FLASHBACK – 25 YEARS AGO: Familiar name scores hat-trick as Bangor side missing several regulars triumphs
THE LEAGUE OF WALES – FEBRUARY 17, 2001
Bangor City 3 (Lloyd Williams 3)
Afan Lido 1 (N Jones)
REPORT: MIKE SMITH – CITIZENS CHOICE WEBSITE
On this date 25 years ago, a very youthful-looking Bangor outfought and outgunned visitors Lido, who trailed for 85 minutes but never gave up, although hat-trick hero Marc Lloyd Williams was too hot to handle.
Pre-match was all doom and gloom regarding injuries to Sean Hazelden, Scott Williams and Clive Brown, plus a bout of flu which ruled out Aled Rowlands and Paul Roberts.
The solution? Simple, call up the reserves who have been oft touted on the city guestbook. Mark Thomas slotted in alongside Emrys Williams and Clayton Blackmore, Paul Sellars in midfield and Craig Roberts up front. And it worked a treat!
On a bright sunny Farrar Road pitch Lloyd Williams led from the front, giving City a 5th minute lead with a tap in from a Steve Cooper cross.
Lido, with the enormous Leighton Jones up front, pressed forward, but Mark Thomas stood up mentally and physically to the challenge, winning tackles, headers and reading the game well. Also hitting the channels with some well struck passes off either foot.
The match was never a classic, but with Blackmore marshalling the defence and young Sellars alongside Rhodri Giggs and John Paul Roberts in midfield, City stuck to their task.
Goalkeeper Paul Evans made a good low save from Pearson, then Sellars shot too close to the keeper after being set up by Lloyd Williams.
With half time approaching young Sellars won the ball on the halfway line and took off for goal. The ball was returned to him, and he played it to Lloyd Williams who made no mistake with a clever lofted finish over Thomas.
HALF TIME 2-0
The second period again featured excellent defensive work from Man of the Match Mark Thomas, but in truth lacked the flow of the first.
There were injuries and bookings and substitutions. These included John Paul Roberts for Bangor and Lido pair Steve Parry and Andrew Pearson.
Then on 80 minutes Nick Jones pulled a goal back for Lido with Evans the busier keeper for a while. Happily for the hosts, a horrible mistake by visiting keeper Thomas saw the ball bounce over his head for Lloyd Williams to complete another well deserved hat-trick.
Lido did not give up but their forwards found Evans in impressive form and City won by two clear goals.
Three points. But what a gutsy performance with half the first choice side missing.
BANGOR CITY
Paul Evans
Steve Cooper
Richard Owen
Emrys Williams
Mark Thomas
Clayton Blackmore
Marc Lloyd Williams
Paul Sellars
Craig Roberts
Rhodri Giggs
John Paul Roberts
SUBS
Karl Roberts
Paul Roberts
Daniel Grant