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Saturday 14 August 2004 at Farrar Road, Bangor Bangor City 6 - 0 Llanelli. Match ball sponsor: 75point3 Independent Financial Advisors.
Bangor City: Whitfield, Blackmore, Evans, E.Jones, Hoy, Priest (Connolly 76'), M.Jones (Parr 65'), O.Jones (Short 45'), Roberts, Mottram, Davies.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Priest 40'.
Goals: Jones 23'. Roberts 41'(p) 44' 74', Davies 76', Mottram 88'.
Llanelli: Pritchard, James (Jones 70'), Crabbe, Phillips, Bowden, Shannon, Wright, Wigg, Fahey, Aspell, Watkins. Subs not used: Fleming, Mahoney.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards Watkins 72', Wigg 85'.
Attendance: 401. Referee: A Richards
We got their season off to the best of starts with a 6 - 0 thrashing of late arrivals Llanelli, whose coach had been held up by enroute traffic problems. Fielding four debutants, plus the returning Chris Short, we were 3 - 0 up at half time thanks to a bobbling Owain Jones effort and a Paul Roberts brace (one from the spot). Roberts again, Les Davies, with a thumping volley from the edge of the box (surely an early candidate for goal of the season) and Frank Mottram's confident finish from the left completed the scoring in the second half. The new starters all settled in confidently, with keeper Paul Whitfeld dealing competently with Llanelli's few attacks, Chris Priest imposing a commanding presence in midfeld, and Morgan Jones on the right supplying a constant stream of tempting crosses.
Saturday 21 August at Farrar Road, Bangor
Bangor City 4 - 2 Welshpool. Match ball sponsor: Bangor City FC 200 Club
Bangor City: Whitfield, Blackmore, Evans, Hoy, E.Jones, Priest, M.Jones (Connolly 60'), O.Jones, Roberts, Mottram, Davies. Subs not used: Short, Parr.
Red Cards: Priest 64'; Yellow Cards: Hoy 59', Blackmore 71' Connelly 73'.
Goals: Priest 5', O Jones 68', Roberts 80', Mottram 89'
Welshpool Town: Solly, Norman, Windsor, B.Jefferies, Jackson, Cunnah, Burgess, Rogers, R.Jefferies, Evans, Wilkinson. Subs not used: Davies, Bloor, Courtney, G.Roberts.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards R.Jefferies 38' Wilkinson 43'
Goals: R Jefferies 38', 44'
Attendance: 362 Referee: M S Whitby
A see-saw six goal thriller saw a 10-man Bangor come from behind thanks to Frank Mottram's 100th senior goal in Welsh football. The fluctuations of the game were personified in Chris Priest's 64 minutes on the pitch, in which he gave City the lead, and was then carried off with a serious leg injury - and sent off - following a midfield collision with former City favourite Ricky Evans. Another ex-City player, Ross Jefferies had given the visitors an interval lead with a brance of well-taken goals, but a spirited comeback through Owain Jones, Paul Roberts and finally Mottram safeguarded our 100% record and sent the fans home happy.
Saturday 28 August at Farrar Road, Bangor Bangor City 0 - 2 Porthmadog. Matchball sponsor: Maesgeirchen Social Club.
Bangor City: Whitfield, Blackmore, Evans, Hoy, E.Jones, S.Davies, Connolly, (M.Jones 84'), O.Jones, Roberts, Mottram (Rowlands 70'), L.Davies. Sub not used: Parr.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: None
Porthmadog: McGuigan, J.G.Jones, Foster, Davies, Webber, Roberts, Parry, T.Williams, M.Williams, C.Owen (Reynolds 82'), Caughter. Subs not used: Evans, R.Owen.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Jones 89' Goals: Davies 44', M Williams 47'
Attendance: 535 Referee: B Lawlor
Goals either side of half time were enough to lower our colours for the first time this season, and give Porthmadog a rare victory over us. Even the returning Simon Davies was not enough to inspire a fightback, although Paul Roberts came close twice (once glancing the bar) to reducing the deficit. Frank Mottram also threatened, nipping in late in the day after a defensive mix-up, but all in all, the visitors were well organised and good value for their victory.
Tuesday 31 August at Farrar Road, Bangor
Bangor City 2 - 3 Caernarfon Town. Matchball Sponsor: Bangor Printing Services
Bangor City: Whitfield, Short, Evans, Hoy, E.Jones (Connelly 83'), S.Davies (Dogan 75'), M.Jones, O.Jones, Roberts, Mottram, Parr (L.Davies 60').
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: E.Jones 18' S.Davies 27' Short 57' Roberts 73'
Goals: Roberts 4', O Jones 80'
Caernarfon Town: Walsh, Evans, Roberts, Hogg, Brandreth, Hobson, Peters, Jones, Quirke, (L.Jones 77'), Thomas (M.Phillips 88'), Campbell. Sub not used: W.Phillips
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Thomas 27', Campbell 82', Jones 83'
Goals: Evans 35' 79', Quirke 53'
Attendance: 417 Referee: K J Parry
Bright opening and closing spells were not enough to give us the edge in this competitive Loosemore's League Cup first round first leg fixture. Goals by Paul Roberts and Owain Jones gave us respectively encouragement and hope, but opposition efforts in between these home strikes gave the visitors a rare advantage for when the local rivals lock horns for the second leg, which will now be played at The Oval, Caernarfon on Tuesday 14 September, and not as previously advertised.
