15 years ago – Bangor City win over Llandyrnog kickstarts amazing Welsh Cup victory streak

15 YEARS AGO – OCTOBER 6, 2007

WELSH CUP ROUND TWO

Bangor City 3 (Stott 42 & 85, Davies 78)
Llandyrnog United 0

A Welsh Cup tie played 15 years ago this weekend turned out to be far more significant than it first might have appeared.

Bangor City’s first match in the competition under new manager Neville Powell produced a hard-earned win over Llandyrnog, then of the tier-two Cymru Alliance.

However, what no-one knew at the time was this result started a probable record-breaking run of 22 Welsh Cup tie wins for the Citizens.

They went on to triumph in the finals of 2008, 2009 and 2010 and made it all the way to the 2011 showpiece game, where their phenomenal streak of victories finally ended against Llanelli.

Nonetheless, October 6, 2007 saw the start of a stunning adventure in Bangor’s history.

22 games, 22 wins, 60 goals scored, 15 conceded.

Not a confirmed Welsh Cup all-time record run of victories, but certainly a major contender for that accolade.

On a warm, sunny afternoon at Farrar Road, Bangor posed a few threats before the visitors went close when the towering Jon Slater slid the ball in near post for Craig Wilkinson, but he missed the target.

Bangor forced a corner, but as United countered David Ross Williams forced a tremendous one-handed save from Paul Smith, who was excellent throughout.

Ashley Stott was involved in most of Bangor’s brighter moments and his run into the box ended in a brave block from Adam Lloyd. The ball ran loose to Kieran Killackey, whose 20 yard pile-driver fizzed over the bar.

On 42 minutes City had the lead. Stott gathered the ball on the left, cut inside and finished calmly right-footed past despairing keeper Ian Davies.

With relief flowing City then crafted the move of the first half, if not the match. Marc Limbert unleashed a superb cross-field ball which Sion Edwards met and swept across from the left but just beyond the inrushing Stott.

Half-time, 1-0 to Bangor, but Llandyrnog putting on a great show.

The second period got underway with a lengthy stoppage after home keeper Smith was injured as he raced out to clear from Slater. Happily he was able to continue after treatment.

Bangor opened with another great ball from Limbert which Stott belted goalwards, but the athletic Davies denied him.

A trademark Les Davies shot thumped the upright from 20 yards, then a tremendous piece of skill from left-back Martin Beattie saw him waltz past three defenders into the box but send his attempt over the bar.

On the hour, calamity for the hosts. Slater tempted Lee Webber, whose tackle prompted referee Mike Jones to award – rightly it has to be said – a penalty to Llandyrnog.

Up stepped former Preston apprentice Wilkinson but his low strike was brilliantly saved by Smith to the delight of the blues support.

The impressive Smith had little time to rest on his laurels as Llandyrnog number five Lloyd’s shot crashed goalwards, but the keeper palmed over.

On 65 minutes the first of many subs saw former Welshpool winger Stuart Vernon replace David Ross Williams up front for Dyrny.

Moments later Mark Smyth came on for Sion Edwards. Then Rhys Llwyd replaced Dan Roberts in another United switch.

Bangor really needed that second goal and on 78 minutes it finally came.

Limbert’s cross from the right was thrashed home by Les Davies to give Ian Davies no chance.

Two more subs, Dyfan Lloyd for Roger Beech and then Christian Seargeant for Mike Walsh, before the third and final goal of the afternoon.

In the 85th minute Stott cut in from the left and curled home right-footed beyond the spirited Davies.

Tremendous effort from Llandyrnog, while City fans surely had no clue at that stage that this tie sparked off the Welsh Cup adventure of a lifetime.

TEAMS

BANGOR CITY

Paul Smith
Dave Swanick
Martin Beattie
Michael Johnston
Lee Webber
Kieran Killackey
Marc Limbert
Mike Walsh
Les Davies
Ashley Stott
Sion Edwards
SUBS
Mark Smyth
Peter Hoy
Christian Seargeant

LLANDYRNOG UNITED

Ian Davies
Owain Roberts
Roger Beech
Rhys Jones
Adam Lloyd
Chris Williams
Anthony Marshall
Craig Wilkinson
Jon Slater
David Ross Williams
Dan Roberts
SUBS
Rhys Llwyd
Stuart Vernon
Dyfan Lloyd