FLASHBACK – 15 YEARS AGO: Bangor City edge thrilling win at Prestatyn

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE – FEBRUARY 20, 2011

Prestatyn Town 1 (Hunt 64)
Bangor City 2 (Morley 74, 76)

Report: Dave Jones

What a thrilling game this was, played on this date 15 years ago.

An absolute battle to the last, as was the case with all four meetings of these teams during the first season of the Welsh Premier Super 12.

Title-chasing City travelled to Bastion Gardens seeking revenge for a 4-2 defeat at the same ground seven weeks earlier. That day saw Neville Powell’s side beaten for the first time in the league in 2010-11 after going 16 matches without defeat – the first 15 of those wins.

Bangor had wobbled a bit since that January 2 reverse at Prestatyn, but were still well in contention for their first championship success since 1994-95.

So to February 20, 2011, and both sides had chances in an end-to-end first half.

Steve Rogers was denied from an angle by Citizens keeper Paul Smith, then the ball ran to home player-manager Neil Gibson, whose effort was thwarted by a combination of Michael Johnston and James Brewerton.

From the counter, Alan Bull skilfully worked his way into the Town box and looked set to score but dragged his left-footed strike wide.

Prestatyn threatened when Michael Parker lofted the ball to the right for Rogers, who raced into the box and squared to Lee Hunt, whose deflected shot was well kept out by Smith.

Eddie Jebb’s low drive was superbly saved low down by Town stopper Jon Hill-Dunt, then Darren Moss showed sharpness to reach a Les Davies delivery but fired wide.

Half-Time: 0-0

Early in the second half, Bangor’s Brewerton almost spectacularly found his own net before at the other end, Peter Hoy flicked on a Nicky Ward corner, Craig Garside slammed against the underside of the bar and Moss was unable to apply the finish.

The deadlock finally ended in the 64th minute. Hunt skilfully brought down a ball into the box, and although Smith smothered his first shot, the striker would not be denied from the rebound – Prestatyn ahead.

Hill-Dunt never failed to impress against Bangor, and he came out on top again when producing a spectacular stop from a Ward free kick.

City were knocking on the door and levelled in the 74th minute.

Ward looped over a high hanging corner from the right, Hoy rose well at the back post to head across goal and Dave Morley leapt highest to nod in the equaliser at the rear stick.

Two minutes later the comeback was complete. It appeared Gibson may have been fouled in midfield, but Morley was allowed to break forward with menace.

The ex-Manchester City man found Ward, who returned the ball to Morley and he curled home a beauty from 20 yards.

Bangor were reduced to 10 men late on when Gibson’s ball released Hunt, who was subjected to a last-man foul by Brewerton.

Shown a red card, the City defender also swung an elbow into Gibson’s face which did not make for pleasant viewing when replayed on TV.

From the free kick, Jack Lewis’ rocket was brilliantly kept out by Smith. Still there was drama, Hunt’s late effort cleared off the line by Johnston.

One of the best Welsh Premier encounters between this pair – and there were plenty of those over the years.

PRESTATYN TOWN

Jon Hill-Dunt, Kai Edwards, Jack Lewis, Adam France, Dave Hayes, Gareth Wilson, Michael Parker, Neil Gibson, Lee Hunt, Steve Rogers, Chris Davies (Jon Fisher-Cooke 81).

BANGOR CITY

Paul Smith, Peter Hoy, Chris Roberts, Dave Morley, James Brewerton, Darren Moss (Nicky Ward 60), Michael Johnston, Craig Garside (Sion Edwards 77), Les Davies, Eddie Jebb (Michael Jukes 70), Alan Bull.

ATTENDANCE: 563

WHAT ELSE HAPPENED THAT SEASON?

Bangor City v Prestatyn Town – head-to-head

April 1, 2011: Bangor City 1 Prestatyn Town 2
February 20, 2011: Prestatyn Town 1 Bangor City 2
January 2, 2011: Prestatyn Town 4 Bangor City 2
December 4, 2010: Bangor City 2 Prestatyn Town 1

• Bangor City won the Welsh Premier League title for a third time and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
  

• Prestatyn Town finished fifth in the top-flight, losing out in the Europa League play-offs.
  

• Bala Town were spared from relegation after 2010–11 Cymru Alliance champions Connah’s Quay Nomads were denied a Premier League licence for the 2011–12 season.