1876 hit 10 to maintain 100 per cent record
BANGOR 1876 continued their high-scoring start to 2020 at Parc Meurig with a 10-2 win against Bethesda Athletic, writes JONATHAN ERVINE. The first goal arrived inside the first minute as a right-wing cross from Jamie Petrie struck the outstretched leg of a Bethesda defender and flew past home goalkeeper Rob Beattie.
1876 doubled their lead in the sixth minute when Dafydd Thomas shot high into the net from the edge of the box.
However, Bethesda halved the deficit within a minute when Dewi Thomas fired in a shot from the leftside of the penalty area.
Later on in the half, Bethesda came close to equalising when Andy Clarke broke into the right side of the box before firing narrowly wide from a tight angle.
However, a flurry of goals in the last five minutes of the opening period soon meant that the scoreline took on a very different complexion.
In the 41st minute, Thomas scored his second of the afternoon with a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area.
Two minutes before half-time, Bangor 1876 took a 4-1 lead after a shot by Cameron Barry from near the penalty spot struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the line after bouncing off the home side’s keeper.
A minute later, Barry floated a free-kick into the box which resulted in 1876’s fifth goal after Welsh Colleges international Cian Williams controlled the ball and turned to power a shot into the net from the edge of the six-yard box.
In the final seconds of the first half, Petrie dribbled past several players before making the score 6-1 with 1876’s 100th Gwynedd League goal of the season.
Only two minutes after the break, Dylan Summers-Jones scored 1876’s seventh goal with a rightfooted shot from the edge of the box. In the 44th minute, SummersJones turned provider as his neat pass played in Petrie and allowed him to complete his hat-trick as he rounded the goalkeeper.
Bethesda kept going and got a reward for their efforts in the 69th minute when recent signing Ally Issa scored with a looping header after finding space in the penalty area.
With 10 minutes left, 1876 restored their seven-goal lead after Petrie decisively converted a penalty.
In the final minute, Bangor 1876 reached double figures as Matt Lock shot home from six yards after Summers-Jones crossed the ball back into the box from the right wing.
Next up for 1876 is a match away to Menai Bridge in the Bob Owen Shield on Saturday, January 25, (1.30pm kick-off ).
Former Wales and West Ham defender James Collins is bringing his football academy to Bangor for five-to-14-year-olds during halfterm.
It will take place from 10am-3pm on Thursday-Friday, February 20-21 at Treborth playing fields, where 1876 have been playing their home matches this season.
The team of qualified coaches will be led by 1876’s newlyappointed director of football Iwan Williams, who is a UEFA pro licence holder.
To book a place, please go to: jamescollinsfa.com/course/ february-half-term-camp/.