Nev: Reasons to be positive
BANGOR City manager Neville Powell saw plenty of signs in last Friday’s friendly against Wrexham that he has the makings of a good squad for the season ahead.
Fielding a number of new signings and potential recruits, Powell’s men held the National League North visitors to a 1-1 draw at the Bangor University Stadium.
“It was an excellent runout and we’re very grateful to Wrexham for sending a strong side over,” said the Citizens boss. “We’ve only been back 10 days, had three sessions and that was our first game, but I thought the fitness levels of the players was good.
“We started really brightly; obviously Wrexham had a lot of possession which we knew they’d have, but it was a good workout for us to stop them playing, which I thought we did.
“As the game went on we grew into it. We’ve got new players that have only just met each other who realise they’ve got to bed in pretty quickly, but they’re experienced enough to do that and what I saw tonight bodes well for the season.”
Bangor started brightly but the visitors created the first meaningful attempt as John Rooney drove a low effort which keeper Connor Roberts dealt with comfortably.
City’s first chance came from a set-piece when trialist defender Jacques Kpohomouh saw his looping header land on top of Shwan Jalal’s crossbar from a corner.
Shortly after the 20-minute mark, Wrexham took the lead. Intercepting a misplaced pass on the edge of the City penalty area, Anthony Barry rifled an unstoppable effort into the top right hand corner.
The goal lifted the visitors, Rooney forcing a fine Roberts save.
City once again started the second half on the front foot and pushed for an equaliser.
In the 67th minute substitute Rio Ahmadi pounced on an ill-advised back pass and subsequent error by keeper Jalal to coolly slot home.
Wrexham substitute Jordan White was denied twice by a stunning double save from Roberts before replacement Dragons keeper Kieran Wolland did well to hold Shaun Cavanagh’s low free-kick.
Ahmadi almost made it 2-1 but his glancing header from a flag-kick agonisingly flashed across the face of goal late on.
Bangor’s next opponents are Colwyn Bay on Tuesday, July 19, (7.45pm).