1876 defy Storm Dennis to go through in cup
WITH Storm Dennis proving a menace, many people feared there would ‘Beano’ football this weekend but Bangor 1876 managed to beat the weather and Llanystumdwy, by the score of 5-0, to progress into the next round of the NWCFA Junior Cup, writes JONATHAN ERVINE.
Dennis the Menace hails from a city on the east coast of Scotland, and many fans at Treborth who weren’t wearing full waterproofs were likely to have wondered if they had Dundee right thing due to the wet conditions.
The challenging conditions affected both teams in the opening period, with swirling winds a particular source of difficulty.
During the first half, Bangor 1876 managed to hit both posts as they twice came close to opening the scoring somewhat fortuitously.
On the first occasion, a floated ball into the box from Shaun Lock beat everyone and looked to be heading in before it struck the inside of the post and rolled away to safety.
A cross from Leon Owens also hit the opposite post some minutes later.
However, the Bangor 1876 needed to remain alert as Llanystumdwy sought to counter attack.
On one occasion, an expertly timed challenge from Harry Jones prevented the away side’s Darren Parry from getting in shot as he broke into the penalty area.
A key moment in the game arrived six minutes before halftime. With Shaun Lock about to take a throw-in, the referee noticed an incident in the Llanystumdwy penalty area that resulted in the visitors being reduced to 10 men.
The official sent off Mark Godfrey for violent conduct, indicating that he had elbowed an opponent.
After a goalless opening period, Bangor 1876 returned to the pitch with determination to make their man advantage count and sought to move the ball more rapidly in order to create space.
Their efforts were rewarded within minutes as Owens opened the scoring in the 48th minute with a right-footed shot after he turned on the edge of the six yard box.
Six minutes later, 1876 doubled their advantage after an attempted cross from Shaun Lock found its way past the Llanystumdwy keeper and nestled in the top corner.
It was the left-back’s third goal of the season, bringing him level with Matt Lock and Michael Johnston in the Bangor 1876 scoring charts.
Midway through the second period, Owens scored his second and 1876’s third with the goal of the game.
From 22 yards out, he managed to curl a shot into the top right hand corner to give the visiting goalkeeper no chance.
In the last 10 minutes, Bangor 1876 added two further goals thanks to Cameron Barry.
With eight minutes left, he turned and finished well from seven yards out after the ball was cut back from the right wing by Luke Steele.
With a minute left, Barry scored his second and his team’s fifth from close range after the visitors failed to clear.
The reward for the victory is an away trip to face either Nefyn or Llysfaen in the quarter-final.
Before that, next up is a Gwynedd League match against Bro Goronwy in Moelfre on Saturday, February 22 (2pm kick-off ).