Citizens triumph on their travels at Bay

BANGOR City’s fine form since their Europa League exit continued when they earned a 2-1 victory at Colwyn Bay, reports Jonathan Ervine.

Goals from Brayden Shaw and Sam Henry ensured the Citizens made it three straight wins, following a 3-0 success at Skelmersdale and 1-0 triumph over Flint Town United.

Last Friday’s test at Llanelian Road against Evo-Stik Division One North outfit Bay got off to a lively start.

Inside the first 45 seconds Shaw put Bangor ahead, breaking into the box to beat Colwyn goalkeeper Matt Cooper from 15 yards after a lay-off from recent signing George Harry.

City’s lead lasted barely a minute as the home side’s left winger Astley Mulholland equalised after breaking in the visitors’ penalty area and side-footing past Connor Roberts from 10 yards.

With the game still only seven minutes old, Shaw almost put City back in front but his header rebounded off the crossbar and Cooper saved from Henry’s follow-up shot. ANGLESEY youngsters William Lynch and Mathew Jones have been picked to represent Wales under-16s against England and Ireland.

William, from Benllech, and Bodedern-based Mathew are products of Leigh Miners Rangers Academy, which has produced numerous professional and international players over the years.

William has been there since the age of six and Mathew joined four seasons

Shaw remained a threat and produced a left-footed shot on the turn that forced Cooper into a save in the 23rd minute.

Shortly after the half hour, City’s record signing had a great chance to put his team back in front after the ball was cut back to him by the impressive Cai Owen, but Shaw’s shot from near the penalty spot went over the bar. ago. Over the past three years they have both played at the junior rugby top level, in the North West Counties Premier Division (league) and in the union code with both Llangefni and Bangor.

Last year both were awarded an U16 scholarship at Salford City Red Devils and have just completed the season playing the likes of Widnes, Hull, Cumbria, London Broncos, Newcastle and the Midlands.

They have also just returned from a club visit to Perpignan to play the Catalan Dragons academy side.

The start to the second period was not as frenetic as the beginning of the first and City slowly began to dominate.

In the 54th minute, a neat pass by Shaw allowed Sion Edwards to break into the left-hand side of the box and fire a powerful shot narrowly past Cooper’s far post.

After a spell punctuated by a series of substitutions, Harry narrowly failed to get on the end of a cross from the right by Shaw. Minutes later, the hosts missed an excellent chance to take the lead as substitute Jack Hindle cut the ball back just behind the onrushing Jamie Rainford who appeared set to side-foot home at the rear post.

In the 78th minute, the hosts would come to rue that miss as a neat through pass allowed Henry time to control the ball before dinking it over Cooper to put City back in front.

Although Bay pressed hard in the closing minutes, the Bangor defence stood firm and repelled a series of home attacks in order to gain a deserved 2-1 victory.

Bangor City: Connor Roberts; Lawrence Wilson, Tom Kennedy, Danny Holmes, Cai Owen; Sion Edwards, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Danny Gossett, George Harry; Brayden Shaw; Sam Henry.

Substitutions: Anthony Miley for Kennedy (half-time), Dan Nardiello for Wilson (61 min), Luke Wall for Nardiello (65), Wilson for Sion Edwards (68).

Unused substitutes: Dean Rittenberg, Matt Hall.