Saturday 4 September 2004 at Afan Lido Sportsground
Afan Lido 2 - 3 Bangor City
Afan Lido: Thomas, Shrimpton, Reid (Walters 70'), P.Evans, C.Evans, Rickard, McCreesh, Piper (Pridham 79'), Bartley, O'Leary (C.Williams 85'), Reynolds. Subs not used: Martin, Lavis
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: P.Evans 68'
Goals: Reynolds 12'; Bartley 15'
Bangor City: Whitfield, Blackmore, Evans (Dogan 51'), Hoy, E.Jones, S.Davies, Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts, Mottram, Short. Subs not used: Griffiths, Parr
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Blackmore 85'
Goals: Mottram 10', 31', O Jones 34'
Attendance: 175. Referee: R J Ellingham
We bounced back from two disappointing defeats with this excellent victory in our first away fixture of the season. Arriving late after traffic holdups in Mid Wales, we wasted no time in getting on the scoresheet with Frank Mottram continuing his good early season form. The advantage swayed from side to side in an enthralling first half, with attack ever the master of defence. Lido came back strongly but a further goal by Mottram, and a bullet header by Owain Jones gave us a half-time advantage which we defended stoutly through an understandably quieter second half.
Friday 10 September 2004 at the Deeside Stadium Connahs Quay Nomads 3 - 4 Bangor City
Connahs Quay Nomads: L.Williams, Holmes, Tuft (Griffiths 66'), Hutchinson (Rain 64'), Horan, Jellicoe, C.Williams, Mutton, D.Williams, Kenworthy, Owen. Subs not used: Cooke, Spray
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Jellicoe 52', Kenworthy 86'
Goals: Darren Williams 4' Stuart Rain 72', Tommy Mutton 74'
Bangor City: Whitfield, Blackmore, Short, Hoy, E.Jones (L.Davies 62'), Baker, Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts, Mottram,S.Davies. Subs not used: M.Jones, Owen
Red Cards: Roberts 89', Yellow Cards S.Davies 16', Roberts 20'
Goals: Roberts 22'(p) 35', Horan 49'(og), Mottram 87'
Attendance: 260 Referee: A Richards
City is certainly the team to follow if you want to see goals - but not if you are of a nervous disposition! A shaky start gave the home team an early lead, but we came back strongly later in the first half with two goals from Paul Roberts (one from the spot), and increased our advantage early in the second period when sustained pressure led to a Nomads own goal. The Deesiders hit back twice around the 70' mark to level the scores, but a late opportunity saw Frank Mottram bring all his experience to bear in finishing calmly to notch up our second away win within a week.
Tuesday 14 September 2004 at The Oval, Caernarfon
Caernarfon Town 4 - 3 Bangor City. Loosemore's League Cup. (Caernarfon win 7 - 5 on aggregate).
Caernarfon Town: Walsh, Phillips, Roberts, Chalk, Brandreth, Hogg, Peters (Jones 82'), Williams, Owen (Quirke 60'), Evans, Campbell. Sub not used: Hobson.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Campbell 2' Brandreth 47' Phillips 55' Williams 66'
Goals: Evans 28' 36' 44', Brandreth 11'
Bangor City: Whitfield, Connolly, Evans, Hoy (Parr 45'), Short (Owen 84'), Baker, S.Davies (M.Jones 45'), O.Jones, Blackmore, Mottram, L.Davies. Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards Baker 82'
Goals: L Davies 56', Mottram 67' 74'
Attendance: 352 Referee: KL Parry
Having come out on the right side of some multi-goal thrillers in recent games, this time City ended up second best in a seven-goal ding-dong battle - and so dropped out of the Loosemore's League Cup in the first round. Caernarfon had a four goal first-half blast - including a hat-trick by converted defender Mark Evans - to thank for their advantage, and although we fought back strongly in the second period, with goals from Les Davies and a brace from Frank Mottram, the half-time deficit, plus the goal in the debit column from the first leg, proved too high a mountain to climb.
Saturday 19 September 2004 at Farrar Road
Bangor City 2 - 3 Newtown. Match ball sponsor: Newey and Eyre Ltd
Bangor City: Whitfield, Blackmore, Evans, Hoy, S.Davies, Baker, Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts, Mottram, L.Davies (M.Jones 75'). Subs not used: Short, Parr
Red cards: None; Yellow cards: None
Goals: Simon Davies 22' Paul Roberts 41'
Newtown AFC: Edwards, Brown, Williams, Giles, Allen, Moon, Futcher, Hughes, Field, Webb, Desormeaux. Subs not used: Harris, Berridge, Warwick.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Williams 30'
Goals: Daniel Field 17' 51' Andrew Webb 55'
Attendance: 438 Referee: P Thomas
A disappointing performance inevitably led to a home defeat against Mid Wales opposition. An early Newtown strike was quickly cancelled out by a Simon Davies goal in our favour, and when Paul Roberts calmly converted Les Davies' pinpoint cross to give us a half-time 2 - 1 advantage, it seemed as though the match was ours for the taking. However, Newtown refused to roll over and die, and determined pressure from the visitors brought reward through two second-half goals, the match honours and our third successive home defeat.
Friday, 24 September 2004 at Plas Kynaston, Cefn Mawr NEWI Cefn Druids 0 - 4 Bangor City
NEWI Cefn Druids: Mackin, Parry, Morgan, Rowlands, Salmon, Irons, McDonnell (Edgar 45'), Stacey, Williams, Thompson (McLean 62'), Shannon (Main 62'). Sub not used: Cooper.
Red Cards: Morgan 45'; Yellow Cards: Rowlands 74'
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Evans, E.Jones, Friel (Short 71'), Baker, Connolly, O.Jones (M.Jones 51'), Roberts, Mottram (L.Davies 6'), S.Davies.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards Friel 45' E.Jones 52'
Goals: O Jones 13', Roberts 23', 73', Blackmore 68'
Attendance: 272 Referee: A Richards
Manager Peter Davenport rang the changes in response to our recent disapointing run, bringing in a new 'keeper, restoring Eifion Jones to the heart of the defence and welcoming back student Paul Friel to midfield, and all three played their part in a greatly improved team performace which shut out the Druids even when they were at full complement. Nasty first-half knocks to Frank Mottram and Owain Jones failed to dent our resolve, and when the home team had a man dismissed just before the break, it was no surprise that we were able to soak up what little second half pressure the Druids were able to muster, and double our advantage with strikes by Paul Roberts and Clayton Blackmore.
