Flashback – 20 years ago: Relive drama of a goal-packed Welsh Premier League Cup thriller
LOOSEMORES LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINAL SECOND LEG – DECEMBER 9, 2003
Newtown 4 (Barton 2, Smith 2)
Bangor City 4 (Hunt 3, Davies)
(Bangor won 8-6 on aggregate)
Twenty years ago today there was a quite dramatic League Cup quarter-final second leg clash involving Bangor City.
Leading 4-2 from the first leg, City found themselves 4-1 down to Newtown in the return at Latham Park and at that stage were 6-5 down on aggregate and exiting the tournament.
Thankfully, the Citizens rolled their sleeves up and turned the tide to advance to the semis.
Newtown started well and went ahead on three minutes when Jason Turner did well to get a hand to a low shot from Peter Smith but the predatory Dan Barton tapped in the loose ball.
Stunned into action Bangor bounced back when a deep cross from the right found Paul Roberts whose sliced effort fell to Lee Hunt to drive the ball through Edwards’ legs from close range.
City then took a grip on things. Ricky Evans fired a 25 yard free-kick over and Hunt turned a low cross from Les Davies into the side netting.
Newtown retaliated with Barton setting up strike partner Smith but his long range shot flew over.
A clever combination between Hunt and midfielder Gareth Williams saw the Gresford lad’s shot saved by Paul Edwards. At the other end Paul Roberts battled his way to the edge of the box but saw his deflected effort saved.
However, against the run of play, Newtown took a half time advantage.
Smith ran infield from the right before sending a low shot past Turner into the bottom corner. City tried to level things but found Edwards in fine form in the Robins goal.
Half Time 2-1
Once again the hosts started well with Justin Wickham causing havoc on the right wing outside Barton and Smith. On 53 minutes Smith scored his second to bring Newtown level 5-5 on aggregate.
On 57 it was 4-1 on the night as Barton tapped in at the left hand post with the visitors’ defence at sea.
Trailing 4-1 on the night and 6-5 overall, City at last got a toehold on the tie on the hour.
Paul Roberts ran at the heart of the Robins defence, his shot through Edwards squirmed goalwards for Hunt to bundle in from close range. On 70 minutes Ross Jefferies replaced a tired Paul Roberts.
Newtown surged forward but Turner saved well at Barton’s feet. On 75 minutes it was 4-3 as the home defence failed to stop Les Davies advancing down the left before he dispatched a fierce drive past Edwards’ near post before the veteran stopper could react.
The big winger had switched to the left on the hour when Kenny Burgess replaced Gary Roberts.
Now the balance tipped well and truly in Bangor’s direction with a 7-6 overall advantage plus the all-important away goal.
Newtown needed to score twice in the closing 10 minutes. As it turned out Hunt calmly converted a chance created by Jefferies for his hat-trick and seventh goal against the Latham Park outfit that season.
City met Rhyl in the semi-finals and lost out 4-0 on aggregate.
Bangor City: Jason Turner, Peter Hoy, Alan Goodall, Eifion Jones, Clayton Blackmore, Gareth Williams, Paul Roberts, Les Davies, Lee Hunt, Ricky Evans, Gary Roberts
Subs: Paul Friel, Kenny Burgess, Ross Jefferies