberts 50, 55)
Barry Town 3 (Lloyd 16, French 56, Moralee 65)
League of Wales – April 10, 2001

Battling Bangor were pipped for the points but this performance was a big improvement on the 6-1 thrashing suffered at Jenner Park in January and offered Meirion Appleton’s men hope for the remaining seven games.

City were struggling near the bottom end of the table, while high-flying Barry were on course for a fifth league title.

For this match, played 20 years ago today, the all-blues brought back Rhodri Giggs and Aled Rowlands in place of Richard Owen and Ian Burgess compared to the team which won at Haverfordwest, but goal machine Marc Lloyd Williams was still unfit.

Paul Roberts might have swept City ahead in the opening minute as he shot wide when well placed. But it was the visitors who went ahead through Gary Lloyd whose close range header beat Paul Evans on 16 minutes.

Barry settled to play their customary passing game with City competing well and putting the man with the ball under pressure.

Half-time: Bangor 0 Barry 1

The remaining goals all came in a 20-minute period immediately after the interval.

Impressive striker Paul Roberts struck a shot which former Manchester United reserve Fraser Digby could only parry, but the former Porthmadog hot-shot converted the rebound to tie the scores at one-all.

On 55 minutes Roberts put Bangor ahead with a powerful shot from the edge of the box which appeared to pass under the diving Digby.

However, Barry fought back to equalise within a minute as Jon French headed home.

Then on 65 minutes the visitors took the lead as Jamie Moralee pounced on some defensive uncertainty to score from close range.

Both sides had further chances but Barry ran out winners.

Bangor City: Paul Evans, Graham Brett, Aled Rowlands, Clive Brown, Paul Sellers, Clayton Blackmore, Matthew Bishop, Steve Cooper, Paul Roberts, Craig Roberts, Rhodri Giggs. Subs: Richard Owen, Jason Anthony, Ian Burgess.

Barry Town: Fraser Digby, Terry Evans, Gary Lloyd, Richard Kennedy, Andrew York, Lee Phillips, Ken Brown, Jon French, Jamie Moralee, Mike Flynn, Luke Staton. Subs: Simon Truman, Neil Sharpe, Geoff McClean.

Report: Mike Smith (Citizens Choice)