FLASHBACK – 25 YEARS AGO: Blackmore, Giggs and Brown featured in Bangor City side which reached Welsh Cup last 16

WELSH CUP ROUND THREE – NOVEMBER 18, 2000

Treowen Stars 0
Bangor City 3 (Cross 70. 75, Roberts 82)

Report: Mike Smith, Citizens Choice website

Welsh Cup holders Bangor City moved into the last 16 of the 2000-01 competition in this week 25 years ago with a hard-fought win at Welsh League Division One underdogs Treowen.

Matty Cross netted twice and Paul Roberts was also on the mark for Meirion Appleton’s League of Wales visitors.

It was a deserved win on a difficult soft South Wales pitch for a skilful City side against determined opposition.

Bangor had a goalkeeper availability crisis, with regular Davv Williams absent,. so pre-match drama didn’t help – a road traffic accident involving No2 glovesman Ray Newland, meant an SOS call for rookie keeper Steve Thomas, who duly arrived in time for kick off.  

The first significant action was a corner to Treowen which the youngster dealt with competently – allaying any fears amongst the visiting troupe.  

City also gave a debut to defender Clive Brown, brother of Wes, who won five Premier League titles and two Uefa Champions League winners’ medals with Manchester United.

Clive was brought to the club by Rhodri Giggs and due to being an in-demand DJ, was not on call every Saturday. He showed some impressive touches and firm tackles on the left of the defensive three.

City quickly took control and man of the match Cross proved a class above the Stars with a number of incisive runs which he just failed to finish.  

The first was in the fourth minute, then a couple later Aled Rowlands danced through the home rearguard but shot wide with his right foot.  

Cross was in again thanks to a considered build up from Scott Williams, Rowlands and Roberts. This time home keeper Jon Thompson saved well low to his right.

Next some intricate approach work on the right created a long range opening for Clayton Blackmore which the midfielder hammered goalwards – to be palmed over by Thompson.

On the half hour the hard-working Blake Parnell broke clear on the right for Treowen but keeper Thomas read the situation well and was quickly out to smother the shot which resulted in a throw.

With ten minutes of the half remaining, Nathan Comley-Excel, Blackmore and Giggs combined well for the former Salford striker to force a good save from Thomspon again.

HALF TIME: 0-0

There was no wind or discernable slope so half time changed nothing, although the Stars were starting to tire, the tackles not as clean or well-timed as they had been.

City created havoc in the opening minute with Comley-Excel and Roberts stabbing at half chances which eventually led to a clearance.  

The latest in a series of bookings (on both sides) came in the 55th minute when Andrew Davies needlessly clattered into Steve Thomas = happily the youngster was able to continue.

Bangor then forced a series of corners as Giggs and Rowlands proved too hot to handle for the home defence.

Roberts was also impressing and a clever turn and run on the left past two defenders led to a well-flighted cross which Comley-Excel headed wide.  This was his final action as a second City debutant Daniel Grant took to the field.

Within minutes Simon Evans hacked Steve Cooper down to earn a red card and City took complete control.

Lively Cross deservedly snatched the lead on 70 minutes as he reacted first to a fumble from Thompson who failed to hold onto a Roberts 20 yarder. 

Within minutes Cross was the hero again as he scrambled the ball in during a goalmouth melee to put City 2-0 ahead.

On 82 minutes Giggs again caused unrest amongst the home defence with a run and shot which hit the bar before dropping invitingly to Roberts who tapped in the rebound.  

Within a minute the little winger sprinted clear and was about to shoot for goal from eight yards when he was pulled back by a despairing defender.  As the travelling contingent awaited the penalty the ref waved play on!

Roberts was then replaced by Ricky Lampkin, Giggs struck another shot after leaving his marker on his backside.  

The last word nearly went to Treowen who were denied a consolation goal thanks to a goal line clearance from Scott Williams.

Overall a comfortable win in difficult conditions.

BANGOR CITY

Steve Thomas, Steve Cooper, Matthew Cross, Clive Brown, Emrys Williams, Scott Williams, Aled Rowlands, Clayton Blackmore, Paul Roberts, Nathan Comley-Excel, Rhodri Giggs

SUBS USED: Sean Hazelden, Daniel Grant, Ricky Lampkin.

What happened next?

Bangor beat Newtown 3-2 in round four of the Welsh Cup, but went out 3-0 at Barry Town in the last eight.
Treowen Stars ended up bottom of Welsh League Division One that season and were relegated. Bangor finished a disappointing 14th in the League of Wales.