Flashback – 20 years ago: Bangor City sparkle in Welsh Cup victory at Carmarthen
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: Alan Goodall of Morecambe in action during the Sky bet League Two match between Northampton Town and Morecambe at Sixfields Stadium on February 7, 2015 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
WELSH CUP QUARTER-FINAL – MARCH 9, 2002
Carmarthen Town 0
Bangor City 4 (Goodall, P Roberts, Lloyd Williams, W Jones OG)
Man of the match Alan Goodall’s late first-half strike put Bangor on the victory road in a Welsh Cup quarter-final played at Richmond Park 20 years ago this week.
Pre-game speculation about injuries and availability came to nothing as both clubs fielded full-strength sides.
The fact that City were to end up comfortable winners was scarcely obvious following an evenly contested first half.
With the wind at their backs, the visitors knew first half advantage was important, but early chances for Paul Roberts and Huw Griffiths only resulted in corners.
At the other end Wayne Jones forced Phil Priestley to palm over a vicious cross from the left.
On 20 minutes, Goodall won a corner following a cleanly struck shot from 22 yards from which Steve Cooper fired too close to keeper Robert Fitzgerald.
For Carmarthen, the gifted Ryan Nicholls caused problems for Griffiths and Graham Brett as the ball bobbled awkwardly in the visitors box.
Next, a last-ditch clearance saved City’s blushes as the Old Gold caused some confusion with a couple of well-taken corners.
Close to half time, the impressive Goodall grabbed the visitors the lead.
Aled Rowlands gathered the ball on the halfway line, scurried upfield to the edge of the box, and unselfishly set up Goodall, whose clean strike went straight through Fitzgerald.
Half-time: 0-1
Buoyed by the late goal, Bangor emerged full of confidence despite facing the gusty wind in the second period.
The defence stood firm as Carmarthen redoubled their efforts, but on 62 minutes Bangor’s lead became 2-0, Paul Roberts blasting past Fitzgerald from 20 yards.
Goodall raced in to fire just over from 15 yards as the immaculate Simon Davies pulled the midfield strings. With City’s midfield having far the better of the battle, more chances were sure to come.
Two goals in a minute settled the issue. On 83 minutes Marc Lloyd Williams picked his way past two home defenders to sweep the ball past goalkeeper Fitzgerald.
Then in the next attack unfortunate Town defender Wayne Jones bungled the ball into his own net from close range.
On 87 minutes Bangor sent on all three subs – Owain Tudur Jones, Sean Hazelden and Craig Roberts – with Clayton Blackmore, Griffiths and Kenny Burgess departing.
With time all but gone Craig Roberts nearly added to the scoreline but unfortunately his back post header went just wide.
EPILOG
Alan Goodall played for Bangor City between 2001-04, having joined the club from Poulton Victoria as a 19-year-old.
He made 91 first team appearances and was selected for the Welsh Premier Team of the Year in 2003-04.
The Birkenhead-born left-back went on to have a very decent Football League career with the likes of Rochdale, Luton Town, Chesterfield, Stockport County and Morecambe.
Goodall came out of retirement in 2018-19 and returned to the Welsh Premier for a brief spell with Aberystwyth Town.
City’s right-back at Carmarthen, Steve Cooper, is now manager of FA Cup quarter-finalists Nottingham Forest, having previously impressed in a spell as boss of Swansea City.
Bangor City: Phil Priestley, Steve Cooper, Alan Goodall, Graham Brett, Aled Rowlands, Huw Griffiths, Marc Lloyd Williams, Clayton Blackmore, Paul Roberts, Simon Davies, Kenny Burgess. Subs: Sean Hazelden, Owain Tudur Jones, Craig Roberts.
Carmarthen: Robert Fitzgerald, Sion Meredith, Wayne Jones, Wyn Thomas, Neil O’Brien, David Barnhouse, Chris Summers, Lee Jones, Ryan Nicholls, Shaun Chapple, Craig Evans. Subs: Luke Fayers, Dean Rossiter, Tim Hicks.