FLASHBACK – 10 years ago: Prestatyn Town and Bangor City battle elements – and each other
FLASHBACK – WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE
Prestatyn Town 0
Bangor City 0
December 14, 2013
Should it be against the law to commemorate a 0-0 draw?
Well, 10 years ago today, one club sadly no longer here and another now a shadow of its former self met in the Welsh Premier League.
Yes, it finished 0-0 between Prestatyn Town and Bangor City at Bastion Gardens, but maybe worth a look back just for the names involved?
I remember once recalling a 0-0 draw between Porthmadog and Llangefni and it attracted a Christmas sack full of views!
On December 14, 2013, a draw at Prestatyn was probably a fair result. It was certainly unusual for these great rivals, who concocted some goal-packed thrillers over the years, should produce a blank scoresheet between them. But the weather won the day on this occasion.
Bangor played the first half attacking the social club end with the wind at their backs. Prestatyn opted to deploy Michael Parker at centre half alongside Tommy Holmes and brought in Carl Murray up front. To be fair to Parker he did a decent job of marking Les Davies upon his return to the blues starting line up.
What made the wind more difficult was that it tended to gust and then drop unpredictably towards the club end and whip the ball away on the dry bouncy Bastion Gardens pitch.
The re-instated Davies sent a couple of long range efforts well wide in the opening quarter. Sion Edwards worked the keeper with a high shot which was easily saved but gradually the home side got to grips with the elements and forced Bangor back.
On the half hour Prestatyn won their second corner which Holmes flicked on to ex-Tranmere star Andy Parkinson but he fired into the side netting. Five minutes later City won their second flag kick but this time Anthony Miley headed wide.
Ten minutes before the interval came a very harsh yellow card for Les Davies as he collided with keeper Dave Roberts whilst chasing a high bouncing ball into the box. Both players went for the ball and a collision was inevitable.
After some treatment Roberts was fit to continue – he made nothing of the incident in fairness – but referee Mark Whitby had set heads shaking amongst the blue contingent – not for the first time.
Five minutes later Jamie Petrie passed to Damien Allen but his first time chip flew over from 25 yards and in the final action of the first half, Ross Stephens’ header unsettled visiting keeper Lee Idzi but City scrambled clear.
HALF TIME 0-0
One change at the interval as Bangor sent on midfielder Rob Jones in place of left-back Joe Culshaw.
The defence now comprised a back three with the extra man Rob Jones pushed into midfield. To be fair this worked well and City certainly played more controlled football into the wind. Rob Jones raced past Parker on the right, appeared to be scythed down, but Referee Whitby waved play on.
City won a free-kick on the left which Dec Walker liked the look of but his powerful drive cannoned against the wall. Left winger Sion Edwards fired goalwards from a central position but Neil Gibson blocked bravely and the ball looped up to goalkeeper Roberts.
Moments later Gbson ran at the Bangor defence but sent a weak shot directly at Idzi.
Davies raced down the left wing, beyond Chris Davies and Rhys Lewis but no City forward could get on the end of his inviting low cross.
With 68 minutes gone young Kieran Lewis replaced Carl Murray who had worked hard upfront for Prestatyn.
Sion Edwards shot powerfully but into the side netting before Parker’s lofted clearance bounced alarmingly and forced Idzi to push the ball away for a corner. With 15 minutes left Jamie McDaid came on for Petrie.
As time ran out Prestatyn used the wind to good effect but with Miley once more oustanding Bangor held out, blues keeper Idzi saved well from one Stephens effort.
Bangor boss Nev Powell could feel pleased with his change of formation which certainly contributed to the defensive solidity by stemming the supply from midfield.
So a goalless draw, a game dominated by a wind strong enough to worry caravan owners and set trampolines bouncing.
TEAMS
Prestatyn Town
Dave Roberts
Chris Davies
Jack Lewis
Rhys Owen
Tommy Holmes
Rhys Lewis
Michael Parker
Neil Gibson
Andy Parkinson
Carl Murray (Kieran Ellis 68)
Ross Stephens
SUBS
Simon Williams
Alex Jones
Luke Astley
Niall Butler
Craig Griffiths
Reece Fairhurst
BANGOR CITY
Lee Idzi
Dec Walker
Joe Culshaw (Rob Jones 46)
Michael Johnston
Anthony Miley
Ryan Edwards
Chris Jones
Damien Allen
Les Davies
Jamie Petrie (Jamie McDaid 76)
Sion Edwards
SUBS USED
Nic Bould
Luke Gibson
Iolo Hughes
Corey Jones
John Littlemore