1876 maintain winning run by beating Bulls
IN blustery conditions, a determined Bangor 1876 side maintained their winning streak in the Gwynedd League with a 2-1 win against a Trearddur Bay side who have been in impressive form this term, writes JONATHAN ERVINE.
In the opening period, the strong wind favoured the home side as they defended the clubhouse end of the pitch.
However, Bangor 1876 showed considerable resolve in the challenging conditions and were marshalled well in the centre of the pitch by Luke Steele and Dylan Williams.
Midway through the opening period, Bangor 1876 took the lead. Dylan Summers-Jones showed his pace to break into the left-hand side of the hosts’ penalty area before calmly guiding a right footed shot past home goalkeeper Konner Druce.
Summers-Jones had an opportunity to double 1876’s advantage not long afterwards, but his left-footed shot went narrowly past Druce’s left-hand post. As half-time approached, Les Davies fired in a powerful shot from a tight angle that flashed across the face of goal and just wide.
With it looking like Bangor 1876 were about to reach half-time a single goal ahead, they doubled their advantage in the closing minute of the opening period.
An astute through ball from Davies found Summers-Jones in an almost identical position to the one from which he had opened the scoring. 1876’s on-form striker made no mistake, steering the ball into the net and making the score 2-0 at the interval.
With a strong wind behind them in the second half, a third goal for Bangor 1876 almost arrived from an unlikely source. Having won a free-kick on the left-hand side just inside the visitors’ half, Matthew Lock swung the ball into the box and Druce did well to parry the ball away for a corner.
1876 asserted their authority as the second period progressed, and Summers-Jones came close to completing a hat-trick after cutting inside on his right foot and firing in a low shot from 20 yards that Druce did well to turn around the post for a corner as it bounced up just in front of him. However, the home side managed to get back into the game via a penalty awarded after a foul just inside the area.
Iolo Jones clinically converted the spot kick as Trearddur Bay gained impetus with 10 minutes left of the match.
Despite the Bulls having their tails up in the closing stages, Bangor 1876 stood firm and clinched a narrow and important victory in front of a large contingent of travelling fans.
Next up for Bangor 1876 is a visit to nearby Caergybi for a Gwynedd League match on Saturday, December
14 (kick-off 2pm, at Millbank).
This will be followed by a trip to Llanystumdwy on Saturday, December 21 for another Gwynedd League match, which will also start at 2pm.
Prior to the top-of-the-table clash at Trearddur Bay, Bangor 1876 assistant manger and team captain Michael Johnston, and Les Davies visited Dewi Ward, the children’s ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd.
As the community’s club, they distributed gifts to the children, including club scarves, which have been kindly donated by Liam Jones.