Flashback – 20 years ago: Bangor City 3 Caernarfon Town 3 (Boxing Day 2001)

Bangor City 3 (Roberts, Lloyd Williams 2)
Caernarfon Town 3 (Barton 2, Mutton)
League Of Wales – December 26, 2001

Report: Mike Smith, Citizens Choice website

On Boxing Day 20 years ago, Bangor fought back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to grab a share of the spoils in a derby which saw three players sent off.

Then City defender Huw Griffiths, now manager of Caernarfon, was first to go after reportedly head-butting an opponent following a 10th minute melee in the visitors goalmouth.

The game immediately swayed to the other end and Danny Barton headed Town in front.

No sooner had the shouting died down than the Canaries’ Tony Smith became the second justifiable dismissal when his late lunge on recalled right-back Steve Cooper led to a red.

In the 18th minute Barton did it again, running through to beat Phil Priestley despite a suspicion of offside.

With Bangor fans roaring the blues forward, Paul Roberts underlined his reputation as one of the most consistent strikers in the league with a much-needed goal to close the gap to 2-1.

City rallied and had the better of the closing stages. Marc Lloyd Williams was clear but failed to convert.

Half time: Bangor City 1 Caernarfon Town 2

After the interval City continued to press and Lloyd Williams equalised on the hour to the delight of the home crowd.

But within 10 minutes the Cofis went 3-2 up. Barton ran through but his shot was parried by Priestley to the previously offside Tommy Mutton, who was allowed to tap in.

The second Caernarfon player to be sent off was defender Danny Jellicoe who was dispatched for a second yellow after a clash with Lloyd Williams, which seemed a little harsh.

However, never one to let a chance go begging, Lloyd Williams stepped up on 68 minutes to convert a free kick, which slipped under visiting keeper Steve Skupski.

City replaced Alan Goodall with former Canary Chris Short to add defensive stability. In fairness to him, he did just that.

Both sides had chances to win it. Cooper had to clear off the line for City, but overall in difficult conditions a draw was probably about right.

Bangor: Phil Priestley, Owain Tudur Jones, Alan Goodall, Steve Cooper, Aled Rowlands, Huw Griffiths, Marc Lloyd Williams, Clayton Blackmore, Paul Roberts, Simon Davies, Kenny Burgess.
Subs: Chris Short, Aled Jones, Paul Sellars.

Caernarfon: Steve Skupski, Emrys Williams, Scott Millington, Danny Jellicoe, Mark Antrobus, Leigh Williams, Ryan Baker, Tony Smith, Danny Barton, Tommy Mutton, Gwyn Peters.
Subs: Tim Brandreth, Jason Sadler, Mick Moore.