Bangor 1876 end their season top of the table – but will they stay there?

ARDAL NORTH WEST REPORT AND TABLE – MAY 6, 2023

Bangor 1876 3 (McGonigle 43, Morris 49, Clarke 84)
Hawarden Rangers 2 (Davies 20, Ratcliffe pen 60)

Report: Jonathan Ervine

Bangor 1876 finished their debut tier 3 campaign top of the Ardal North West table after an 84th minute decider from Tom Clarke clinched victory over determined Hawarden at Treborth.

Whether they stay in first place is another matter. Second-place Denbigh Town need just a point from their final game at bottom side Rhostyllen next Saturday and with 16 wins in their last 17 league outings, one has to believe the all-reds from the Vale of Clwyd will be crowned champions – but who knows?

Without Bangor, there would not have been a title race going down to the last day. The fan-owned 1876 rounded off their league programme with a run of eight straight victories which started with a hard-earned success at Hawarden on March 18.

While favourites to complete a double over Rangers on Saturday, the task proved anything but easy for Michael Johnston’s men.

Early on, it was the hosts who pressed for an opener. Corrig McGonigle went close to adding to his impressive goals tally from a free-kick inside the opening quarter-hour, but his effort was well saved by visiting keeper Joseph O’Connor.

McGonigle managed to put the ball in the net a few minutes later following a knockdown by Liam Morris, but was flagged offside.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead after 20 minutes. A quick counter attack enabled Scott Davies to get behind the defence and he calmly beat Carl Jones with a low shot after receiving a well-paced pass from Ellis Jones.

Five minutes after falling behind, 1876 almost levelled when Morris swung in a cross from the left. It was met on the run by Jamie Petrie, but his attempt struck the outside of the post and went wide.

Hawarden nearly doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark after they broke down the right. The ball was cut back to Ellis Jones, whose shot was parried by Carl Jones.

Just as it looked like Bangor were set to go in at the break a goal behind, they equalised. Morris showed some pace on the left and fired in a low cross that was turned in at the back post by McGonigle, who made it 54 goals for the campaign.

Half-Time: 1-1

Within three minutes of the restart, Bangor took the lead. Petrie showed some neat footwork on the right side of the box and drilled across the face of goal. The ball was turned in from close range at the back stick by consistent marksman Morris.

Shortly before the hour, the visitors equalised from a penalty awarded for handball. James Ratcliffe converted with a powerful low shot.

1876 pushed for a third, but frustration was showing until with seven minutes left, a goal finally arrived. A long throw by Shaun Lock from the right was flicked on by Les Davies and headed in by Tom Clarke.