Saturday 2 October 2004 at Cae Sling, Penmaenmawr Penmaenmawr Phoenix 0 - 2 Bangor City (Welsh Cup 2nd round)
Penmaenmawr Phoenix : Tharme, I Williams, M Roberts, J Griffiths, S Jones, Tidswell, Crowl, B Jones, Peter Williams, S Roberts, Rowlands. Eilyddion: Lye, Picton, Paul Williams
Bangor City: Acton, M Jones (Parr), G Evans, Baker, E Jones, Friel, Connolly, Blackmore, P Roberts, S Davies (Short), L Davies (Hoy)
Goals: Blackmore 12', Connolly 70'
Attendance: ; Referee A Harms
We had to battle against a tenacious Penmaenmawr defence, bad luck with finishing and blustery conditions, but still showed enough resilience to ensure that there was no repeat of last year's Welsh Cup banana skin against lowly opposition. Clayton Blackmore's astute use of the conditions to guide in a cross-shot from wide was enough to stake an early advantage, and Mark Connolly's firm shot from a goalmouth melee finished off Pen, who rarely threatened.
Tuesday 5 October at Latham Park, Newtown Newtown 0 - 4 Bangor City (Premier Cup)
Newtown: [line-up to be confirmed]
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore (Hoy), E Jones (Short), Baker, Scott, Connolly, O Jones, Friel, S Davies, Roberts, Gray (L Davies). Subs not used: M Jones, Whitfield
Goals: S Davies, O Jones, Friel, Roberts
Attendance and referee details to be confirmed
An outstanding first half performance meant that we had virtually secured this game by the interval. Our midfield of Mark Connolly, Owain Jones, Paul Friel and Simon Davies combined aggression with creativity to anchor one of the best City displays seen this season. Newcomers Kevin Scott at left back, and Tony Gray in the front line also played their parts to the full. First half goals from Simon Davies, Owain Jones, and Paul Friel (finishing a flowing City move which started from a Newtown corner) had put the game to bed by the interval, and although we eased up slightly in the second period, with a solitary Paul Roberts strike to show, our sound defence meant that the home team were never let off the hook.
Sunday 10 October, 2004 at Farrar Road
Bangor City 1 - 1 Haverfordwest County. Match sponsor: Storm FM.
Bangor City: Acton, Short, Evans, E.Jones, Baker, Friel (L Davies 87'), Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts, Gray, S.Davies. Subs not used: M.Jones, Hoy
Red Cards: None Yellow Cards: Friel 74', Connolly 86'
Goals: Roberts 47'
Haverfordwest County: Kendall, Brace, Waters (Algieri 54'), Rossiter, Thomas, Jones, Palmer, Hicks, Adams, Loss, Ryan. Subs not used: Ralph, Lewis.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Jones 70'
Goals: Ryan 20'
Attendance: 536 Referee: S C Hames
The proverbial game of two halves, as both teams had opportunities to decide this match. but eventially had to settle for a share of the points - probably a fair result. A well-organised Haverfordwest outfit gave us little opportunity to turn on the style in the first period and took full advantage of their posession to take the lead with a lobbed effort from Darren Ryan after 20 minutes. The second period was a diifferent story however, as we hit back immediately with a low drive from skipper Paul Roberts, and pressed hard throughout the half only to find visiting keeper Lee Kendall in flamboyant good form. Haverfordwest came back strongly in the final last few minutes, but our defence maintained its recent impressive streak to deny the West Walians.
Saturday 16 October 2004 at Cwmbran Stadium
Cwmbran Town 0 - 3 Bangor City
Cwmbran Town: Wesson, Coughlin, K.James, Perry, Welsh, Fowler, Phillips, Thomas, Mohamed (Hanbury 51'), Diamond (Plant 51'), Hurlin. Sub not used: Green
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Hurlin 20', James 45'
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Evans, E.Jones, Baker, Friel, Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts (L.Davies 88'), Gray (Hoy 88'), S.Davies. Sub not used: Short.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Connolly 45', Blackmore 64'
Goals: Gray 8', Roberts 77', Connolly 90'
Attendance: 151 Referee: K Morgan
Another excellent performance against opponents whom we have often found troublesome in the past. Young Tony Gray opened his account for us with an early strike and although Cwmbran huffed and puffed throughout the remainder of the first half and the beginning of the second period, our defence maintained its recent impressive performances (only one goal conceded in the last five games). In contrast, shakiness in the home team's rearguard allowed in-form Paul Roberts (who had already defied a foot injury to feature in the starting line-up) to nip in to double our advantage with about fifteen minutes of the game remaining. Young midfielder Mark Connolly sealed yet another important three points with a far post effort right on the final whistle, notching his first league goal of the campaign in the process.
Saturday 30 October 2004 at Y Treflan, Llansantffraid
Total Network Solutions 1 - 1 Bangor City
Total Network Solutions: Doherty, Naylor (Toner 70'), King, Aggrey, Evans, Holmes, Wood, Lloyd-Williams, Wilde (Hogan 64'), Beck, Leah. Sub not used: Taylor.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: King 76'
Goal: Lloyd-Williams 33'
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Scott, Hoy, Baker, L.Davies (Mottram 74'), Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts, Gray, S.Davies. Subs not used: Short, M.Jones Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards Blackmore 90'
Goal: Gray 27'
Attendance: 514 Referee: C Murray (Scottish FA)
Not many teams will take anything home from a visit to Y Treflan this season, so we can be more than contented with the single point we gained from this drawn match. Yet, with honours even at half-time, both teams had opportunity during the second period to secure all three points. Fielding a line-up affected by injuries to Paul Friel and Eifion Jones, we still drew first blood with an excellent turn and shot from outside the area by Tony Gray. TNS struck back almmost immediately with a typically darting near-post effort by Mark Lloyd-Williams and the second half was then set for an intriguing battle. There were no more goals to be had - but TNS had by far more opportunity, with Peter Hoy performing heroics to clear off the line and Richard Acton diving to his right to save a Lloyd-Williams penalty awarded by visiting Scottish referee Calum Murray. Gray and substitute Frank Mottram also had chances to seal the points for ourselves, but it was not to be, and in the end a draw was probably a fair result, with City likely to be the happier of the two teams.
