FLASHBACK – 20 years ago: Revenge for Bangor over Cofis in New Year’s Day derby

Welsh Premier League – January 1, 2005

Bangor City 2 (Blackmore 81, M Jones 83)
Caernarfon Town 0

Report: Mike Smith, Citizens Choice website

On New Year’s Day 20 years ago revenge struck late for Bangor as two goals in the last 10 minutes sealed a win over a Caernarfon side which beat the Citizens 2-1 at The Oval five days earlier.

Goals from Clayton Blackmore and Morgan Jones came only after City had struggled to establish a pattern of play on a treacherous Farrar Road surface.

With Phil Baker suspended and Mark Connolly injured, Bangor recalled Peter Hoy alongside Eifion Jones and Gareth Williams in central midfield.

The visitors were without Lee Jones, who also watched from the stands.

The opening quarter was reminiscent of a week earlier with City’s Tony Gray quickly testing David Walsh with a lofted drive from the edge of the box.

Then Paul Roberts chased a long clearance from Richard Acton, but his 20-yarder struck the crossbar.

The first constructive move of the match involved Gareth Williams and Simon Davies, but Owain Jones’ shot flew over.

Then Gray dragged the visitors’ defence to him on the right, switched play to Paul Roberts, but again Walsh stretched to save well and concede the first corner of the game.

City quickly won another corner but some slack marking suddenly saw the yellow and greens surge forward, four on one. However, the experienced figure of Blackmore got the better of the marauding quartet and forced the ball out for a corner on the right.

Caernarfon attacked once more, enjoying possession against the wind, and City were grateful for strong headers from Eifion Jones and Hoy to keep the visitors at arms length.

If Bangor had a first half failing it was under-hitting clearances which encouraged the opposition rather than pinning them back.

On the half hour, City won a free kick which was taken by Blackmore before Gray controlled and shot wide from 20 yards.

Paul Roberts then chested the ball down to Owain Jones, but his attempt was well saved by Walsh.

Half Time 0-0

With the wind at their backs Bangor forced an early second-half corner and Owain Jones saw his effort deflected wide by Phillips.

Aaron Thomas then forced a good save from Acton, whose clean handling was a welcome sight in the difficult gusty conditions. He also punched to good effect when called upon.

Les Davies, enjoying a fine tussle with the bulky Evans on the left, wriggled free of his marker but fired a wild shot into the Farrar End.

Then on 69 minutes, the injured Gareth Williams made way for Fachwen’s favourite son Morgan Jones.

However, he could only watch as Aaron Thomas ran at the Bangor defence, beat Acton twice, but saw his goalbound effort blocked by Hoy and then fired the rebound wide.

The noisy visiting fans at the St Paul’s End bellowed for a penalty but none was forthcoming.

On 72 minutes, Gray made way for Frank Mottram.

Soon after, Mottram ran onto a through ball from Davies, but his rising effort had too much lift to trouble Walsh.

Morgan Jones’ run down the right was abruptly ended by Osian Jones, who earned a yellow card for booting the ball away. The free kick was 15 yards along the touchline from the corner flag and ideal Simon Davies territory.

His curler deflected off Jimmy McNulty into the path of Blackmore, who capped a fine afternoon with a clean drive past Walsh from close range to make it 1-0.

The first goal was timed at 81 minutes and two more had gone when Kevin Scott’s throw-in found Davies on the left wing.

He rolled Evans and chased to the dead-ball line before finding Morgan Jones with a low cross which the 18 year old turned home instantly to the delight of the home fans.

Caernarfon struck back purposefully but City’s defence stood firm, in particular Eifion Jones and Hoy, who threw their bodies in the way and gave the visitors little or no space to work in.

In injury time, Town forced a couple of corners and Bangor were again made to defend bravely, but the clean sheet was protected.

The final whistle blew and Morgan Jones was left to enjoy his ovation from the appreciative home fans.

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

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

ATTENDANCE: 600