Reds shine at Bangor
WITH a much-improved fourth place assured heading into the final weekend of the Welsh Premier first phase, Bangor City will aim to sign off with a bang this Saturday when they visit bottom side Airbus UK Broughton (5.15pm).
The Citizens have won their last three clashes against the Wingmakers, including a narrow 2-1 success at the Bangor University Stadium last month.
Bangor have claimed nine league points out of a possible 15 since Ian Dawes took over as first team manager in November, as well as progressing to the last 16 of the Welsh Cup.
There is plenty of cause for optimism in the City ranks heading into phase two where European qualification is the major target.
Transfer window activity at Nantporth to date has included long-serving Sion Edwards and young talent Sion Bradley departing on loan to Rhyl and Porthmadog respectively, while Oscar Durnin has been released.
City have signed the versatile Jack Metcalf, who has played much of his recent football in the USA, and veteran defender Paul Connolly, making his recent loan deal at Bangor from Airbus a permanent arrangement.
Perhaps the biggest news is Edwards’ switch to arch-rivals Rhyl after 10 years with the Citizens.
The skillful left winger signed for City in the summer of 2006 having gained experience on Wrexham’s books.
A firm crowd favourite at the Bangor University Stadium, local boy Edwards was a member of the 2010/11 WPL championship side and also has three Welsh Cup winners’ medals to his credit.
Edwards was rewarded for his service to the club with a testimonial match in August 2016. He is City’s record appearance maker in the WPL having played in 308 matches and netting 58 goals.
The popular wide man has been restricted to just five league starts for Bangor this season scoring once.
Last week saw a record Nantporth crowd of 2,006 witness Bangor get beaten 6-0 by a lively Liverpool Under-23s outfit in a glamour friendly.
Pool broke through on 14 minutes when Paolo Alves played a neat pass into Wrexham-born Harry Wilson, who finished smartly past keeper Connor Roberts.
The visitors went two-up after 38 minutes when Matty Virtue’s shot was kept out by Roberts but Toni Gomes converted the rebound.
City’s only on-target effort saw a Brayden Shaw free kick comfortably held by Kamil Grabara close to the interval.
It was all Liverpool again in the second half but they did not add to their score until 17 minutes from time when Virtue crossed from the right and sub Jack Dunn applied a deadly finish.
Dunn added two more for a 10-minute hat-trick and Wilson notched his second from a rebound after his penalty was saved.