Sunday, 7 November at Murchfield
Dinas Powys 2 - 3 Bangor City 3 (Welsh Cup 3rd round)
Dinas Powys: Clarke, Foate (Harries 79), Hemmens (Light 76), Piotroskswki, Drew, Bettles, Dix, Davies, Lewis (Lamb 66), Vick, Hosgood.
Red cards: None; Yellow cards: None
Goals: Dix 26', Lamb 80'
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Scott, Hoy, Baker, L.Davies (Short), Connolly, O Jones, Roberts (Mottram 76), Gray, S.Davies (M.Jones 85).
Red cards: None; Yellow cards: Blackmore 53', Gray 66', Scott 78'
Goals: Roberts 27', Connolly 28', Gray 59'
Attendance: approx 300 (tbc); referee :- R J Ellingham
This game proved far from a pushover as the Welsh League Div 1 outfit made us fight all the way before we clinched a 4th round place against WPL leaders Total Network Solutions. A goalmouth scramble saw Jamie Dix give the homesters a shock lead, but we outfoxed the defence twice within the next few minutes to give us an interval advantage through Paul Roberts and Mark Connolly, both continuing their good goalscoring form. Tony Gray, with a precise header from Simon Davies' pinpoint cross, gave us a three goal margin 15 minutes into the second half, but a strike in reply by Dinas Powys sub Spencer Lamb gave us a a nervous final ten minutes before the final whistle. Thanks to Mark Smith for the fuller version of this report, posted on the WPL mailing list.
Tuesday, 9 November 2004, at Farrar Road Bangor City 3 - 0 Connah's Quay Nomads (Premier Cup)
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Scott, Hoy, Baker, Les Davies (R Owen), Connolly, O Jones (Short), Roberts, Friel (Garside), S Davies
Goals: O Jones 2, Connolly
Connah's Quay Nomads: Bryan, Holmes, Heath, Hutchinson, Horan, Jellicoe, C.Williams, Mutton, D.Williams, Kenworthy, Owen
Subs: Terry, Rain, Griffiths, Mazzarella, Cornes
Attnedance: tbc; referee: B Lawlor
Two first-half goals netted just after the thirty-minute mark gave us a firm foundation for victory in this Premier Cup clash against Deeside opposition. The opening period was competitive, but with few clear-cut chances, until a misunderstanding in the visitors' defence gave us the lead. Paul Friel’s free kick was lofted into the box, and a challenge on the Quaysiders' keeper gave Owain Tudur Jones the chance to prod home. The lead was increased three minutes later when Paul Roberts’ through ball released Mark Connolly whose determined chase gave him the opportunity of rounding the keeper and sliding the ball home. A third goal after 62 minutes wrapped things up for us as Owain Jones notched his second, taking advantage of Les Davies' knock-back from Clayton Blackmore's corner. The prize for this impressive performance is a home fixture against Coca-Cola League opposition - a prospect to be relished. Thanks to www.citizens-choice.co.uk and www.faw-premiercup.com for the background to this report.
Friday, 19 November 2004 at Farrar Road Bangor City 2 - 1 Rhyl (Welsh Premier League)
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Scott, Hoy, E.Jones, Friel (L.Davies 67'), Connolly, (Short 89'), O.Jones, Roberts, Gray, S.Davies. Subs not used: M.Jones, Ogilvy
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Hoy 57' Friel 59'
Goals: Roberts 28', Gray 81'
Rhyl: Paul Smith, Brewerton, Stones, Burgess (M.Powell 57'), Edwards, Graves (McGinn 84'), Wilson, Limbert, Hunt, Peter Smith (Atherton 80'), Adamson.
Red Cards: Wilson 51' Limbert 57'; Yellow Cards Hunt 80'
Goal: Graves 72'
Attendance: 746; Referee B Lawlor
We continued our excellent run of good results (now unbeaten in eight) with a hard-fought win over current champions Rhyl, in a game full of incident played before a large and passionate crowd. The first half saw us make much of the running, taking the lead just before the half-hour mark when Paul Roberts nodded home Clayton Blackmore's cross from the right. Playing attractive, passing football, we had further chances to put the game beyond reach as Owain Jones went close more than once, and Tony Gray was a constant threat up front, holding the ball up well and ever threatening to turn defenders. Rhyl could not be discounted however, and also caused concern in our defence, forcing Richard Acton to be at his best to thwart attacks, and also skimming the bar on one occasion. Referee Lawlor caused controversy amongst the Rhyl fans early in the second half, flourishing the red card twice to dismiss visiting players, but this only inspired the Lilywhites to renewed effort, and it was little surprise when Stuart Graves took advantage of a lapse in concentration in our defence to shoot home from the right of the penalty area. We played much of the remainder of the second half on the back foot, threatening occasionally on the break, but in one of few attacks, Paul Roberts' half-blocked cross from the left crept across the area inviting Tony Gray to pounce and net the winning score.
