City face Tudno double-header in bid for top six
BANGOR City entertain Llandudno in the first episode of a festive double header on Boxing Day (Monday, 2.30pm).
Ian Dawes’ side then travel to the Giant Hospitality Stadium for a New Year’s Day return against the team formerly managed by Citizens assistant boss Alan Morgan.
City edged nearer a top-six finish by the mid-season split with a narrow 2-1 home win over Airbus UK Broughton last Saturday.
It needed an added-time strike from defender Anthony Miley to clinch three vital points for the hosts, who maintained clear daylight in fourth spot in the Welsh Premier League.
However, Dawes was disappointed with the overall performance against the bottom-place Wingmakers.
The manager paid tribute to keeper Connor Roberts, whose saves ensured the hosts were in a position to pinch the win late on.
“In the first half we started really well and deserved to go 1-0 up,” said Dawes.
“We didn’t go two up when we should have done – had we done that it could have been a different sort of game – but credit to them (Airbus) they worked hard and equalised.
“In the second half weren’t at our best and it was not acceptable.
“However, three points at this or any stage of the season is vital, and we got the winning goal when it mattered.”
The manager added: “I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Connor, as without his performance Airbus would have won the game.”
Roberts was forced into a very early save before Daniel Nardiello powered a header from a Henry Jones cross into the back of the WIngmakers’ net after five minutes.
Nardiello went close with two further headers, while Brayden Shaw struck the bar from 25 yards.
Right on the stroke of the interval Liam O’Neill levelled.
Early in the second half, the Wingmakers’ James Murphy cleared off the line from Leon Clowes.
Airbus’ Ryan Wignall was denied by a goal-line clearance before Ryan Edwards had the ball in the net, only for offside to be called.
Jamie Reed then had another attempt cleared off the line for Bangor, Roberts thwarted Wignall, then Nardiello found the net after 85 minutes, but was adjudged offside.
It came down to virtually the last action of the game, as Miley belted home from a free kick to seal the spoils.
Making his debut for City was well-travelled striker Michael Higdon, who had joined the club two days earlier. Higdon was in the starting line-up but was replaced by Jamie Reed on 68 minutes.
The 33-year-old front man has played for Crewe, Falkirk, St Mir- ren, Motherwell, Sheffield United, Oldham Athletic and Tranmere Rovers in his career, as well as enjoying a productive spell in Holland with NEC Nijmegen in 2013/14.
City manager Dawes is delighted to have secured the services of the Liverpool-born hitman.
“It’s great to have him on board. I’ve known him for many years and his CV speaks for itself,” said Dawes.
“People see him as just a target man, but there is much more to him than that. His record for scoring goals in recent seasons has been fantastic.”