Unbeaten run remains – P62 CITY TARGET A RARE VICTORY OVER CHAMPS
BANGOR City face the unenviable task of trying to end a sequence of 12 straight league defeats against the champions when they travel to The New Saints this Friday.
Not since November 2011, when then Welsh Premier title-holders City triumphed 4-3 at Park Hall, have Neville Powell’s side managed a point against the full-timers.
Bangor did enjoy a notable success over Craig Harrison’s men in the 2012/13 Welsh Cup semis, but the run of league losses to Saints stretches back almost four years.
The Citizens make the journey to Oswestry in better shape than 12 months ago, currently having seven points in the bank as opposed to just two this time last term.
Nonetheless, they still face a huge task against the record ninetime champions, who top the table on goal difference and are unbeaten in seven outings.
Bangor will have striker Porya Ahmadi back in contention following a one-match suspension which ruled him out of last weekend’s 3-2 home defeat to Aberystwyth Town.
Defender Matty Woodward will need a fitness check after coming off at half time with a groin strain in the Aber game.
Manager Powell said: “We were disappointed to get nothing out of the game because the lads worked their socks off and came up short.
“We were punished by a couple of refereeing decisions and a couple of goals on the break, which Aberystwyth are good at.”
Aber took a 20th-minute lead when Craig Williams surged down the left flank and delivered a peach of a cross which Darren Thomas flick-headed into the net.
Two minutes later a magnificent free kick from Sam Hart levelled it.
On 27 minutes a corner from the right was fired home by defender Leon Clowes to make it 2-1 to Bangor.
Chris Jones and Damien Allen went close for the Citizens before a contentious equaliser arrived in the 42nd minute.
Geoff Kellaway sent over a deep cross from the right and there were claims the ball went out of play before Chris Venables headed it back across goal for Ross Stephens to make it all-square.
Town stopper Mike Lewis saved well from Christian Langos before the interval.
In the 59th minute Stuart Jones headed down to former City striker Jamie Reed, and his instinctive shot went under Connor Roberts to put the visitors ahead again.
Chances fell at both ends in the final half-hour, Lewis denying Jones and Allen again before the final whistle blew on a close-fought Aber victory.
Powell added: “At this standard the gap between losing and winning is so small. The lads did enough to get something. We were
Pic: Richard Birch 2-1 up and it could have been a few more in the first half; we played really well and made a few chances.
“They (Aber) got a fortunate goal (at 2-1) where the players in the dressing room are adamant the ball was two yards out (before Ross Stephens scored) and the linesman didn’t see it.
“They scored and that probably lifted them a bit for the second half.
“We’re due a few good refereeing decisions to go our way because at the minute we seem to be on the back end of them all.”