Bangor hope to put on repeat
BANGOR City would be delighted if lightning struck twice when they take on Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints at Nantporth this Saturday (5.15pm kick-off ).
On the opening weekend of the season, the Citizens stunned the WPL by whipping the Saints 5-2 at home.
Since then, TNS have beaten Bangor twice at Park Hall and wrapped up a seventh successive league title.
However, they will still want to avoid a repetition of that night last August when they visit Kevin Nicholson’s side on Saturday.
Currently third in the table but level on points with Connah’s Quay Nomads in second, City need a win to stay on course for runners-up spot and an automatic Europa League place. Nomads will entertain Cardiff Met earlier in the day.
The Citizens will enter their latest encounter on a high having won 2-1 at Met last Sunday.
The students threatened first when a low drive from Eliot Evans was safely gathered by Bangor keeper Matthew Hall.
Adam Roscrow set up Dylan Rees soon after for a golden opportunity but he fired straight at Hall.
City responded when Luke Wall broke down the right and Dean Rittenberg headed his cross narrowly wide.
Roscrow tested Hall before the Citizens took the lead on the halfhour.
Alex Darlington allowed the ball to bounce after it looped over keeper Will Fuller and the former TNS striker put away his first goal for his new club.
Six minutes later Met were level when big central defender Emlyn Lewis headed in from a free kick.
Both sides went close at the start of the second half, Darlington seeing his effort tipped over by Fuller before Roscrow drilled against the post.
However, on 54 minutes Bangor were back in front when Rittenberg finished off a Steven Hewitt cross.
The students almost levelled again in the 69th minute when Evans’ fiercely struck free kick came back off the crossbar. Met continued to press, but the killer pass eluded them as the visitors defended stoically.
This was a welcome win on the road for Bangor at a ground where they have struggled on previous visits.
After the disappointment of losing at home to Bala last time out, this result was just what the doctor ordered for City.