FLASHBACK – 10 YEARS AGO: Nine-man Bangor edge windswept relegation battle at Prestatyn

Welsh Premier League – December 21, 2014

Prestatyn Town 1 (J Davies 81)
Bangor City 2 (L Davies 15, C Jones 64)

Ten years ago this weekend nine-man Bangor City held out for a hard-fought 2-1 win at Bastion Gardens.

This game was dominated by a strong wind which blew from the open end into the clubhouse and boosted Bangor in the first period.

With that at their backs City dominated for long periods and would have been disappointed with only one goal to show for their efforts.

Bangor forced three early corners before Dec Walker and Michael Johnston had shots blocked by Dave Hayes and co. Les Davies set up Ryan Edwards, but Hayes was again in the line of fire.

Prestatyn responded on 13 minutes when ex-Tranmere Rovers striker Andy Parkinson sprung into action with a pacey run down the left and rising shot which Jack Cudworth pushed over acrobatically.

In the 15th minute Bangor had the all-important lead. A long booted clearance by Cudworth was allowed to bounce by the home defence and enabled the alert Les Davies to drill low and wide of keeper Scott Williams to the delight of the blue horde.

Chris Jones had a goal ruled out for offside before Davies and Sion Edwards went close.

Bangor were reduced to 10 men before the half-hour when defender Leon Clowes was adjudged to have fouled Ben Maher.

Could Bangor compete with one less player? The answer was yes as Johnston dropped into central defence and Ryan Edwards and Damien Allen worked overtime for the remaining hour.

On 30 minutes, Cudworth saved well from Ross Stephens before Sion Edwards and Sam Hart went perilously close for City with curling efforts from distance.

So, a slender interval advantage for Bangor, who now faced the second period with 10 men – and against the wind.

Rather than drop back and defend deep, Bangor opted to test the home defence at the start of the second half.
Town rallied and worked Cudworth with a couple of long range efforts by Stephens and Jordan Davies but both lacked power, then a long throw from Jack Lewis was headed narrowly wide by Hayes.

On 64 minutes Bangor doubled the lead against the odds. Chris Jones’ shot took a deflection off Jack Lewis, looped over goalkeeper Williams and into the home net.

It might have got even better for Neville Powell’s men as Davies latched onto a weak clearance to bustle on goal but Hayes cleared his right-footer off the line.

With 20 minutes left Parkinson forced a decent save out of Cudworth.

In the 78th minute disaster struck for Bangor as a high bouncing ball tempted Davies to lift his foot and catch Hayes high on his body. Second yellow and red for Les and a body blow for City who were now down to nine men.

Two minutes later the Prestatyn bench jumped for joy as Parkinson crossed from the right and Jordan Davies slotted home from 10 yards out.

However, Town’s attempts to force an equaliser proved fruitless and Bangor collected the points.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

At the end of the season, Prestatyn Town finished bottom of the Welsh Premier and were relegated after seven seasons in the top flight.

Bangor finished third from the basement and avoided relegation.

The teams met four times in the league during 2014-15, Bangor winning three by scores of 4-0 and 3-1 (phase 2) and 2-1 (phase 1) and there was a 3-3 thriller at Nantporth.

PRESTATYN TOWN

Scott Williams

Ban Maher (Neil Gibson 82)

Jack Lewis (Gareth Wilson 70)

Dave Hayes

Rhys Lewis

Mike Pritchard

Mike Parker

Jordan Davies

Andy Parkinson

Zyaac Edwards (James Stead 74)

Ross Stephens

BANGOR CITY

Jack Cudworth

Dec Walker

Sam Hart

Michael Johnston

Leon Clowes

Anthony Miley

Chris Jones (Rob Jones 82)

Ryan Edwards (Corey Jones 90)

Les Davies

Damien Allen

Sion Edwards (Jamie Petrie 82)

ATTENDANCE: 320