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ZIMBRU CHISINAU 2 - 1 CITY
MIKE SMITH'S MATCH REPORT
 City's Europa League adventure was ended by a three minute double from Oleg Molla.
A lively opening ten minutes might have gone either way with both sides making and somehow failing to convert chances. There were chances at both ends as Oleg Molla shot wide for the hosts and Nicolae Calancea saved well from Chris Jones who ran on goal from the right. Jones for Chris Simm was the only change to the blues starting line up.
Moments later Calancea saved well from Jamie Brewerton before Molla went close twice more in quick succession. On eight minutes Sion Edwards sent a rising left footer off target from the left.
Sion Edwards released Mark Smyth on the left, his deep cross found Les Davies in the box but his header flew wide. Minutes later Les Davies fired on target, saw his shot deflected for a corner, but Zimbru cleared and the lively Radu Catan threatened on the break.
Midway through the first half Lee Idzi saved well from the dangerous Molla before on 29 minutes Oleg Molla broke the deadlock with a well placed close range header after City had failed to clear a deep cross from the right. Three minutes later it got worse for Bangor as goalscorer Oleg Molla latched onto a loose ball to lash home beyond a startled Lee Idzi from long range to the delight of the Zimbru fans behind the goal.
Bangor had to clear their heads now and try to resist what turned into a period of menace from Zimbru.Lee Idzi saved well twice from long range shots and Michael Johnston and Liam Brownhill looked strong as City managed to repel the pressure. Then a break through on 44 minutes as a deep diagonal from Chris Roberts on the left found evaded Zastavni and was pounced on by the predatory Mark Smyth at the right hand post and his calm, low finish slid past Calancea into the net for a crucial goal for City.
Minutes later it was half time and City left the field with heads and hopes held high.
HALF TIME 2-1
Bangor fashioned the first opening of the second half as Chris Roberts diagonal ball found Mark Smyth on the edge fo the box but his shot screwed wide to the right. Ten minutes after the interval a change for Zimbru as Tumbasevic came on for Zastanvyi then seconds later Alan Bull replaced Sion Edwards who had been well and truly clattered in the Zimbru box.
Number 18 Balasa was yellow carded by Mr Nicolaides before Molla went close once more as City struggled to clear their lines under pressure. Sischin and Molla both going close again before the danger passed.
On 62 Chris Simm came on for Chris Jones and moments later a close shave for the home side as Liam Brownhill's cross was misjudged by the lanky Calancea and bounced off the crossbar and back into play. Mark Smyth was enjoying a fine evening on the left and his close control saw him beat two defenders on the touchline but his pacey low cross skimmed across the box and out of harms way. On 67 minutes a third and final change for Bangor in midfield as Dave Morley came on for Craig Garside who has worked hard in midfield.
Nicolaev went close for Zimbru then Chris Simm saw his shot blocked as both sides carved half chances. Barahkoev also threatened for Zimbru who promptly replaced the impressive Sischin with Korgalidze. Daniel Nicolaev then shot weakly wide when he had time and space to do better. City survived and kept their hopes alive.
Les Davies was shown the yellow card for dissent after he was harshly adjudged to have fouled in the box under a high cross. On 80 mins Liam Brownhill joined him in the book for a mistimed challenge as Zimbru pressed. Seven minutes from time Nicolaev made way for Gafina as Bangor tried to mount some pressure on the home goal. Les Davies crossed from the right and Alan Bull forced a corner with his low shot at the back post. Mark Smyth delivered the corner which Jamie Brewerton headed wide under pressure.
As five added minutes ran out Les Davies was again harshly penalised for a challenge before Calancea was yellow carded for time wasting over a goalkick. One last chance was all City fans preyed for a it duly arrived as Les Davies won a late late corner on the right. Mark Smyth delivered and Dave Morley rose highest - but headed over and onto the roof of the net.
And that was about it as time eventually did run out and the home side celebrated a narrow aggregate win. A narrow defeat for City but defeat nonetheless an end to Europa hopes.
13 July 2012
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