FLASHBACK – 25 years ago: Bangor City make it 11 straight wins as Robbie Williams entertains

LEAGUE OF WALES – DECEMBER 18, 1999

Bangor City 3 (Hazelden, P Roberts, R Williams)
Inter Cardiff 1 (I Jones)

Report: Mike Smith, Citizens Choice website

On this date 25 years ago Bangor City celebrated their 11th successive win in what ended up a run of 12 straight victories.

Lowly visitors Inter Cardiff were no match for Meirion Appleton’s men on this day at Farrar Road – even with Logan Plant, son of legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert in their line-up.

No stairway to heaven for the capital travellers that afternoon.

City’s own famous musical namesake, Robbie Williams, was the star of the show.

On a tacky playing surface, the game was by no means a classic, but the Citizens did well enough to make it 21 league points out of a possible 21 going back to a 2-1 success at Cefn Druids in October.

The opening 15 minutes offered precious little as the students settled to a pleasing passing game and City opted to let them.

Then Robbie Williams began his solo display by winning a free-kick in front of the main stand as City attacked the Farrar End. Phil Johnson delivered a pacey cross and Sean Hazelden headed in from six yards.

Ten minutes later Johnson was involved again as he cut in from the right only to see his shot deflected wide. Next up Gavin Allen, looking a little below par, hesitated when put through and the chance was gone.

To be fair to Inter’s youngsters they were creating the odd chance and at one point forced two corners, but on 44 minutes the game was settled by another clever passage of play from Robbie Williams.

This time he weaved his way past several defenders before finding Paul Roberts who calmly shot past the impressive James Robinson.

Half Time 2-0

With the home fans settling back to enjoy a goal glut Lewis Coady ran down the right wing and created a good opening which neither Allen nor Roberts could convert.

In the 63rd minute Robbie Williams scored a magnificent solo effort. Receiving the ball 35 yards out with his back to goal, Williams flicked the ball over himself and his marker, turned quickly, gathered and lashed it into the right hand corner.

Moments later Coady was sent off for a two footed tackle on Christian Owen on the halfway line.

Late on, Ian Jones grabbed a well-deserved token goal for Inter.

Right on the bell Paul Roberts missed a good chance after an excellent build up involving Mattie Bishop on the Bangor right.

City also beat Inter Cardiff 4-0 at home in the Welsh Cup that season, but lost 1-0 to the students away towards the end of the campaign. Inter also escaped relegation.

Bangor City

1 Andy Mulliner
2 Phil Johnson
3 Matthew Cross
4 Scott Williams
5 Steve Bird
6 Graham Brett
7 Robbie Williams
8 Lewis Coady
9 Paul Roberts
10 Gavin Allen
11 Sean Hazelden

Subs

Mattie Bishop
Emrys Williams
Aled Rowlands

Inter Cardiff

1 James Robinson
2 Tomos Davies
3 Alun Hughes
4 Neil Davies
5 Logan Plant
6 Marc Burrow
7 Ian Edwards
8 Christian Owen
9 Neil Smothers
10 Neil Buchanan
11 Dave Broadbent

Subs

Chris Brennan
Gavin Beddard
Ian Jones