JD Cymru North: Bangor 1876 kick on to win after Prestatyn rally

JD CYMRU NORTH – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Bangor 1876 4 (McGonigle 1, Stratulis 19 & 68, Morris 90+3)
Prestatyn Town 2 (Hughes 54, Edwards 62)

Having been pegged back to 2-2 from holding a two-goal lead, Bangor 1876 found a second wind and went on to claim their first league victory in eight attempts.

On a cold evening by the Menai Strait, Bangor took the lead after only 20 seconds. After breaking forward down the right, Dylan Summers-Jones played the ball across the face of goal and Corrig McGonigle netted from close range.

Town tried to rally, Robbie Parry firing in a shot from 20 yards at the other end but Carl Jones saved well.

Summers-Jones again turned provider in the 19th minute. The recent returnee crossed the ball and Ryan Stratulis scored with a hooked effort on the run.

Five minutes before the interval. Cai Powell-Roberts swung in a cross from the right and Stratulis narrowly missed the target with a glancing header.

Bangor made a swift start to the second half, a neat pass through the middle creating an opportunity for McGonigle, but Robbie Williams was out quickly to block his shot.

Despite Bangor’s spell of pressure after the interval, it was Prestatyn who were next to score. Rob Hughes reduced the deficit with a low shot from just outside the area.

Bangor sought to reassert themselves, a shot by Mason Blackwell-Jones from the edge of the penalty area deflected just wide of the target.

After 62 minutes, Prestatyn drew level. A corner was cleared initially but the visitors played the ball back down the right wing and Zebb Edwards got on the end of the cross to score with a powerful finish.

Five minutes after the visitors’ equaliser, Bangor regained the lead. Powell-Roberts beat his opponent and cut the ball back towards McGonigle. Rather than shoot, the prolific attacker laid the ball off to enable Stratulis to score his second goal of the evening.

Prestatyn responded positively and came close when a shot by Parry deflected off Clarke and went out for a corner. At the other end, McGonigle headed wide after Joe Culshaw crossed from the left.

With three minutes remaining, Prestatyn came within inches of an equaliser. Macauley Taylor got behind the Bangor defence and shot past Carl Jones, However, his attempt drifted just wide of the far post.

Once again there was to be a decisive moment in injury time. However, in contrast to recent 1876 experiences, this time it was one that would settle the nerves of their fans and send them home happy.

On a quick break forward, a neat through ball by Blackwell-Jones enabled Liam Morris to break into the box. The attacker from Anglesey took a touch to control the ball before finding the net with a powerful composed finish.

BANGOR 1876
Carl Jones, Cai Powell-Roberts, Joe Culshaw, James Barry, Jake Ellison, Tom Clarke, Mason Blackwell-Jones, Ryan Stratulis, Dylan Summers-Jones, Corrig McGonigle, Liam Morris.
Subs used: Joe Sullivan, Dion Jones, Harvey Scott.

PRESTATYN TOWN
Robbie Williams, James Jones, Zebb Edwards, Alex Jones, Robbie Parry, Rob Hughes, Sam Ashton, Casey Faulkner, Macauley Taylor, James Stead, Connor Whelan.
Subs used: Matthew Robinson, Tyler Joyce, Tom Weir.

ATTENDANCE: 324