City return to winning ways
Dean’s double halts slide down table
BANGOR City had the chance to move within two points of JD Welsh Premier League leaders The New Saints when they were due to host Aberystwyth Town last night (Tuesday).
City made a welcome return to winning ways last Saturday with a 2-1 victory at Newtown which lifted Kevin Nicholson’s side back up to fourth place.
Bangor had lost four of their previous five league encounters before turning the tables at Latham Park.
Dean Rittenberg struck twice for a visiting team which had been defeated in their last three WPL fixtures. Former Blackburn Rovers prospect Rittenberg notched the winner with seven minutes remaining after ex-City striker Jamie Reed had brought the Robins level.
Rittenberg said: “We knew we needed a reaction from three games getting beat. We knew we needed a performance for the fans and ourselves. We showed good character. When they equalised we needed to come back and score another; we worked hard and it was a great win.”
Describing his two goals, Rittenberg added: “The first one was just right place, right time. I think it came to me off Steven Hewitt’s shoulder.
“The second one was just closing down the keeper, I got it off him and was left with an open goal. It needed an eternity to go in, but we needed that.”
Bangor manager Kevin Nicholson said: “It was a very important win and a huge three points for everyone associated with the club. We needed to win to stay in touch with the teams at the top and we did it. We had to show a bit of everything to get the win and we were very pleased with the players’ efforts and the shift they collectively put in.
“It’s been a tough few weeks for us all but that’s football, there will be ups and downs during a season and it’s always about showing the character and determination that’s required to keep going and turn things around.
“We said before the game that we had drawn a line under October, which was a month to forget, and start picking up the points again on a consistent basis and make November a month to remember.
“We are off to a good start and now the aim is to continue in the same way.”
Promoted to the first team for his Welsh Premier debut was Guto Williams, who has emerged through City’s successful development side.
The deadlock was broken right on the interval when Luke Wall’s cross was flicked on by Steven Hewitt and Rittenberg was unmarked at the back post to fire into the roof of the net.
With 15 minutes left, Reed backheeled home to level it, but Bangor clinched the points when Rittenberg robbed keeper Dave Jones and put away the decider.