Saturday, 27 November 2004, at The Recreation Ground Caersws 2 - 2 Bangor City
Caersws: Mulliner, Thomas, Jehu, Reynolds, Howells (Probert 81'), G.Lewis, (M.Lewis 88'), Venables, Marfell (Mitchell 45'), Evans, Jones, A.Davies.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: None
Goals: Davies 49', Evans 59'
Bangor City: Acton, Short, Scott, Hoy, Baker, Friel, Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts, Gray, S.Davies (L.Davies 71'). Subs not used: E.Jones, M.Jones, Ogilvie.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards S.Davies 70', Roberts 80'
Goals: O Jones 24', G Lewis (og) 74'
Attendance: 530 Referee: R J Ellingham
The point gained from this awkward fixture was hard won, as Caersws clearly showed that their recent impressive run of form and elevated league position are well deserved. Honours were even until, just before the half-hour, Owain Jones showed excellent footwork to waltz through the home defence and strike a firm shot beyond the diving Mulliner's right hand. Both teams had good chances to add to the goal tally before the break, with the home side being denied by City keeper Richard Acton, defenders Peter Hoy and Paul Friel, and a post, whilst Tony Gray was thwarted by an excellent save from Mulliner at the other end. A half-time substitution by Caersws boss Mickey Evans saw his team coming out with all guns blazing, and within the first quarter of the second period, the Bluebirds had not only equalised, but taken the lead - firstly through a rasping long distance shot from Andy Davies, and secondly by a skilful chip from prolific scorer Graham Evans. Caersws continued pressing, but in a rare attack, City striker Tony Gray was delighted to see his cross-shot from the left turned into the net by 'Sws defender Geraint Lewis. The final 15 minutes saw nervous moments for both teams, but in the end, we were more likely to be satisfied with the single point than would our hosts.
Saturday 4 December 2004, at Farrar Road
Bangor City 5 - 0 Airbus UK (Welsh Premier League)
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore (E.Jones 61'), Scott, Hoy, Baker, Friel, Connolly (Mottram 45'), O.Jones (Ogilvie 60'), Roberts, Gray, L.Davies. Sub not used: Short
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: None
Goals: Roberts 5', O Jones 10', L Davies 20' 35', Mottram 59'
Airbus UK: Whitfield, Rigby, Hopkins, Dodd, Davies, Mutanha, Jones, Quirk (S.Andrews 55'), Williams (Hughes 63'), McIntosh, Smart.Subs not used: Farrell, D.Andrews
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: None
Attendance: 377; Referee: S Jones
WPL newcomers Airbus UK were made to suffer in a game where we had the upper hand in firepower throughout, although the visitors came close to scoring more than once, hitting the woodwork and forcing our keeper Richard Acton into making a number of athletic saves. The result was never in real doubt, however, with Airbus looking particularly vulnerable to the lofted cross - Paul Roberts and Les Davies (twice) scoring with their heads. In contrast, Owain Jones and Frank Mottram netted through firm shots - Mottram being alert to register when the Airmen's defence failed to pick up the pieces from Kevin Scott's drive from the left. Our four goal advantage by the break allowed us to take the foot off the accelarator somewhat in the second period, and give young Ben Ogilvy a chance amongst the substitutes - at 17, Ben is probably one of the youngest to don the famous blue shirt.
Tuesday 7 December 2004, at Farrar Road
Bangor City 4 - 2 Aberystwyth Town. Matchball sponsor: Hampson Lewis Chartered Building Surveyors. Tel. 01492 536611; e-mail dilwyn@hampsonlewis.com
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Scott, Hoy, Baker, S.Davies, Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts, Gray, L.Davies (Mottram 89'). Subs not used: Short, E.Jones, Ogilvie.
Red Cards: None Yellow Cards: O.Jones 70', L.Davies 88'
Goals: Baker 32', Roberts 37' O Jones 78', Gray 89'
Aberystwyth Town: Solly, Evans (O.Thomas 66'), Burrows, A Thomas, S.James, Lewis (Gornall 85'), Hughes, Morgan, Moore, Allen, Hinton-Jones. Sub not used: D.James.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: None
Goals: A Thomas 15', Moore 83'
Attendance: 465 Referee: K J Parry
Some glorious attacking play, sandwiched between nervous moments caused by two opposition goals gave us a deserved win in our final home game before Christmas and sent fans home happy on a chilly night. Although we were the better side overall, Aber could never be discounted, and they had already threatened more than once before lanky visiting defender drove a free kick home through a wobbly Bangor wall. Revenge didn't take long to come, however, and after a few near misses, Phil Baker equalised with a rare goal, putting an end to some penalty-are pinball set off by Owain Jones' meaty shot. Our tall young midfielder played a part in all our remaining scores, Owain's long crossfield pass giving Paul Roberts a chance to show off his finishing skills shortly before the break, and himself showing a cool head and accurate placement to net our third part-way through the second half. Paul Moore's 83rd minute breakaway for Aber gave the visitors some late hope, but five minutes later, Owain Jones and Tony Gray combined in the visitors' box to give Gray another last-minute score.
Saturday 11 December 2004 at Richmond Park
Carmarthen Town 3 - 3 Bangor City (Welsh Premier League)
Carmarthen Town: Pennock, Aherne-Evans, Lloyd, Giles, Chiverton, Smothers, Dodds (Aspell 87'), Hardy, Lima, Summers, Cotterrall. Subs not used: Burke, Kennedy.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Smothers 64', Giles 68'
Goals: Summers 6', 61', Lloyd 68'
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Short (E.Jones 81'), Hoy, Baker, S.Davies, Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts, Gray (Mottram 85'), L.Davies (Friel 74'). Sub not used: M.Jones.
