City host Met for Euro place
GARY TAYLOR-FLETCHER will warn his Bangor City side to guard against complacency when they host Cardiff Met in the Europa League play-off final at Nantporth this Saturday (5.15pm).
The Citizens looked to be coasting at two up against Newtown in last Saturday’s semi-final, only for the Robins to level before half time – and it took a superb 74th minute Gary Roberts free kick to secure a 3-2 win for the all-blues.
Interim manager Taylor-Fletcher will demand his players keep their foot on the pedal throughout this weekend’s clash with Met, which offers City a place in Europe for the first time since 2014/15.
The Bangor boss said: “We’ll have to make sure that complacency doesn’t creep in like it did after we went two up against Newtown – we know we’re in for a full 90 minutes and a tough game. Cardiff try and play the ball and have a lot of energy, so we’ll need to be wary.”
City have faced the students four times this season and lead by three wins to one.
Last Saturday’s battle with Newtown comprised a thrilling first half and a much more nervy second.
The hosts edged in front in the fifth minute when Dan Nardiello’s cross was headed home in bulletlike fashion by Taylor-Fletcher.
Anthony Miley’s header from a Henry Jones corner clipped the outside of the post before Neil Mitchell missed a golden opportunity for the Robins.
A minute later a long clearance from City keeper Connor Roberts was allowed to make its way through to Nardiello, who nicked the ball past outrushing keeper Dave Jones and into the net.
Luke Boundford volleyed home for Newtown on 19 minutes, before Nardiello somehow headed wide.
In the 26th minute Boundford set up Mitchell to equalise.
Newtown almost took a 31stminute lead when Nick Rushton’s header was brilliantly saved.
At the other end, Gary Roberts was denied by Jones, Taylor-Fletcher’s powerful strike was deflected behind for a corner and Dan Gosset’s header missed by inches.
The second period saw very few chances at either end before Bangor won a disputed free kick on the edge of the box for a challenge on Miley.
Up stepped Roberts, and his 20-yard strike proved unstoppable to the delight of the City fans.