Citizens aim to recreate famous cup win over TNS
BANGOR City will aim to recreate a piece of Welsh Cup magic when they travel to face holders The New Saints in the quarter-finals of the competition this Saturday (2.30pm).
Back in 2012/13, the Citizens caused a big upset when Chris Jones’ late strike secured them a 1-0 victory over the full-timers in a semi-final at Rhyl.
That remains Bangor’s last win over TNS, who have been victorious in each of 12 meetings in all competitions between the sides since.
Having recently lost their 31-match unbeaten record in a 1-0 defeat at Carmarthen Town, followed by a 4-1 thrashing at St Mirren in last Sunday’s Irn-Bru Cup semi, the Saints are suffering a very rare blip in form.
City, by contrast, have won their last two encounters, both at home to Gap Connah’s Quay and Cardiff Met respectively, but this weekend’s trip to Park Hall will be a different ball game altogether.
Last Saturday saw the all-blues lead 3-0 at the break against Met, but they were pegged back in the second period and just about held on for a 3-2 victory.
Met threatened first in this Welsh Premier Championship Conference clash, Chris Baker’s shot being blocked by keeper Connor Roberts before the same player sent a 20-yard dipper inches over.
City’s first serious attempt came in the 17th minute when Gary Taylor-Fletcher put Brad Jackson in the clear, but the Burnley loanee’s angled shot was kept out by keeper Will Fuller.
Bangor were well on top when they took a 27th-minute lead, Taylor-Fletcher’s beautiful lobbed pass putting Henry Jones clear to finish clinically.
It was 2-0 in the 32nd minute when Daniel Nardiello used his strength to win a high bouncing ball in the box, rounded the keeper and unselfishly set up Dean Rittenberg to collect his first goal in a Bangor shirt.
Dan Spencer drilled one wide for the visitors before the Citizens added a third in the 43rd minute, Jackson’s fine pass releasing Jones for his second of the contest, and fourth in two games.
Met rallied after the interval, Elliot Evans making it 3-1 three minutes in with a magnificent curling finish.
In the 56th minute Evans dispossessed Sergio Uyi far too easily and set up Dan Spencer to cut the deficit to one.
Met were on fire, and before the hour City were indebted to keeper Roberts for a great double save to thwart Spencer and Baker.
Bangor finally got to grips with the situation and the game became very niggly, with a number of yellow cards issued to both sides.
City substitute Rodrigo Branco posed a big danger in the closing minutes, the Brazilian firing straight at Fuller before his pace put him in on goal again, but he struck the post.
In the 90th minute Roberts produced a super save at full stretch to foil Charlie Corsby, then defender Emlyn Lewis headed in from the resulting corner but the goal was disallowed for pushing – a welcome let-off for the Citizens.
In the dying seconds, Uyi put his body on the line to stop Baker scoring and the final whistle blew to the relief of the home fans who celebrated a hard-earned three points.