Red Cards: None Yellow Cards Blackmore 40'
Goals: Gray 18' 83' L Davies 28'
Attendance: 401 Referee: R J Ellingham
Gaining an away point at the home of one of the WPL's in-form teams is something we should be happy with, but at one point it seemed as though all three were there for the taking. Having said that, a pacy and determined Carmarthen side could easily have claimed the honours in this "Match of the Day", so a draw was ultimately a fair result. A game which, in general, was one for defenders to forget with three goals in each half provided excellent entertainment for the spectator. Much-travelled striker Chris Summers was the first to pounce for the home team, taking advantage of a deft lay-off in the box, but we fought back to take an interval lead with a close range effort from Tony Gray, and Les Davies continuing his goal streak with a curving left-footed shot from outside the box. Our young left-winger was also unlucky in the first period to see a similar effort come back off the Carmarthen woodwork. Stung by the City fightback, Carmarthen game out of the blocks for the second half with all guns blazing, and goals from Summers again, and Gary Lloyd restored the homesters' advantage, and with less than ten minutes to go seemed to have sealed victory. A confident penalty appeal against City defender Peter Hoy would probably have wrapped things up, but again Tony Gray proved to be the man for the late goal, taking advantage of a mix-up in the home defence to slot the ball calmly past 'keeper Pennock. There was time for a list twist in the tale as Paul Roberts' long-range shot clipped the outside of the Carmarthen post to deny us a win, but in the end, a draw was probably a fair reflection of the play.
18 December 2004 at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli Llanelli 5 - 1 Bangor City (Welsh Premier League)
Llanelli: G.Williams, Street, Crabbe (Turner 65'), Bird, Ashley, Hislop (Jones 80'), Thomas, Shephard, Cheesman (Guy 85'), Rose, C.Williams. Subs not used: Bowden, Connor.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Cheesman 56', Rose 69'
Goals: Cheesman 24' 44', C. Williams 22', Rose 75' Kyle Shepherd 90'
Bangor City: Acton, Short, E.Jones, Hoy, Baker, S.Davies, Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts, Mottram, L.Davies (Friel 62'). Subs not used: Parr, Griffiths.
Red Cards: Hoy 48'; Yellow Cards: Connolly 51'
Goal: L Davies 6'
Attendance: 171; Referee: P Thomas
Our final game before Christmas saw our long unbeaten run and impressive away record smashed in the most dramatic and disappointing of circumstances as we fell prey to a rampant and resurgent Llanelli eleven who have been anchored near the foot of the table all season. And it all started so well for us as Les Davies continued his good scoring form as he nodded home a far-post effort from Mark Connolly’s cross after just six minutes. But then it all fell apart as the home team, wioth Neil Thomas bossing midfield, played with a panache and confidence that few might have expected. Slick passing moves brought close-range goals for Cheeseman (2) and Williams before the break, whilst further efforts from Rose in the second half and a last-minute fifth from Shepherd, brought us our worst defeat in a league game for four years. Matters weren’t helped which City defender Peter Hoy was (perhaps unluckily) red-carded for a handling defence, although some justice was done when our ‘keeper Richard Acton saved Thomas’ penalty with his feet.
Monday 27 December 2004 at The Oval, Caernarfon Caernarfon Town 2 - 1 Bangor City (Welsh Premier League)
Caernarfon Town: Walsh, Phillips, Orlik (Evans 68'), Chalk, Hobson, McNulty, Peters, Williams, L Jones, Bird, Thomas. Subs not used: Hogg, Renshaw.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Chalk 57'; Evans 90'
Goals: L Jones 63'(p); Mike Bird 85'
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Scott (G Williams 45'), E Jones, Baker, S Davies,
Connolly, O Jones, Roberts, Gray, L Davies. Subs not used: Short, Mottram, M Jones.
Red Cards: Baker 62'; Yellow Cards: Blackmore 88'
Goals: L Davies 55'
Attendance: 998; Referee: K J Parry
We completed our 2004 programme with another unexpected defeat against one of the League's basement teams, but Caernarfon must be grateful - and Bangor cursing - that their keeper Walsh was in such inspired form throughout the game. Walsh pulled off save after save the first half to deny our best attacking efforts, but his best was kept back to thwart Paul Roberts twice in the game’s dying stages. Earlier, and after a first half dominated by ourselves, but with no goals to show for it, Les Davies had given us an early second half boost by continuing his run of headed goals after Paul Roberts and Simon Davies had combined well on the left. After an hour, however, Phil Baker's penalty box offence (and subsequent red card) gave Caernarfon the chance to level the scores through Lee Jones’ spot kick. The home team made the advantage of the extra man count, and their continual pressure was rewarded when Mike Bird flighted a free kick over our wall to deceive Richard Acton and put Caernarfon ahead for the first time. There was plenty of end-to-end action in the remaining few minutes – enough time for Walsh again to show his skills as most Bangor fans would twice have put their money on Paul Roberts levelling the scores. It was not to be, however, but fortunately, we have only to wait until New Year’s Day to have the chance of exacting revenge as our near neighbours visit Farrar Road for the return leg of this double-header.
Saturday 1 January 2005 at Farrar Road
Bangor City 2 - 0 Caernarfon Town (Welsh Premier League)
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Scott, Hoy, E Jones, S Davies, Williams (M Jones 65'), O Jones, Roberts, Gray (Mottram 70'), L Davies (Short 87').
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Williams 18'
Goals: Blackmore 81', M Jones 83'
Caernarfon Town: Walsh, Evans, Orlik, Chalk, Hobson, McNulty, Peters, Williams, Thomas (Redshaw 75'), Bird (O Jones 28'), Phillips.
