FLASHBACK – 25 YEARS AGO: Paul Roberts’ second half hat-trick inspires stunning comeback win for Bangor City

THE LEAGUE OF WALES – MARCH 14, 2001

Rhayader Town 2 (Cooper pen 6, Farrell 30)
Bangor City 4 (P Roberts 54, 57, 72; Lloyd Williams 80)

Report: Mike Smith, Citizens Choice website

In this week 25 years ago, sub Paul Roberts was a hat-trick hero for a Bangor side which turned the tables dramatically at Y Weirglodd.

A tremendous second half fightback inspired by a triple substitution saw City recover from two-nil down to win 4-2 in Powys.

The hosts got off to a perfect start in the sixth minute as Emrys Williams tripped Hughes in the box to concede a penalty which Neil Cooper – brother of blues defender Steve – converted.

City nearly struck back when some neat approach work involving Marc Lloyd Williams and Steve Cooper set up John Paul Roberts, but his shot went narrowly wide.

Overall though Rhayader were in charge and it was no surprise when they doubled their advantage on the half hour thanks to a super strike by Lee Farrell from 25 yards into the top right corner. Keeper Carl Mounty reached it, but to no avail.

City had a couple of long range free kicks from Clayton Blackmore and then Lloyd Williams but neither really threatened and it was Rhayader who could have increased the lead as half time approached when Steve Cooper cleared off the line.

HALF TIME 0-2

The eleven which took the field for the second period saw Richard Owen, Scott Williams and Paul Roberts replace Steve Cooper, Paul Sellers and Craig Roberts. The effect was startling.

With Richard Owen at left-back and John Paul Roberts on the right, City now had the more experienced Aled Rowlands and Scott Williams in midfield with Rhodri Giggs, whilst Jiws now had Paul Roberts for company. The whole team played with greater purpose and verve.

Giggs hit the bar with a 25 yard chip before Paul Roberts converted a close range chance created by John Paul Roberts.

Then – inevitably – Marc Lloyd Williams set up Paul Roberts for his brace. Within minutes of the visitors opening their account, the same combination again ended with Paul Roberts levelling the scores from close in.

Rhayader had looked punch drunk but they found their feet and Mounty was called into the action briefly, although Blackmore and the improving Mark Thomas held firm.

That Salford winger flighted another 30 yarder towards goal, but with keeper Mike Barton beaten the ball drifted wide.

Then on 72 minutes Bangor went in front as Marc Lloyd Williams set off on a left wing foray courtesy of a telling pass from Aled Rowlands. The Llanberis marksman surged in on goal but, with everyone expecting a finish, he calmly picked out Paul Roberts who drove the ball in for his hat-trick. A treble from a substitute. An LoW first for Bangor?

Mindful of my remark to Ray Rowlands that Jiws was unlikely to play so well and not score, Clayton Blackmore sent a booming ball into the left channel. Lloyd Williams seized on the opening, ran goalwards but opted to thrash the ball past the exposed Barton for a deserved goal and City’s fourth!

That concluded the main event, although Lloyd Williams was denied a penalty when he was tripped in the box, but never mind the points were safe. What a comeback, tremendous spirit, the only concern a knee injury to Scott Williams.

BANGOR CITY

Carl Mounty, Steve Cooper, Aled Rowlands, Emrys Williams, Mark Thomas, Clayton Blackmore, Marc Lloyd Williams, Rhodri Giggs, Craig Roberts, Paul Sellers, John Paul Roberts. Subs: Paul Roberts, Scott Williams, Richard Owen.

WHAT ELSE HAPPENED THAT SEASON?

• Bangor City finished in a disappointing 14th place in the League of Wales, Rhayader ended up 12th
• Earlier in the 2000-01 season, these teams drew 3-3 at Farrar Road.
• Marc Lloyd Williams and Paul Roberts are Bangor City’s all-time leading goalscorers in the LoW/Welsh Premier: Lloyd Williams bagged 149 goals for the club and Roberts hit 95.