Ardal North West – Late Morris double seals a dramatic win for Bangor 1876
ARDAL NORTH WEST – MARCH 31, 2023
FLINT MOUNTAIN 2 (Molyneux 18, Antoine 27)
BANGOR 1876 3 (Petrie 28, Morris 83 & 86)
A Friday night cracker at the Essity Stadium saw Bangor 1876 fight back from 2-0 down to win and breathe new life into their title challenge.
Two goals in the closing minutes from Liam Morris turned what had been a frustrating night for the visitors into a joyous one, with the impact of 77th minute substitutes Dylan Williams and Gethin Thomas making a big difference.
The away side started well with top-scorer Corrig McGonigle put clear in the box on four minutes but John Danby kept out the striker’s shot with his legs and Jamie Petrie’s follow-up was deflected over.
Mountain were lively in attack and in the seventh minute Sam Jones was denied by a superb double save from Huw Shaw.
In the 14th minute Aden Shannon’s home team took the lead.
Calyn Spencer was taken out but managed to release the ball for Sam Molyneux to back-heel into the net, the outcome leaving referee Michael Gray with no decision to make on whether it was a penalty to the hosts.
On 21 minutes, 1876 were awarded a spot-kick after Morris was bundled over on the left side of the box.
McGonigle tried a Panenka-style penalty, but the ball drifted rather embarrassingly over the bar.
Advice to managers: ban your players from taking these kicks. They are for the elite only.
Spencer lashed inches wide before Flint went two-up in the 26th minute, Frankie Antoine finishing clinically after playing a swift one-two with Molyneux.
Bangor needed a quick reply and got one, Morris crossing low from the left and Petrie halving the deficit with a delicate finish.
Mountain were denied what looked like a clear penalty when Molyneux was clipped from behind in the box, but referee Gray was in the perfect position and was adamant it was not a spot-kick.
Half-time: Flint Mountain 2-1 Bangor 1876
Much of the second half was a disappointment as yellow cards began to flow and neither side put their passes together as they had in the opening 45.
Corey Jones’ volley was tipped over by Danby before Shaw produced a brilliant stop, diving full-length to keep out a goalbound Richie Foulkes free kick.
A key point in the match came on 70 minutes when Kyle Smyth side-footed against a post for the hosts. A goal at that point and it would surely have been curtains for 1876.
Spencer then fired wide from a good position. Time was running out for Michael Johnston’s side and they did not really look like turning the tables.
But subs Williams and Thomas added to their attacking presence.
Morris tested Danby in the 79th minute from 20 yards but the equaliser came with seven left on the clock.
Thomas’ corner led to a scramble from which Morris forced the ball home for 2-2.
Three minutes later Dylan Williams won possession in midfield and lofted a perfect ball into Thomas, who was in acres of space in the box.
Thomas rolled the ball to his right and there was Morris to slot in the winner to the delight of the vociferous 1876 fans.
Still the hosts were not finished and a tremendous free kick from Smyth forced an even better save from Shaw.
Bangor held on for the points which keeps them in second spot.
Mountain manager Aden Shannon and coach Joe Cossins were red-carded after the final whistle. Nine yellow cards were handed out in the second half, none in the first.
TEAMS
FLINT MOUNTAIN
John Danby
Alex Goundrey
Dom McHugh
Rowan Brooks
Aaron Hassall
Richie Foulkes (c)
Sam Molyneux
Sam Jones
Kyle Smyth
Calyn Spencer
Frankie Antoine
SUBS USED
Pete Martin (for Goundrey 87)
Jack Hitchen (for Antoine 87)
BANGOR 1876
Huw Shaw
Ben Owen
Kian Owen
Joe Culshaw
Corey Jones
Tom Clarke
Jamie Petrie
Adam Pritchard
Les Davies (c)
Corrig McGonigle
Liam Morris
SUBS USED
Gethin Thomas (for Jamie Petrie 77)
Dylan Williams (for Kian Owen 77)
Luke Steele (for Adam Pritchard 90+3)