FLASHBACK – 25 YEARS AGO: Lloyd Williams and Giggs share the goals in Bangor win over Druids

THE LEAGUE OF WALES – FEBRUARY 24, 2001

Bangor City 3 (Lloyd Williams 2, Giggs)
Cefn Druids 1 (Griffiths)

Report: Mike Smith, Citizens Choice website

Twenty-five years ago today Marc Lloyd Williams and Rhodri Giggs shared the goals as Bangor City saw off Cefn Druids 3-1 at Farrar Road.

The visitors nearly took a first minute lead when Kevin Scott showed the pace to get behind the home defence but his shot was blocked by young Paul Sellers.  

The next meaningful action saw Lloyd Williams have a shot saved by David Williams.  Then City fans held their breath as home keeper Paul Evans needed treatment for a dislocated finger which physio Arwel Jones popped back.

Bangor took the lead on 20 minutes when impressive centre midfielder John Paul Roberts picked out Lloyd Wiliams on the right side of the box.  Jiws stepped left inside the defender and beat Williams at the keeper’s right post.

On the half hour Steve Cooper was the hero with two goal-line clearances as Cefn fought for an equaliser.  City also had Evans to thank for a good stop from Scott and some cool defending from Sellers, who was in at centre-back for Mark Thomas.

At the other end Giggs could have opened up the Druids defence a couple of times but indecision struck and he was caught in possession. 

The little winger nearly increased the lead with a brave near post header from a Craig Roberts cross, but despite getting in front of the defender he sent the effort narrowly wide.

On 39 minutes Lloyd Wiliams was on the end of an excellent threaded through ball from Giggs to double the lead.  

Unfortunately for the Citizens, slack marking in midfield allowed big Huw Griffiths to run unchallenged before firing a thunderbolt effort over Evans in injury time.

HALF-TIME: Bangor City 2 Cefn Druids 1

The first meaningful action of the second period saw Aled Rowlands pick out Lloyd Williams on the right, who turned to find Craig Roberts on the edge of the box. 

The tall youngster calmly supplied Giggs, who fired the ball into the bottom corner to make it 3-1..

On 50 minutes Craig Roberts turned well and tore past the Cefn defence to be pulled down in the box.  Play went on – no penalty awarded.

Five minutes later the youngster was replaced by Paul Roberts and received a warm round of applause from the home support.  

As the game progressed Sellers grew in confidence, Richard Owen used his cultured left foot to good effect, both in defence and attack particularly snuffing out Simon Richards on a couple of occasions on the edge of the box.

If anything the game petered out, although Evans made a couple of excellent saves – one from a close range downward header was outstanding. 

Cefn withdrew Mike Davies and encouraged fellow striker Scott to take throw-ins, which realistically left the City defence without too many goal threats to mind.

Three valuable points for Bangor.

BANGOR CITY

Paul Evans, Steve Cooper, Richard Owen, Emrys Williams, Paul Sellers, Clayton Blackmore, Marc Lloyd Williams, John Paul Roberts, Craig Roberts, Rhodri Giggs, Aled Rowlands. Subs: Paul Roberts, Karl Roberts, Sean Hazelden.

CEFN DRUIDS

David Williams, Paul Morris, Mark Rutter, Aled Rowlands, Mark Allen, Huw Griffiths, Jay Davies, Rene Pinard, Mike Davies, Kevin Scott, Alan Williams. Subs: Simon Richards, Andy Davies, Stuart Thornley.