Sucker punched
BANGOR DOMINATE BUT ARE UNDONE BY A LATE GOAL
IT’S an age old hard luck story of footballing injustice.
The home team dominates a match but cannot score and then the defence-minded visiting side lands a sucker punch with a late winning goal.
That’s how it went on Saturday as Bangor City were knocked off the top of the Welsh Premier League after a 1-0 defeat against Barry Town United.
Kayne McLaggon’s 83rd minute decider scuppered the Citizens’ 100% home record.
City manager Kevin Nicholson was disappointed with the outcome but far from despondent.
“It was a disappointing result and a missed opportunity to win another game,” said Nicholson.
“I have to congratulate Barry. Their management and players came with a game plan, it worked for them in terms of soaking up our pressure and trying to hit us on the break which they did for the goal.
“Nonetheless we thought we played below the standards we’ve set in recent weeks and maybe that third game in a week caught up with us. We had a lot of possession, but we knew the way they were playing they would be very difficult to break down. We had to try and find ways to do that and a lot of that was trying to go wide instead of through the middle, where there wasn’t a lot of space as Barry were so well organised. We got crosses in, we had some shots, but we never looked as clinical as what we have been in recent matches.
“What’s important now is focusing on the next game but that shouldn’t take away how well we’ve been playing in recent weeks. What we need to do is get back to that form, get back to winning ways and I’m sure we can do that. We’ve got 25 games still to play, lots of points still to play for.”
Dean Rittenberg tested Barry keeper Mike Lewis early on before Gary Taylor-Fletcher, a midweek match-winner against Connah’s Quay Nomads, blasted narrowly over and shortly afterwards Brayden Shaw went close.
Barry responded with a Connor Roberts stop to deny McLaggon, who was then foiled by a timely Anthony Miley tackle as he raced towards goal.
Lewis produced a fine save from Shaw and Rittenberg’s follow-up hit a post but he was ruled offside.
In the 36th minute a Danny Holmes cross hit a Barry player’s hand and referee Iwan Griffith initially looked to have awarded a penalty before indicating otherwise.
Two minutes into the second half Rittenberg deflected Laurence Wilson’s rasping shot into the net but was ruled offside.
Lewis kept out efforts from Damian Allen and Taylor-Fletcher, who curled another attempt wide.
The Barry keeper continued to frustrate Bangor, denying Rittenberg, Luke Wall and Shaw, who then dragged another strike just off target. City were left aghast again when Lewis spilled Wall’s shot and substitute Daniel Nardiello netted but was adjudged offside.
Then came the sucker punch as McLaggon scored with seven minutes left. Despite Bangor’s best efforts there was to be no equaliser.
City were keen to bounce back quickly last night when they travelled to Nomads for their Nathaniel MG Cup clash.
BANGOR CITY: Connor Roberts, Danny Holmes, Tom Kennedy, Luke Wall, Anthony Miley, Brayden Shaw (Sion Edwards 87), Gary Taylor-Fletcher (George Harry 87), Damian Allen, Steven Hewitt, Dean Rittenberg (Daniel Nardiello 75), Laurence Wilson.