LIKE THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF FARRAR RD
Manager Powell hails the crowd’s roar as...
City victorious in 4-3 thriller against Rhyl
BANGOR City manager Neville Powell likened the atmosphere at the end of last Friday’s last-gasp 4-3 victory over Rhyl at Nantporth to the club’s Farrar Road heyday.
City trailed three times to the Lilywhites but a Steve Lewis hattrick, which included a fantastic injury-time winner, sealed the home side a third straight league success at the Bangor University Stadium.
The club moved from Farrar Road at the end of 2011 and it has often been claimed their new home lacks the aura of their previous ground of 91 years.
Yet the noise created when Lewis plundered that late decider reminded Powell, a former player and manager at Ffordd Farrar, of the good old days.
“To win a local derby is always special and the atmosphere was amazing. It was like being back at Farrar Road in that last five minutes,” he said.
Rhyl were content to sit deep as the hosts tried to pile on early pressure, but the Lilywhites defended well and took a 26th minute lead.
A speculative free kick sent into the box saw Adam Cummins fire an attempted clearance against teammate Leon Clowes and the ball ended up in the net for a bizarre own goal.
The visitors could have added to their score, Connor Roberts producing a superb save from a Dean Keates free kick.
City’s only serious effort of the first half saw Terry McCormick brilliantly keep out a Declan Walker piledriver.
Bangor, with the wind behind them, began the second half well and levelled in the 55th minute.
Ryan Edwards’ pass forced Chris Jones wide, but the attacker did well to keep the ball in play and cross into the six-yard box where Lewis controlled and fired home.
Four minutes later Rhyl were back in front when David Mannix chipped into the penalty area and Stephen Wright rose above Walker to net with a looping header.
The all-blues rallied and the visitors were indebted to McCormick when he pushed out a Sion Edwards strike and then foiled Lewis from the follow-up.
However, in the 68th minute it was all-square again when McCormick failed to hold Damien Allen’s 20-yard shot and substitute Porya Ahmadi stabbed in the rebound.
Rhyl went ahead for a third time when John Owen crossed low for Levi Mackin to bundle in.
The drama was far from over with Miley heading wide from a great position before in the 89th minute Wright clattered Ahmadi in the box - penalty.
Lewis confidently scored from the spot to set up a frantic finish.
Rhyl were attacking when a mis- directed header from Rob Hughes allowed Lewis to latch onto the ball and despite being under pressure, “The Beast” chipped McCormick with the most exquisite of efforts to win the game.
Powell said: “We don’t do things easy. It was a cracking second half and while disappointed at the goals we conceded, the way we went behind three times and came back to win says so much about the character of the players.”
City, who are without a game this weekend due to their Welsh Cup exit, are now 13 points clear of the relegation zone.