Bangor aiming to build on fine form

IN the race for second spot in the Welsh Premier, Bangor City hope to take advantage of Connah’s Quay and Bala sharing a 1-1 draw on Thursday as they start the second phase of 10 matches with a home clash with Cardiff Met.

The Citizens have strengthened in the January transfer window, with the surprise addition of The New Saints striker Alex Darlington, and manager Kevin Nicholson is encouraged by his side’s first-phase showing.

“We are really pleased with the way things have gone so far and we are in a better situation than this time last year,” said Nicholson.

“Last season we were 28 points adrift of TNS after 22 matches and we have halved that to 14 at the same stage this campaign.

“The players have been fantastic and responded to all our ideas. The standard of the league has improved greatly, but we have shown we can beat the top teams and we are looking to start the next stage with victory over Cardiff Met.

“They are the only team who have beaten us twice in phase one and we have something to prove.

“They have only won twice in the last nine games and we have lost just twice in the last nine matches. We want to start well as we want to qualify for Europe automatically,” he added.

The battle at the other end of the table, to avoid relegation, sees a vital opening secondphase encounter today as Carmarthen Town, 10 points from safety, meet Prestatyn who are seven points adrift of thirdbottom Aberystwyth.

The Seasiders have drifted into the danger area on the back of seven successive defeats. Gareth Wilson has stepped up into the Prestatyn hot-seat following the departure of Neil Gibson to Connah’s Quay and he could hardly have a more important start.

Wilson praised his predecessor, saying: “Neil has done a fantastic job over 14 years, but I’m proud to be asked to take over. I’m also delighted that Steve Rogers has come on board as my assistant as he has a wealth of knowledge of Welsh Premier football.”

Barry Town United have added experienced midfielder Jonathan Hood to their squad ahead of the visit of Aberystwyth while, in the remaining match, Newtown host Llandudno who only lost out to Cefn Druids in their last match, in the race for the final spot in the top six.