Huge thanks to Mike Smith of the Citizens Choice website for his help with these reports
Bangor bowed out of the Gilbert Cup but deserved more than a draw on a wet and windy night at Farrar Road.
City took the lead in this group stage encounter, with hat-trick star Jamie Hughes heading over the stationary Phil Collister in the 25th minute for another goal against his old club.
The Nomads hit back within a minute as the gifted Jon Kenworthy finished a fine solo effort to level the scores.
Jamie Hughes struck again on 35 minutes from the penalty spot and City held on to the lead to be ahead at half time.
The second half was only five minutes old when Quay’s Stuart Terry converted a penalty which actually went in off a despairing Dave Williams.
With around 20 minutes remaining a defensive mistake let Ben Carrigan in to put the visitors ahead. City deservedly struck back as Jamie Hughes completed his treble with the last kick of the match as he swooped on a half chance created by a fierce 20 yard effort from Paul Roberts blocked by Collister.
Bangor City: Dave Williams, Phil Johnson, Mike Foster, Emrys Williams, Sean Hazelden, Scott Williams, Robbie Williams, Aled Rowlands, Jamie Roberts, Paul Roberts, Matthew Cross. Subs used: Lewis Coady, Carl Owen, Matthew Bishop.
Connah’s Quay Nomads: Phil Collister, Gavin Edwards, Aled Owen, Craig Hutchinson, Jamie Holmes, Carl Smythe, Andy Griffiths, Stuart Terry, Ben Carrigan, Jon Kenworthy, Paul Mazzarella. Subs: Barrowman, Andy Thomas, Steve Futcher.
Former Liverpool player Layton Maxwell was a hat-trick hero as Bangor ran riot in the second half of this Welsh Premier match after the strain of playing with 10 men finally told on The Bluebirds.
Referee Phil Southall became a central figure on 16 minutes when he consulted his linesman – who commented that Caersws’ Ricky Evans had kicked out angrily – and the big midfielder was red carded. What the official failed to mention was there was no-one close to Evans nor was there any intent to catch an opponent.
City quickly forged half-chances against the 10 men but did not take the lead until the stroke of half time when Carl Lamb ran into the box and was clearly blocked and floored by Hugh Clarke. Maxwell stepped up and blasted the ball wide of keeper Andy Mulliner and into the net.
No sooner had the second half got underway than City doubled their advantage. Alex Hay picked out midfielder Michael Walsh who slotted home confidently from the edge of the box.
On 57 minutes it was 3-0 as Caersws were caught by the pace of Hay who drove through Mulliner from 15 yards.
In the 72nd minute Hay raced down the right to drive across goal where the alert Maxwell prodded home. Three minutes later Hay notched his second as Lamb turned provider on the right.
The 90-minute mark had been reached when Maxwell completed his first hat-trick for the club from a Walsh assist.
There was still time for “second yellow” dismissal for Colin Reynolds as City won a late penalty but Chris McGinn’s low strike was clutched by the valiant Mulliner.
Bangor City: Andrew Price, Clayton Blackmore, Martin Beattie, Kyle Jones, Paul O’Neill, Chris Priest, Layton Maxwell, Mike Walsh, Paul Roberts, Carl Lamb, Paul Friel. Subs used: Alex Hay, Chris McGinn.
In their title-winning season Bangor City made it seven straight league wins at the expense of Aberystwyth.
A crowd of 908 were at Farrar Road to witness a hard-fought victory for Neville Powell’s men.
In the 15th minute, Les Davies – an early substitute for the injured Peter Hoy – rose high at the back post to head Nicky Ward’s deep free-kick back across goal and Chris Jones netted from close range in front of the Farrar End.
Aber responded well and forced a few chances of their own, but keeper Paul Smith was in solid form.
More close calls at either end followed in the second half, but it remained 1-0 until late on.
With nerves jangling, City fans wanted a second goal and after 84 minutes it arrived.
A goalmouth melee saw Steven Cann pull off two superb point blank saves from Jamie Reed but he was helpless when Davies’ effort richoted in off desperate defenders to the relief of the St Paul’s End support.
In added time, a fluke consolation lifted Aber’s spirits when Nicky Ward smashed clear but saw the ball strike Steffan Edwards and roll past Smith into the net.
Bangor City: Paul Smith, Peter Hoy, Chris Roberts, Dave Morley, James Brewerton, Craig Garside, Jamie Reed, Michael Johnston, Alan Bull, Nicky Ward, Chris Jones, Subs used: Sion Edwards, Les Davies, Eddie Jebb.
Former Bangor hero Jamie Reed returned to haunt his old club with a second-half winner for Aberystwyth.
Also on target for the Ceredigion side that evening were Caernarfon Town legend Darren Thomas and ex-Prestatyn Town and Rhyl left-midfielder Ross Stephens.
Sam Hart and Leon Clowes replied for City, who were level at 2-2 come the break and could well have won but for the goalkeeping heroics of Town’s Mike Lewis.
This was Neville Powell’s final season in charge of a Bangor side he had led to three Welsh Cup successes and a Welsh Premier title, as well as several European campaigns in a nine-year tenure.
Bangor City: Connor Roberts, Matty Woodward, Sam Hart, Leon Clowes, Ashley Young, Adam Cummins, Chris Jones, Damian Allen, Ryan Edwards, Christian Langos, Sion Edwards. Subs used: Anthony Miley, Joe Williams.
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