1876 cruise through to cup semi-finals
BANGOR 1876 progressed to the semi-finals of the North Wales Coast FA Junior Cup after a 5-0 win at Llysfaen’s Banana Pitch, writes JONATHAN ERVINE.
The first half was a fairly even contest during which Bangor 1876 managed to create several chances.
The best of these fell to Cameron Barry, who shot over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.
The hosts almost came close with an unexpected shot from a long range free-kick.
Six minutes from the interval, 1876 took the lead and it was Shaun Lock who was the key man.
The left-back’s long throw-in led to a scramble in the Llysfaen penalty area, and Dafydd Thomas appeared to get the final touch in order to ensure that Bangor 1876 were a goal in front at the break.
The second half was a more lively affair than the first, and featured seven yellow cards, two red cards, a penalty kick, and four goals. Dafydd Thomas doubled 1876’s lead with his second goal of the afternoon in the 58th minute, heading in another long throw-in from Shaun Lock.
Lock completed a hat-trick of assists from long throw-ins in the 71st minute when Llysfaen defender Alec Jones scored an unfortunate own-goal after his header looped over home goalkeeper Cain Folly.
The game then went into something of a lull before re-igniting in an action-packed final 10 minutes.
Llysfaen almost reduced the deficit with eight minutes left when Joshua Williams headed narrowly over the bar following a free-kick.
The home team were reduced to 10 men when Jordan Russell received his second yellow card of the afternoon and was sent off.
Shortly after Bangor 1876 were awarded a penalty following a foul on Dylan Williams, Sean Sheridan received a straight red card.
Jamie Petrie calmly converted the spot kick to give 1876 a fourgoal lead with four minutes left.
With only a minute left on the clock, Shaun Lock crowned a fine performance with the goal of the game.
After moving forward on the right side of the field, he unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the net from 25 yards and made the score 5-0 to Bangor 1876.
In the semi-finals of the Junior Cup, 1876 will play at home to Llansannan on Saturday, April 4.
Before then, 1876 have a local derby coming up on Saturday March 14, when they make the short trip to Menai Bridge for a Gwynedd League game that kicks off at 2pm.
It will be followed by a match at home to Trearddur Bay on Friday, March 20 that starts at 7pm.
Bangor 1876 right-back Jamie Thomas represented Welsh Schools during February in the Roma Caput
Pic: CPD Bangor 1876/Dafydd Hughes
Mundi Tournament in Italy where he and his team-mates played against Moldova, Italy and England.
The team won 1-0 against England but lost 2-1 against Moldova.
Thomas scored in a 3-2 defeat against hosts Italy, heading in at the back post following a free-kick.
He has said “representing my country in Italy was a great honour and an amazing feeling”.
He added that “it was a great experience to play at international level, and hopefully I’ll get another opportunity to represent Welsh Schools”.