Cup thriller keeps life interesting for Citizens’ faithful
LIFE is never dull at Bangor City. A surprise managerial resignation and a thrilling Welsh Cup win, where they had to come from behind to see off rank outsiders, are just two episodes in the Nantporth saga over the past week.
Director of football Stephen Vaughan Jr is currently in charge of the team following the departure of Craig Harrison to become head coach at Connah’s Quay Nomads last Friday.
And Vaughan Jr’s first game at the helm ended in success as City defeated Mold Alexandra, of the Welsh National League Premier Division, 4-2 at home in the Welsh Cup first round.
Eight-time cup winners Bangor will now host Cefn Albion, who play at the same level as Mold, in round two next month.
Mold took a shock lead on 15 minutes when leading goalscorer Callum Freeman slid the ball to Terry Pughe, who slotted home from the right.
In no time at all it was 1-1, as Steven Hewitt sent over a free kick from the left which bounced to Andy Jones to prod home from close range at the back post.
And four minutes later, Bangor took the lead as Les Davies shot home from Jacob Farleigh’s cross.
Young talent Sam Jones then crashed a shot against the crossbar but it remained 2-1 up to the break.
A minute into the second half, Farleigh cut the visitors’ defence open on the left to set up Davies to sweep home from six yards.
Mold halved the deficit on 54 minutes as the impressive Freeman ran clear on the right and beat Chris Mullock with a crisp low strike.
Alex threatened to equalise before Bangor got back on top and, on 71 minutes, Alex Darlington latched onto a rebound after Davies’ initial effort was blocked to round off the scoring.
Harrison’s step down as manager of City, to take on the position vacated at Nomads by the return of Neil Gibson to Prestatyn, came somewhat out of the blue.
The departing boss joined the Citizens as first-team boss in May after a short spell in charge at National League club Hartlepool United.
He had previously been manager at The New Saints between 201117, winning six Welsh Premier titles, four Welsh Cups and three League Cups with the full-time club, as well as breaking the world record for consecutive match victories in 2016-17 (27).
In his time with Bangor, Harrison won five, drew one and lost three of nine league matches.
The club stands fifth in the Huws Gray Alliance, having been relegated to the second-tier of Welsh football for the first time in their history last season after failing to attain the mandatory Tier 1 and Uefa licences.
Bangor have also reached the semi-finals of the Huws Gray Cup.
A statement from City revealed Harrison told the club on Friday morning that he wanted to leave to pursue a full-time role.
“Compensation has been agreed between the two clubs and we wish Craig well in his new role,” said the statement.
Director of football Vaughan Jnr has taken charge of the first team, assisted by general-manager Luke Purcell and experienced nonleague manager Alan Lewer until further notice.
Before last Saturday’s game got under way there was a minute’s silence for popular long-time blues supporter Dick Rigby, who had died earlier in the week.