Sub not used: Roberts.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards; Peters 40', Jones 78'
Attendance: 636; Referee: S L Evans
Atrocious weather conditions did their best to spoil this return leg of the seasonal derby and in the end it was left to two men whose names have featured little on the scorecard this year to restore local honour after the unpleasant shock of defeat at The Oval two days after Christmas. Treacherous conditions underfoot, and a pitch which cut up more as the match progressed made it impossible to play a passing game, and on those rare occasions when we threatened in the first half, the woodwork, and Caernarfon ‘keeper Walsh again combined to thwart Paul Roberts' best efforts. We did not have it all our own way either as more than once Caernarfon broke through, and Richard Acton and his slithering defenders were grateful to see the visitors' efforts denied by desperate blocking and wasteful finishing. The introduction of winger Morgan Jones into the Bangor attack mid way through the second half, however, gave some spark to our forward line and the former Everton player’s pace and tricky crossing woke up a decent crowd was had been preparing for a blank scoreline. Ten minutes before the end, a melee in the Caernarfon area caused by Kevin Scott's free kick was ended by Clayton Blackmore who thrashed home his second League goal of the season, and just two minutes later, and fine run and cross from Les Davies on the left picked out Morgan Jones close to the penalty spot. The diminutive forward turned to sweep his shot firmly past the despairing Walsh for a WPL debut goal, and brought to a conclusion a double-header which left honours even between the two local rivals.
Saturday 15 January 2005, at Y Traeth, Porthmadog
Porthmadog 3 - 0 Bangor City
Porthmadog: McGuigan, J.G.Jones, Foster, Davies, Webber, Owen, Parry, S.Jones, (Rowlands 66'), M.Williams (T.Williams 75'), C.Owen, Caughter. Sub not used: D.Evans
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: J.G.Jones 62', Webber 76'
Goals: Davies 23' M Williams 59' Carl Owen 74'
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Hoy, E.Jones, Baker, S.Davies, Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts, Gray (Mottram 75'), L.Davies. Subs not used: Short, Friel, Ogilvy
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Roberts 30'
Attendance: 339; Referee: K Morgan.
Porthmadog completed a rare, but deserved, double over us at a chilly Traeth, which had recovered miraculously well from floods less than a week previously. In truth, the result could have been worse, as the home team had chances to add to the three goals they put away, whilst we threatened only infrequently, and when we came closest to scoring, were denied by bad luck and courageous tackling. Richard Acton did well to tip over an early warning shot from a Port attack early in the game, but was powerless to stop Ryan Davies’ close range effort after just over 20 minutes. Tony Gray came closest to reply for us, notably with an effort from the right which was deflected just wide of the far post for a corner, but the second half saw Port seal their victory with strikes from efforts from Mark Williams and Carl Owen. Our best efforts came from Gray and Paul Roberts, but Port were good value for their win and we can really have few complaints about the result.
Saturday 21 January 2005, at Farrar Road
Bangor City 1 - 0 Afan Lido (Welsh Premier League). Match sponsored by Queensferry Sports.
Bangor City: Acton, Blackmore, Scott (Short 77'), E.Jones, Baker, Hoy, Connolly, O.Jones, Roberts. Mottram (Gray 73'), L.Davies.
Sub not used: Ogilvy
Red Cards: Connolly 63'; Yellow Cards:Connolly 52'
Goals: Connolly 41'
Afan Lido FC: Thomas. Roberts, Driscoll, C.Evans, Holmes, Reid, McCreesh, Pridham, Piper. Taylor (Patton 85'), Hurley (Reynolds 80').
Sub not used: Martin
Red Cards: Roberts 81'; Yellow Cards Piper 38', Driscoll 43' Roberts 52' McCreesh 60' Reid 87'
Attendance: 323, Referee: S P Cavanagh
An undistinguished game played on a bitterly cold and damp January afternoon saw us return to winning ways with the narrowest of victories against a muscular Lido XI. Chances were few and far between, although the visitors did test Richard Acton more than once, to find him in alert form. We played defender Phil Baker in midfield in place of the departed Simon Davies, and alongside Owain Jones. The change certainly seemed to firm up the centre of the field, and gave Jones (appointed as captain) the opportunity to demonstrate the attacking side of his game. The only goal came shortly before half time when Mark Connolly's persistence in chasing a lost cause gave him the opportunity to toe poke home after confusion in the visitors' defence. The second half was enlivened only by a series of scuffles between the two teams, which resulted in Connolly and the visitors' Roberts being shown red cards. Lido threatened briefly from free kicks, but our defence closed out their attacks without great difficulty.
Tuesday 25 January 2005 at Farrar Road
Bangor City 1 - 0 Cardiff City (FAW Premier Cup)
Bangor City: Priestley, Blackmore, Scott, E Jones, Hoy, Baker, Connolly, O Jones, Roberts, Gray, Davies (Mottram 87). Subs not used: Short, Ogilvy, Garside, Owen
Red cards: None; Yellow Cards: None
Goal: Anthony (og) 4'
Cardiff City: Barrett, Anthony, Huggins, Fish (Parkins 86), Parslow, Rberry, Taylor, Koskela, Fleetwood, Thomas (Easter 60), Kift (McDonald 69). Subs not used: Allison, Morgan
Red cards: None; Yellow Cards: Anthony 74', Rubery 75'
Crowd: 1086; Referee: C Richards
After a delayed start at Farrar Road due to an accident that closed the A55 for a while, there was a frenetic start as we put the young Cardiff City team under early pressure. With five players who had appeared in the first team as well as a Finnish Under 21 international in their ranks, Cardiff were initially overpowered as our forwards Paul Roberts and Tony Gray found space all over the pitch. It took just four minutes for us to take the lead as Kevin Scott’s inswinging corner seemed to deflect into Cardiff’s net off the visitors’ captain, Byron Anthony. Playing at a high tempo, we made more chances as Paul Roberts screwed a shot wide soon afterwards, and then slipped Gray through who brought a good save from Barrett in the visitors goal. We continued to dominate with good quality passing, and seemed quicker to the ball than the visitors, but didn’t increase our lead by the interval, despite plenty of possession. Little was seen of Cardiff, as strikers Fleetwood and Thomas struggled to get a touch of the ball in the first 45 minutes. There was a change after the interval, as the visitors seemed to step up a gear, getting at least equal possession, but without really threatening our goal. A number of long-range efforts caused little discomfort to Phil Priestley and the most likely source of an equaliser seemed to be a dead ball situation. Defensively, we held our shape well, and it was no surprise that the early goal decided the game. With Roberts always sharp, in fact we could have extended our lead on a number of occasions. With 15 minutes left Eifion Jones headed home, but the goal was disallowed for pushing. At the final whistle, there was no way to disguise our fans’ delight at another famous win. With acknowledgments to www.faw-premiercup.com
