McGonigle hits four and McManus three in ruthless City response to first defeat

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13

CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 9 (McGonigle 4, McManus 3, Carey, Summers-Jones)
Trearddur Bay 2 (Hilditch, Samuel)

ATTENDANCE: 637

There has long been a myth that Friday the 13th is an unlucky date.

After tonight’s result at Bangor City Stadium, Trearddur Bay will certainly not remember it with much affection.

Having lost their season-long 32-game unbeaten record last weekend, there was a feeling in the air that the next team to face 1876 might be in trouble.

And so it proved, as City romped to a 9-2 success which puts them six points clear at the Ardal North West summit.

Bangor’s up-front partnership of Corrig McGonigle and Declan McManus – probably the most lethal strike force ever to combine in the ANW – netted seven of the goals between them.

New City keeper Josh Davies produced a tremendous early save before the hosts grabbed a 15th minute lead, McGonigle setting up McManus to fire home.

McGonigle and McManus played a key role in the second goal on 23, the duo producing a great move before the latter drilled a ball across the goalmouth for Josh Carey to tap in.

In the 33rd minute it was three. Dion Donohue whipped the ball out wide for Carey, whose superb cross was headed in by McManus.

McManus was then the provider for McGonigle to notch his first, making it 4-0 at half time.

There was no let-up from Michael Johnston’s side after the break, McGonigle banging in three more goals before the hour, making him now the league’s top scorer on 19 with his overall haul boosted to 31 in all competitions.

Cai Powell Roberts and Louis Corrigan supplied assists for the first two.

McGonigle was then substituted to a hero’s reception, his four goals helping the Citizens establish a 7-0 lead by the hour-mark.

To their credit, Trearddur Bay hit back with two quick goals, Tom Hildotch with his 24th of the season and sub Sebastian Samuel also on target, Liam Armstrong and Sion Edwards the suppliers.

However, City were back in the goals on 76 minutes when former The New Saints star McManus completed his first hat-trick for the club.

A ninth was added on 85 minutes, Tommy Creamer setting up sub Dylan Summers-Jones for his 16th goal this term.

One plus point for Trearddur Bay was midfielder Jay Gibbs playing his first game in almost two years after an injury battle.

TEAMS

Bangor City 1876

Josh Davies, Cai Powell Roberts, Louis Corrigan, Cai Owen. Iolo Hughes (c), James Barry, Corrig McGonigle. Declan McManus, Tommy Creamer, Dion Donohue, Josh Carey.
Subs used: Jamie Reed, Dylan Summers-Jones, Logan Williams, Jack Smith, Adam Long.

Trearddur Bay

Paul Pritchard, Anthony Marshall, Thomas Lennon, Liam Armstrong, Sean McCaffery, Tom Hilditch, Christoph Aziamale, Ryan Pryce, Sion Edwards, Jay Gibbs, Harri Jones. Subs used: Leo Morris, Morgan Rowlands, Sebastian Samuel.