Citizens make it a NorthWales quartet in Europe next term
BANGOR CITY joined The New Saints, Bala and Connah’s Quay in Europe following a 1-0 play-off final victory over the gallant students of Cardiff Met.
In front of a bumper crowd at the Bangor University Stadium, the Citizens edged their success following a dominant first half performance although the Cyncoed youngsters controlled the second period but lacked penetration in the final third.
It was a personal triumph for player manager Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who had scored and triumphed seven years ago in the Championship play-off final for Blackpool against Cardiff City.
The veteran play-maker orchestrated the opening 45 minutes and his delightful footwork enabled him to run behind the visitors defence and lay on an easy finish for Dean Rittenberg.
The striker, who was celebrating his 21st birthday, only came into the side as a replacement for former Welsh international Daniel Nardiello, who was unavailable and it was only his third goal of the campaign, all scored against the students.
Met keeper Will Fuller kept the visitors afloat with several fine first half saves, but it was role reversal after the break, the students piling on the pressure and they were denied by the referee who rightly ruled hand ball after Adam Roscrow swivelled and thrashed the ball into the net.
Taylor-Fletcher reflected: “We really had to dig in today and we were holding on at the end. But we’re back in Europe where we wanted to be.
“They had the fitness, we had the quality. I’m overwhelmed and it’s great for our fans who were magnificent as always.
“I’m looking forward to us moving forward again next season.”
Disappointed Met boss Dr Christian Edwards said: “They just had that little extra quality but I can’t fault my players. At the start of the season our aim was to stay in the league.
We lost our first six matches, but finished in the top six and have pulled through.
“Some of these lads have examinations next week, but we are only losing a few of them in the summer, so we will come back stronger next season. They are a great bunch of lads to work with.”