JD Cymru North: Unbeaten Flint romp to victory at Bangor 1876

JD CYMRU NORTH

Bangor 1876 1 (McGonigle 84)
Flint Town United 4 (Phillips 22, Owen 32, Reeves 46, J Jones pen 58)

Although they lost tonight Bangor 1876 are still a good side who can feel proud of their first season efforts in Tier 2 so far.

However, 1876’s opponents this evening, Flint Town United, are also good – very good in fact.

Lee Fowler’s side overcame a tricky test at Nantporth in style, stretching their unbeaten league run to 13 matches and edging up to second, just three points behind leaders Airbus with three games in hand.

Bangor were first to threaten when Craig Whelan headed narrowly wide following a corner kick by Corrig McGonigle.

Shortly afterwards at the other end, Luis Lacey sent in a powerful low shot from 20 yards that Carl Jones saved at the second attempt. The visitors then menaced from a series of long throw-ins and corners but the home defence held firm.

Halfway through the opening period the visitors took the lead. Jake Phillips swung in a corner from the left which beat everyone and dropped in at the far post.

After 32 minutes the Silkmen went two-up when James Owen scored following a quickly taken corner.

Ten minutes before the break, Bangor had a chance to reduce the deficit when the ball was worked across to Cai Powell-Roberts on the right side of the penalty area but his rising shot went over the bar.

Just before the break, Gethin Thomas had a shot from 25 yards out that took a deflection but was saved by Josh Tibbets.

HALF-TIME: BANGOR 1876 0-2 FLINT TOWN UNITED

Inside the opening minute of the second period, Flint crucially extended their advantage. Elliott Reeves broke down the left, cut inside, and then fired a curling shot past Carl Jones.

Bangor came close to getting a goal back following a corner from half-time substitute Sion Edwards when a Flint defender almost found his own net, but the ball was cleared to safety.

Flint had a chance to extend their advantage from the penalty spot not long before the hour mark after a mis-timed challenge by Whelan. Joshua Jones made no mistake as he scored with a low shot into the bottom right corner.

Bangor continued to battle away as the clock ticked down and got a goal back with seven minutes left.

Joe Culshaw flighted a long ball into the box and McGonigle scored with a diving header.