DRUIDS VISIT A CRUCIAL GAME FOR THE BLUES
BANGOR City manager Neville Powell believes his team are heading in the right direction to accomplish a difficult escape act
n Friday night the Citizens are home to Cefn Druids in a game vital to their Welsh Premier survival prospects (7.45pm).
Next-bottom City can cut the gap on Druids, the team immediately above them, to five points with victory at The Book People Stadium, but any other result will leave Powell’s charges in a more precarious position than ever.
“It’s a massive game, a must-win game,” said the Bangor boss ahead of the six-pointer.
“I think we’re heading in the right direction. Druids are a difficult team to beat, but in our current vein of form we should be good enough to get the result we need.”
City’s 3-0 Welsh Cup win over Conwy Borough last Saturday followed away draws at Druids and Carmarthen Town, which suggests the all-Blues may have turned the corner in what has proved their worst season statistically since entering the WPL 23 years ago.
Bala Town are the only team to defeat the three-time WPL champions in their last eight matches.
“The new players have certainly played a part,” said Powell, when asked about the recent revival.
“Callum Morris, Liam Caddick, Connor Roberts and Lee Healey have all done well since they joined us and have had a positive effect on the other players.”
After the visit of Druids comes a trip to gap Connah’s Quay and then a home meeting with bottom side Prestatyn.
These are three huge matches from which the Citizens must be looking to collect at least seven points from.
“If we can get the results we need from these next three games, the table will start to look a lot better for us,” added Powell.
City lost 1-0 at home to Cefn earlier in the campaign before earning a 2-2 draw at The Rock three weeks ago
Meanwhile, Powell was delighted with last Saturday’s display at Nantporth which saw his team progress to the Welsh Cup quarters by beating Huws Gray Alliance Conwy.
Les Davies broke the deadlock just before half time and added another in the second period with Morris netting one in between.
The result earned Bangor a home tie against Caersws or Newtown in the last eight on the weekend of March 6-8.
“It was a good, professional performance,” said the manager.
“Conwy had a few chances and proved they.were a strong side, but I felt we were always a step ahead.
“We scored goals at the right times and also very pleasing was the fact we kept a clean sheet.”
Powell added: “We had Lee Hea-
Pic: RICHARD BIRCH ley cup-tied, but we were able to field a strong side and had a really good bench, which was really pleasing.
“When you can bring on players of the quality of Chris Jones, Chris Roberts, Jamie Petrie and Anthony Miley, it shows that things are looking better.”
Connor Roberts, Declan Walker, Sam Hart, Michael Johnston, Ryan Edwards, Leon Clowes, Callum Morris, Damien Allen, Liam Caddick (Chris Roberts 83), Les Davies, Sion Edwards (Chris Jones 72). Anthony Miley, Jamie Petrie, Gethin Roberts.