FLASHBACK – 25 years ago: Bangor City edge narrow win over Nev’s Nomads

LEAGUE OF WALES – DECEMBER 27, 1999

Connah’s Quay Nomads 0
Bangor City 1 (Roberts 15)

Match information: Mike Smith, Citizens Choice website

Long before he returned to Bangor City to become manager, Neville Powell was in charge of a Connah’s Quay Nomads side which lost 1-0 at home to the Citizens on this date 25 years ago.

Nev had previously been a hero as a player at Farrar Road, but on this day his aim was very much focused on beating the all-blues.

This post-Christmas clash brought a deserved win for Bangor, in the proverbial game of two halves.

Powell had the Nomads fired up and they started well, causing problems for City on their right with Andy Thomas in plenty of space.

Despite some good work from Jon Kenworthy and neat prompting from Andy Griffiths, possession did not convert into goals.

On 15 minutes City showed what difference a class striker can make. Paul Roberts thrashed the ball home from 20 yards after a great solo run – despite having defenders around him. Goalkeeper Phil Collister was beaten by the pace on the ball and the travelling fans were on their feet!

Two minutes later Roberts again ran through. Collister this time pulled off a good save, and as the rebound broke wide, the City front man hit his shot into the side-netting.

On the half hour Kenworthy hit the Bangor bar as the home side fought back, dominated territorially, but seldom forced a shot on target.

Half Time 0-1

With the second half came a complete change of dominance. City found their passing game, Lewis Coady as ever prominent, and pushed the home side back again and again.

Within five minutes of the restart both Coady and Roberts shot cleanly from outside the box but just wide.

Then Quay’s Julian Pepper forced Andy Mulliner into a good low save before City’s Robbie Williams took an excellent through ball from Phil Johnson and shot just wide.

The 53rd minute brought calamity as Griffiths ran into Sean Hazelden for a penalty decision. Kenworthy took the kick, but Mulliner dived low to his right to catch and hold the shot, to the huge delight of the City contingent of more than 200. From that position Paul Roberts found himself upfield but again shot wide.

City were comfortably in control now, with the calm figure of Johnson and the gliding Coady prominent, and Gavin Allen and Roberts confusing Jamie Jardine and Carl Smyth with the balance and movement.

More chances came and went, Aled Rowlands replaced the injured Allen on 75 minutes, then Mulliner held two well struck crosses as the spirited Nomads fought for a point.

Ten minutes from time Matthew Cross centred from the left, Roberts headed powerfully goalwards only for Coady to blaze over from less than a yard!

There was still time for Scott Williams to create havoc with a surging run, and for Roberts to hit the crossbar with a fierce shot.

This was the final win for City in a marvellous run of 12 straight victories and 14 games overall without defeat. The start of the new year was to be far less cheerful.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

• Nomads finished 7th in the League of Wales that season and Bangor ended up ninth.
• Connah’s Quay made it one league win apiece between the sides in 1999-2000 with a 2-0 success at Farrar Road, Stuart Rain with both goals in the April 2000 clash.
• Bangor defeated the Deesiders 3-1 at home in an early Gilbert League Cup encounter, Aaron Thomas (2) and Richie Semple with the goals, Carl Smyht replying with a penalty.

TEAMS

Bangor City

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

Connah’s Quay

1 Phil Collister
2 Andy Thomas
3 Steve Hopkins
4 Craig Hutchinson
5 Jamie Jardine
6 Carl Smyth
7 Stuart Rain
8 Andy Griffiths
9 Julian Pepper
10 Jon Kenworthy
11 Paul Mazzarella
Subs
Jamie Holmes
Kevin Davies
Mike Carroll