FLASHBACK: On this date 15 years ago the WPL title race between TNS and Bangor City really hotted up

– FLASHBACK – MARCH 19, 2011

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE

TNS 3 (M Williams 20, Edwards 23, C Jones 75)
Bangor City 2 (C Jones 3, 82)

Report: Mike Smith, Citizens Choice website

On this date 15 years ago the Welsh Premier title race was truly hotting up.

TNS’ narrow victory at Park Hall put them three points behind leaders Bangor City, but the full-timers had a game in hand.

The battle to be crowned champions, as we all know, went down to the final day and it was the North Walians who ended up celebrating.

However, nothing was decided by the close of play on March 19, 2011.

As Paul Smith was not fit Chris Oldfield continued in goal for the Citizens and marked his second full start with a series of fine saves.

But he was a spectator in the early exchanges as City went close twice in the opening two minutes and scored in the third. Former blue Chris Seargeant was lucky to escape any form of punishment following his two-footed lunge on Craig Garside and seconds later Paul Harrison was on hand to field Nicky Ward’s free kick.

Les Davies chased through on the left but Harrison rushed out to clear, but in the third minute the former Southport stopper was helpless as Chris Jones drove home from the edge of the box after Richie Partridge spooned his attempted clearance to the former Leeds United striker. The initial confusion was caused by Peter Hoy’s booming throw from the left. TNS 0 BANGOR CITY 1

On 10 minutes the hugely impressive Craig Jones ran down the left, crossed for Alex Darlington, but he headed straight at Oldfield. Minutes later Darlington was in on goal but Oldfield denied him, with a little help from Michael Johnston.

Seventeen minutes in saw the first of a number of unwelcome challenges by Phil Baker whose snide kick on Davies warranted action but Lee Evans saw nothing.

On 20 minutes the home side drew level as a long throw from the right was gathered by former Rhyl favourite Matty Williams, who hooked past Oldfield from close range. TNS 1 BANGOR CITY 1

Three minutes later TNS had the lead. Partridge saw his shot saved by Oldfield but Aeron Edwards was on hand to prod home from five yards. TNS 2 BANGOR CITY 1

Bangor might have drawn level immediately but Chris Jones miss-kicked from close range.

The half hour mark saw Baker go through the back of Alan Bull for a free kick 30 yards out but Harrison for once held cleanly.

With ten minutes to go Chris Roberts had his shot blocked but moments later the left-back was yellow carded for a trip on the flying Craig Jones, who was full of purpose and menace.

Bangor, though, continued to threaten as James Brewerton headed over from Hoy’s deep cross via the right. TNS went close through goalscorer Williams but Oldfield saved, before Bangor’s Davies headed over from Ward’s free kick

HALF TIME: TNS 2-1 BANGOR CITY

At the interval the Bangor partisans switched ends, City now with the sun at their backs.

Four minutes after the restart Bull was clattered by another heavy challenge from Baker which at last earned him an overdue yellow card.

Ten minutes after the restart a dreadful backpass from Baker on the left sent Chris Jones into the box but he was eased off the ball by Harrison and the chance went.

Oldfield kept City in the game on the hour with a double save from Darlington, both at close range, before City countered with a deep cross from Roberts but Davies headed over. Next up Oldfield saved well again this time from Sergeant whose clean 20-yard volley was pushed over for a corner.

On 63 minutes Darlington was replaced by Chris Sharp but three minutes later it was Craig Jones who went close as he got the better of a tussle with Oldfield but chipped wide from 15 yards. Eddie Jebb replaced Garside after 66 and on 71 TNS manager Mike Davies was sent to the stand by referee Lee Evans for contesting a decision.

With 15 left the outstanding Craig Jones seemed to have settled the issue with a fine solo run and finish from the left which saw him weave past Johnston and beat Oldfield with a well-placed shot. TNS 3 BANGOR CITY 1

A final throw of the dice by City manager Nev Powell saw Mark Smyth and Mike Jukes replace Davies and Bull. Dave Morley was rightly carded for a heavy challenge on Sergeant in midfield.

With eight minutes remaining Smyth snuck in behind the Saints defence but fired over and then Chris Jones was clear on goal to the left, but Harrison saved with his feet.

Ward’s shot was blocked, handball and free kick on the edge of the box. Morley fired low and Harrison could only palm the ball upwards for Chris Jones to head home from point blank range. Game on. TNS 3 BANGOR CITY 2

TNS sent on veteran Jamie Wood for Partridge and the former Swansea striker forced a save from Oldfield. Bangor refused to lie down and Hoy’s deep cross found Chris Jones but he rasped over.

Five minutes added time were signalled and two minutes in, Morley slid Hoy in on the right but Harrison pushed his shot away for a corner.

Oldfield joined the hopefuls in the hosts box but Ward’s shot was gathered by Harrison and that was that. Harsh perhaps but a lesson for the blues in taking chances.

BANGOR CITY

Chris Oldfield, Peter Hoy, Chris Roberts, Dave Morley, James Brewerton, Michael Johnston, Chris Jones, Alan Bull (Michael Jukes 78), Les Davies (Mark Smyth 78), Craig Garside (Eddie Jebb 66), Nicky Ward.

THE NEW SAINTS

Paul Harrison, Danny Holmes, Chris Marriott, Phil Baker, Scott Ruscoe, Aeron Edwards, Chris Seargeant, Craig Jones, Matty Williams, Alex Darlington (Chris Sharp 63), Richie Partridge (Jamie Wood 87)

ATTENDANCE: 617

WELSH PREMIER TOP 2 (after matches played March 19, 2011)

Bangor City Played 26 points 60
TNS 25-57

Results between the teams that season (2010-11)

Oct 2, 2010: Bangor City 4 TNS 3 – WPL
Oct 26, 2010: TNS 9 Bangor City 0 – League Cup
Nov 9, 2010: Bangor City 1 TNS 3 – League Cup
Jan 18, 2011: TNS 2 Bangor City 2 – WPL
Mar 19, 2011: TNS 3 Bangor City 2 – WPL
Apr 30, 2011: Bangor City 1 TNS 0 – WPL (Bangor crowned league champions)