On this day 15 years ago – Bangor City edge 9th league win in row at Haverfordwest’s expense

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE – OCTOBER 9, 2010

Haverfordwest County 1 (Hudgell)
Bangor City 2 (Bull 2)

Report: Mike Smith, Citizens Choice website

On this date 15 years ago, Bangor went behind inside a minute, but showed the character to respond and ran out 2-1 victors to take their winning run to nine Welsh Premier games.

The early setback could not have been much earlier! Neil Thomas’ run unsettled the blues defence and the ball broke, Chrtis O’Sullivan found Lee Hudgell who beat Paul Smith from the edge of the box.

On the quarter hour Jack Christopher lunged at James Brewerton in a challenge which left the big defender with stud marks on his shin.

Referee Whitby brandished a yellow card when a red was certainly possible.

Both sides had chances with City striker Les Davies prominent and Peter Hoy causing problems with his long throws.

Come the half-hour Haverfordwest threatened, and after surviving a penalty appeal, Bangor’s defence was tested by three quick corners but Brewerton and Michael Johnston ensured keeper Smith was not overly exerted.

Ten minutes before the interval Jamie Reed saw his header hit the woodwork after Hoy’s deep cross eluded Mark Dodds. It was not to be Reed’s day in front of goal.

But a minute before half time, Reed found Alan Bull who turned inside the despairing Elliott and placed his shot beyond Idzi to level the scores.

The worry for Bangor fans though was the injury suffered to captain Brewerton who limped off at the interval.

HALF TIME 1-1

Those fears were confirmed in the second half as Brewerton was replaced by young Clive Williams who initially slotted in alongside Johnston, but within a dozen minutes has swopped with Hoy to allow the long-serving defender to deal with the robust Christopher, and for Williams to use his pace to combat Hudgell on the right.

Minutes after the restart Reed embarked upon a mazy solo run from the right which saw him outwit the County defence, leaving Dodds on his stomach, but his curler hit the post.

Reed struck the upright again following a pass from Chris Jones. Then just before the hour Bangor capped a period of pressure with a second goal as Bull ran onto a header from Davies and found the time and space to beat Lee Idzi for his second of the match.

Luckless Reed rattled the goal frame again with 15 minutes left. Four minutes later City sent on wingers Sion Edwards and Eddie Jebb for Jones and Davies.

Ten minutes from time County won a penalty as referee Whitby adjudged Hoy to have handled. Up stepped former Bangor midfielder Neil Thomas but his rising drive skimmed the crossbar.

Minutes later Dodds headed on and Christopher had a glorious chance but spooned over from six yards.

In the final minute of the 90, Bull ran on goal, mesmerised the defence and squared to Reed whose shot was cleared off the line by Kyle Graves. The rebound ran to Bull but his powerful strike was also blocked and the danger passed.

This was a hard fought win at Bridge Meadow but the Citizens marched on in this title-winning season.

Haverfordwest County
Lee Idzi, Kyle Graves, Richard Evans, Gareth Elliott (Kristian Griffiths 63), Mark Dodds, Matty Collins (Jamie Bradford 58), Chris O’Sullivan, Neil Thomas, Danny Thomas (Steff Williams 78), Jack Christopher, Lee Hudgell.

Bangor City
Paul Smith, Peter Hoy, Chris Roberts, Dave Morley, James Brewerton (Clive Williams 46), Michael Johnston, Jamie Reed, Alan Bull, Les Davies (Sion Edwards 79), Nicky Ward, Chris Jones (Eddie Jebb 79).