FLASHBACK – 20 years ago: Bird gives Caernarfon Town wings in post-Christmas derby battle

LEAGUE OF WALES – DECEMBER 27, 2004

Caernarfon Town 2 (L Jones 62 pen, Bird 84)
Bangor City 1 (Davies 55)

Michael Bird’s 84th minute winner from a free kick booked three hard-earned points for Caernarfon in this post-Christmas derby held at The Oval 20 years ago today.

Former Wales schoolboy international Bird played for clubs in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in his career, namely Bolton Wanderers, Aberdeen, Glenavon, then Caernarfon Town in 2004-05.

He later had a brief spell at Colwyn Bay.

While Bird was the match-clincher on this day, the Canaries’ star player was undoubtedly outstanding goalkeeper David Walsh.

Bangor might have gone ahead on five minutes when Les Davies controlled Simon Davies’ cross for Tony Gray to force a good save from veteran Walsh.

Then Clayton Blackmore picked up a crossfield ball from Paul Roberts but saw his long range shot palmed over for a corner. Soon after Davies drifted onto the edge of the box, controlled a high ball, before blasting a trademark left-footer wide of the target.

Gray went close twice more, both times cutting in from the left and shooting right-footed at Walsh’s goal.

The first sped wide of the right post and the second resulted in a great save from the former Wrexham stopper.

Gray and Walsh soon resumed hostilities when the little striker forced a good fingertip save.

The one-way traffic halted briefly as Blackmore’s back-pass hit a divot and avoided Richard Acton’s attempted clearance, but City’s number one chased back and scrambled the ball out for a corner.

Gray was again thwarted by the Caernarfon keeper who palmed the ball wide and watched helplessly as Paul Roberts crashed the short range opening into the side-netting.

Caernarfon had their first chance of note on 35 minutes when Robbie Williams sliced well wide from 20 yards.

Further City pressure before the break brought no reward. The visitors will have been very disappointed to find themselves level at half time.

After the break, the wind blowing the home side towards the social club end had strengthened and the rain was a touch heavier, but City still seemed the better side.

The first opening fell to Phil Baker, whose shot was cleanly held by Walsh.

On 55 minutes Bangor finally went ahead. Simon Davies collected a ball down the left flank off Roberts who nutmegged Mark Hobson. The former Welsh international crossed to the back post where Les Davies continued his fine goalscoring form with a clean header.

However, Caernarfon hit back on 62 minutes as Baker was adjudged to have fouled Lee Jones inside the Bangor box. Referee Kevin Parry cheered the locals with a double whammy – red card and penalty. Lee Jones stepped up to convert the spot kick with his first touch of the game.

The rain and wind strengthened and the home fans smelt blood. Jones now seemed briefly revitalised and struck the upright with a clean drive before Acton made a fine save at his near post from a close range shot.

Davies was now operating up front in a reshuffled Bangor line up, and he wriggled free of the home defence but saw his shot cannon off the post and away to safety.

On 84 minutes, Caernarfon won a free-kick 30 yards out and Bird sent a well-struck shot over Acton into the roof of the Bangor net.

Paul Roberts thought he had salvaged a point with a powerful run past Hobson and Waynne Phillips, but he reckoned without the outstanding Walsh who again conceded a corner to keep his goal intact.

The kick came in but to no avail, and after a few minutes of injury time, Caernarfon were celebrating a derby triumph.

TEAMS

Caernarfon: David Walsh, Waynne Phillips, Marcus Orlik, Martyn Chalk, Mark Hobson, Jimmy McNulty, Gwyn Peters, Robbie Williams, Lee Jones, Michael Bird, Aaron Thomas.
Subs: Evans, Hogg, Redshaw

Bangor: Richard Acton, Clayton Blackmore, Kevin Scott, Eifion Jones, Phil Baker, Simon Davies, Mark Connolly, Owain Jones, Paul Roberts, Tony Gray, Les Davies. Subs: Chris Short, Frank Mottram, Gareth Williams, Morgan Jones

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

• Bangor City finished third at the end of 2004-05 and qualified for the Intertoto Cup.
• Caernarfon Town ended up fourth from bottom of the League of Wales.
• Bangor gained revenge over the Cofis with a 2-0 win at Farrar Road on New Year’s Day, Clayton Blackmore and Morgan Jones finding the net.
• City and Town met in a two-legged League Cup tie early in 2004-05 and the Canaries won both games, 3-2 away and 4-3 at The Oval.
• Match-winner Michael Bird is now a deputy headteacher in the Greater Manchester area.