Flashback – 15 years ago today: Nine-man Bangor City win 3-2 at Caersws in Welsh Cup classic
15 YEARS AGO
WELSH CUP THIRD ROUND
Caersws 2 (Haynes 11, Griffiths 41)
Bangor City 3 (Limbert pen 37, Johnston 39, Walsh 113)
Report: Mike Smith (The Citizens Choice)
Fifteen years ago this weekend nine-man Bangor produced one of the most heroic displays in the club’s history to emerge as 3-2 winners against the odds in a third round Welsh Cup classic at the Recreation Ground, Caersws.
Down to nine players for the final 10 minutes of the 90 and the whole of extra time, City somehow prevailed to earn a trip to Aberystwyth in the last 16.
Bangor started brightly, a 30-yarder from Les Davies rattling the post, but it was Caersws who took an 11th minute lead.
A long range free-kick from Jamie Haynes deceived Paul Smith and bounced into the Bangor net.
Davies went close again before Steve Towers entered the referee’s notebook. The resulting free-kick from Marc Limbert was headed wide by Davies.
After a midway lull Bangor came to life 10 minutes before the interval when Davies slid Ashley Stott in on the left, but the young striker’s effort ran across goal.
On 37 minutes Bangor were level. Stott ran into the box and was felled by Mark Griffiths. Up stepped Limbert to beat Andy Mulliner from the spot.
From the kick off City went ahead for the first time. Stott fired towards the bottom left-hand corner from 20 yards, but with the travelling blues celebrating Mulliner turned the ball out for a flag-kick.
Limbert delivered into the six-yard box and Michael Johnston headed cleanly downwards and saw the ball stuck in the top corner of the goal.
With Bangor now on top and seemingly heading for a comfortable win, it was time to relax. Big mistake! A clever, intricate move on the Caersws right saw Graham Evans’ back-heel set up young Mark Griffiths, who readily atoned for his earlier mistake.
In the closing minutes Kieran Killackey was harshly yellow carded for a trip on halfway – no threat of a breakaway or last man – before veteran Mulliner saved twice, from Limbert and then Mike Walsh. At half time it was 2-2 and 11 men apiece.
HALF-TIME: Caersws 2 Bangor City 2
So to the drama-packed second half.
Limbert crossed from the right but Stott headed wide, then the same pair combined again but Stott was off target.
Moments later City’s captain crashed a shot towards goal which winded Colin Reynolds, who watched in horror as the ball dropped to Davies, but he lashed wide.
On 64 minutes came the first red card as Killackey was dismissed for a mistimed tackle on halfway.
City continued to look the more likely to score and some hard graft from the Maesgeirchen winger set up Walsh, who sliced wide.
Home left-back Mike Sawtell was next into the book for a foul. Referee Mark Whitby then pulled back Dave Swanick, who was in a shooting position inside the Caersws box – to award a free-kick to Bangor!
Mulliner saved comfortably from Stott before, on 76 minutes, Christian Seargeant came on for Sion Edwards as manager Nev Powell reorganised his 10 men.
In the 80th minute the visitors were down to nine.
Swanick clearly fouled Sawtell high up the pitch, in front of the home dugout. Referee Whitby responded to their cries with a straight red even though the home defender was up on his feet to play on without treatment.
In the time that remained Davies powered his way down the right but Stott struck narrowly wide, and moments later was replaced by Peter Hoy.
Substitute Hoy went close in the closing minutes before Mr Whitby whistled for time.
Into the first period of extra time, City still looked the more dangerous in attack, Davies alone upfront in a 4-3-1 formation, although top marks to Martin Beattie and Hoy, who pushed forward at every opportunity.
Seargeant shot over after good approach play from Davies and Walsh. Caersws sub Nathan Prodger went close before Seargeant also cleared the bar with a rising effort.
The second period saw Prodger yellow-carded for barging Paul Smith, then Reynolds did well to cut short Davies’ progress on the left with a perfectly-timed sliding tackle in the box.
With 113 minutes on the clock Bangor won just their third corner of the afternoon which was delivered onto the head of Walsh, who headed home to the delight of the Citizens contingent.
Caersws tried to rally, but the nine men held firm. Astonishing stuff really, and a deserved win for Bangor against all odds in the end.
TEAMS
Caersws
Andy Mulliner, Jon Jones, Mike Sawtell, Colin Reynolds, Steve Towers, Jamie Haynes, Mark Griffiths, Aeron Edwards, Graham Evans, Neil Mitchell, Andy Davies. Subs: Nathan Prodger, Chris Smout, Jamie Davies
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: Christian Seargeant, Peter Hoy, Ben Ogilvy.