FLASHBACK – 10 years ago: Big Steve Lewis stars on debut as Bangor City see off Newtown

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE – JANUARY 8, 2016

Bangor City 3 (S Edwards 25, R Edwards 33, Ahmadi 86)
Newtown 0

Report: Mike Smith, Citizens Choice website

On this date 10 years ago big striker Steve Lewis made his debut for Bangor City on a richly rewarding evening for blues fans.
The Citizens did the double over Newtown at Nantporth, and for good measure repeated the 3-0 scoreline of Latham Park.
City gave a debut to recent signing Steve Lewis but it was the Edwards’ boys Sion and Ryan who scored the goals which brought the important win, with Rio Ahmadi adding a late decider.
In difficult, slippery wet conditions Bangor won the first corner as Sion Edwards’ long range shot was deflected behind. The left footer trotted over and delivered an inviting cross which debutant Lewis glanced narrowly wide.
The hosts won a corner which ended in blues followers appealing for a penalty for a foul on Lewis but referee Stewart was not interested.
But then on 25 minutes Bangor had the breakthrough. Ryan Edwards squared to Lewis who twisted and turned the Newtown defence. His goalbound shot was blocked but fell for Sion Edwards who crashed home despite the slithery underfoot conditions.
In the 33rd minute City doubled their lead.
Dec Walker crossed from the right and Newtown could only clear to Ryan Edwards who pounced and beat keeper Dave Jones all ends up.
Visting defender Gavin Cadwallader lost his footing but City could not capitalise and then both Tom Goodwin and Jason Oswell went close but the home team stood firm and the danger passed.
The fourth official indicated two minutes of added time which saw first Oswell and then Lewis have half chances to add to the scoreline but neither did so.

HALF TIME 2-0

Newtown came out all guns blazing and might have cut the deficit in the opening minutes. First Neil Mitchell fired just over before Oswell headed wide from a Williams corner.
Pantomime season not quite over then as the linesman stopped play after losing his flag! Next Marc Griffiths replaced Boundford for the visitors and then a yellow card for Oswell for a foul on blues midfield maestro Damien Allen.
And it was Allen who had most of the crowd on the edge of their seats moments later as his fierce strike took and deflection and drew a flying save from Jones in the Newtown goal.
With 13 minutes left to play a weary Lewis received a noisy ovation from the blues faithful as he left the field with Ahmadi taking his place.
Bangor fans had their hearts in their mouths moments later though as a challenge from Walker brought down substitute Craig Harris in the blues box. Referee Stewart was not impressed and waved play on.
Bangor sent on Christian Langos for Sion Edwards with nine minutes left and he too received a warm ovation from the sodden blues fans.
Newtown were far from beaten as substitutes Harris and Griffiths both had half-chances they could not capitalise on. The fourth official indicated three minutes of added time, young Shaun Cavanagh came on for Chris Jones.
And in those final minutes Ashley Young picked out Ahmadi who turned his marker on the edge of the box and slid the ball under Jones to add a third goal to the scoreline and seal a three-nil win for City. Three points, a clean sheet and a promising debut from big Steve Lewis.

BANGOR CITY

Connor Roberts, Dec Walker, Sam Hart, Ryan Edwards, Adam Cummins, Anthony Miley, Chris Jones (Shaun Cavanagh 90), Damien Allen, Steve Lewis (Rio Ahmadi 77), Ashley Young, Sion Edwards (Christian Langos 81)
ATTENDANCE: 361