City targeting a double success over Llandudno
BANGOR City will hope to begin 2017 on the same high they ended 2016 when the Citizens aim for a quickfire double over Llandudno on New Year’s Day (Sunday 5.15pm).
Ian Dawes’ side defeated Tudno 2-1 at the Bangor University Stadium on Boxing Day to make it four straight wins, further cementing a top four Welsh Premier position in the process.
“If we perform as well as we can do then we can get a result against anybody,” said the City boss.
After a goal-less first half on Monday, which the hosts dominated for the most part, Tudno took a 65th-minute lead through a hotlydisputed penalty.
Yet that setback seemed to awaken the home side from their slumber with Henry Jones levelling three minutes later before substitute Shaun Cavanagh put away a late winner.
“Over the 90 minutes I felt we deserved to win it,” said Dawes.
“The first 20 minutes of the second half didn’t go too well, but once they (Llandudno) scored the penalty it kick-started us. The penalty helped us more than it helped them.”
Bangor bossed the first 25 minutes, Brayden Shaw’s long range effort missing by inches before the ball fell fortunately for Daniel Nardiello, who was denied by alert keeper Dave Roberts.
Shaw set up Nardiello who blasted over badly from eight yards, then the striker was thwarted by a superb James Joyce tackle.
Tudno’s first chance saw the excellent John Owen tee up Lee Thomas for a shot, but the Seasider dragged his effort wide.
Soon after Lewis Buckley’s cross was met by Owen and Marc Williams’ deflected attempt rolled a fraction wide.
On the half hour Rodrigo Branco found the net for Bangor but the goal was disallowed.
Shaw won the ball in a shoulderto-shoulder challenge by the right touchline, Tudno appealed for a free kick but referee Mark Petch waved play on.
The visitors stopped in their tracks, the ball was worked down the right and suddenly the linesman began flagging furiously.
Branco slotted into an unguarded net, Petch gave the goal but then changed his mind on the advice of his assistant.
Owen went close for the travellers before a fine Dave Roberts reaction save foiled Danny Gosset to round off a goal-less first period.
City went off the boil early in the second half and midway through Anthony Miley put in what appeared to be a perfectly-timed sliding tackle on Owen in the box.
Several seconds passed before Petch pointed to the spot and Thomas converted to make it 1-0.
Leo Riley could have doubled the lead soon after when he capitalised on a City error to race through on goal, but he shot straight at Connor Roberts.
A minute later Bangor levelled when Sam Hart crossed deep from the left and sub Jamie Reed headed down for Jones to fire home.
Thomas could have made it 2-1 Tudno when he burst into the box, but Roberts blocked well at his feet.
The introduction of Cavanagh on 80 minutes for Branco proved key.
Shaw fed a lovely ball to release Cavanagh, who ran into the box and applied a perfect left-foot finish.