Friday 28 January 2005 at Farrar Road
Bangor City 2 - 0 Connahs Quay Nomads (Welsh Premier League)
Bangor City: Priestley, Blackmore (O'Neill 89'), Scott, E.Jones (Short 89'), Hoy, Baker, Thomas, O.Jones, Roberts, Mottram (Gray 80'). Sub not used: Ogilvy
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Scott 70'
Goals: Scott 29' Paul Roberts 32'(p)
Connahs Quay Nomads: Bryan, Tuft, Heath (Rain 45'), Hutchinson, Horan, Jellicoe, C.Williams, Mutton, Crawford, Griffiths (D.Williams 45'), Owen (Mazzarella 33'). Sub not used: Cooke
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Hutchinson 71'
Attendance: 439; Referee: A Richards
We completed a good week's work with our third consecutive victory in our third consecutive home fixture - a convincing win over in-form Connahs Quay - a victory which could, in fact, have been by a wider margin. Throughout most of the game we put the visitors under pressure, with new recruit Neil Thomas fitting in well on the right - not only engineering some tempting crosses, but also tackling back industriously when the need arose. Our fullbacks also wasted little opportunity in getting in on the act, and they combined to notch our first goal after half an hour. A Clayton Blackmore piledriver lashed against the stricken visiting keepers' post, and from a free kick conceded through the Quaysiders' scrambled clearance, leftback Kevin Scott notched his first goal for the club, firing home an unstoppable effort though the gap left by Blackmore's clever diversion. A second effort followed in short order, as Paul Roberts did the business from the spot, after a Nomads defender had handled in the box. Home supporters looked forward to more of the same in the second half, but whilst our build-up play was often excellent, a slight relaxation perhaps meant that we had to be satisfied with the brace, even though Eifion Jones hit the bar with a close-range header and Thomas, Owain Jones, Mottram and Roberts each went close more than once.
Saturday 5 February, 2005 at Y Treflan, Llansantffraid
Total Network Solutions 2 – 1 Bangor City (Welsh Cup 4th round)
TNS: Doherty, King, Holmes, Aggrey, Evans, Hogan, Ruscoe, Lloyd-Williams, Wilde, Toner (Lawless 62'), Wood. Subs not used: Taylor, Beck.
Red cards: None; Yellow cards: None
Goals: Wilde 66' Ruscoe 90'
Bangor City: Priestley, Blackmore, Scott, Hoy, Jones, Baker, Connnolly, O Jones, Roberts, Gray (Mottram 29'), Davies. Subs not used: Short, O'Neill
Red cards: None; Yellow cards: Blackmore 90'
Goal: Roberts 72’
A last-minute goal, set up by a former City favourite, was enough to knock us out of this closely-contested Welsh Cup 4th round clash. Until that moment, we had held our own against the WPL’s full-timers in a game where clear-cut chances were at a premium. Frank Mottram, coming on early for the injured Tony Gray had the best opportunity for ourselves, firing over where well-placed, and Paul Roberts also had an effort saved by the home keeper, but the interval saw a blank scoreline and the game tantalisingly-balanced. TNS were the first to draw blood in the second period, Wilde striking with a cross-shot from the right, after a number of ricochets from the Bangor area had delivered the ball into his path. We showed great character however in coming back almost immediately, with Paul Roberts’ shot taking a slight deflection to elude the keeper, after good build-up work by Owain Jones and Les Davies. We had the opportunity to take the lead for the first time a few minutes later, when Roberts’ carefully-placed header beat the keeper, only to hit the post and bounce to safety. This bad luck seemed to take the wind out of our sails, and the homesters came back strongly, their persistence and fitness paying off when Marc Lloyd-Williams’ clever nod back from the right goal-line found Ruscoe who headed home the decider from close range. A very even game which, with a little more luck, could have ended up in victory for ourselves.
Tuesday 8 February 2005 at Latham Park, Newtown
Newtown 0 - 0 Bangor City (Welsh Premier League)
Newtown AFC: Ellacott, Harris, Giles, Hughes, Allen, Moody, Brown (Matthews 75'), D.Desormeaux, Field (Webb 84'), Barton, Futcher. Subs not used: O.Williams, C.Williams, Langford.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: Allen 81'
Bangor City: Priestley, Short, Scott, Hoy, O'Neill, Baler, Thomas, O.Jones,
Roberts, Mottram (Connolly 78'), Davies. Subs not used: E.Jones, Owen.
Red Cards: None; Yellow Cards: None
Attendance: 225; Referee: N L Morgan
Two teams out-of-sorts, a stop-start encounter riddled with niggling fouls and a chilly Fenruary night in front of a small crowd were hardly the recipe for an enthralling evening, and so it proved as City and Newtown held each other to a goalless draw at Latham Park. Not to say that chances weren’t on offer – just that the forwards on the end of them failed to show sufficient composure to take advantage. The home team’s misses were the worst – Danny Field scooping over the bar when it seemed easier to score, and two Newtown forwards getting in each others’ way in queuing up for a far post header. Phil Priestley also had to be alert more than once as the homesters threatened. Our best efforts came from Frank Mottram and Paul Roberts – keeper Marty Ellacott saving superbly from the evergreen Mottram’s second-half effort, whilst Neil Thomas also went close for us, hitting the bar with a fine shot from outside the box.
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Clayton Blackmore - steadying hand in the defence
Morgan Jones - tricky right-winger
Chris Priest - unlucky injury against Welshpool
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