Citizens aim to ground Airmen on home patch
BANGOR City aim to get their bid to secure a top six Welsh Premier place back on target when they host bottom side Airbus this Saturday (2.30pm).
After winning six of their opening eight WPL matches at the Bangor University Stadium, the Citizens came unstuck last month when losing 2-1 to visitors Carmarthen Town in their first game under new manager Ian Dawes.
However, Dawes broke his duck as the second attempt last weekend when the all-Blues won 2-0 at Ton Pentre in the Welsh Cup to set up a last 16 tie at home to Goytre at the end of January.
With involvement in the national knockout assured in 2017, City now have Airbus this Saturday, Llandudno home and away, and must travel to Aberystwyth and the Wingmakers before the first phase of the season ends on 22 games in mid-January.
The objective is a spot in the tophalf of the table to boost their chances of qualifying for Europe in phase two of 2016/17 campaign from February onwards.
City did well to overcome a tricky Welsh Cup assignment on a treacherous pitch at Ton Pentre last Saturday.
The Welsh League Division One underdogs put up a good show and had they taken their chances at key times it could have been a different story, but overall the Welsh Premier visitors dominated, hitting the woodwork three times as well as scoring twice.
Dawes said: “I was really pleased with the performance. One look at the pitch and we realised it would be more of a mental game than a technical or tactical game.
“We got stronger as the game went on and overall the lads did a fantastic job.”
In round four City entertain Welsh League leaders Goytre, who won 2-0 away to Llandudno at the previous stage.
The first half at Ynys Park was pretty even, Only a magnificent block by Citizens defender Anthony Miley thwarted a goalbound Sam Small effort early on.
Damien Allen and Jamie Reed had firm but straight efforts kept out by Rhondda Bulldogs keeper Joe Massaro who was then relieved to pounce on a Miley connection with a Henry Jones cross.
In the 41st minute the hosts should have taken the lead when Leon Jacka’s curled effort came back off the post and Liam Reed looked certain to convert the rebound but blasted over.
Pentre paid the price when in first half added time, a cross to the back post from Gary Roberts was headed in by Brayden Shaw.
Ton had early opportunities after the break, Jacka blasting over from an angle before Corey Shephard’s low drive was brilliantly grasped by keeper Connor Roberts. Pic: Richard Birch
From there it was all Bangor, substitute Daniel Nardiello striking the bar with a back stick effort before Reed’s back-header was well saved by Massaro.
In the 71st minute Shaw’s deep cross was controlled by Reed whose shot was smothered by Massaro, but the ball ran to Jones who found the empty net.
Nardiello’s close range header was brilliantly kept out before the same player nodded against the bar from a corner.
Seconds later Reed turned majestically in the box but also smacked the goal frame.