Giant-killers 1876 celebrate shock cup win
BANGOR 1876 clinched a big upset in the first round of the Welsh Cup as they beat Welsh National League Premier Division side Penycae in a penalty shoot-out after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
The phoenix club’s reward is another home clash against Cymru North side Ruthin Town.
In a game that started at a blistering pace, Welsh National League Premier Division visitors Penycae went ahead in the third minute, as Anthony Dunleavy managed to power a shot past Leon Jones.
From the restart, Les Davies raced into the penalty area, before being bundled over and Jamie Petrie slotted the penalty home and all was level once again.
As the second half progressed, the visitors went close through Leighton Kendrick and Dunleavy, but both chances went wide.
With 77 minutes played, Dunleavy added his second of the afternoon by curling a shot from the edge of the area beyond goalkeeper Leon Jones’ outstretched grasp to edge Penycae in front.
With the 90 minutes up and the match entering the third minute of added time, 1876 forced a corner and Cameron Barry’s delivery into the area was met by Matthew Lock and the defender sent the home fans and his team-mates into a frenzy with an equaliser from the proverbial last kick of the match.
Extra time started at a frantic pace. Penycae substitute Evan Woodall had a chance to restore his side’s lead, only for Jones to deny him with a smart save. However, Woodall made amends less than two minutes later, as he managed to ghost behind the defence before slotting past Jones.
The final 15 minutes of the match continued at a rapid pace and a long through ball found Petrie through on goal.
Bangor 1876’s leading goalscorer lifted the ball above Penycae keeper Belton, only to find his shot blocked by a hand which resulted in referee Smallman pointing to the spot.
Up stepped Petrie to bury his second penalty of the day to level the scores at 3-3.
Bangor 1876 skipper Michael Johnston was first up in the penalty shoot-out but his spot kick crashed against the Penycae crossbar. Jones then guessed correctly to brilliantly save Woodall’s spot kick low to his right to keep the score at 0-0.
Second half substitute Shaun Lock struck 1876’s second penalty with plenty of force only to see it hit the foot of Belton’s left hand post.
Penycae’s Thomas Edwards made no mistake with his penalty, sending Jones the wrong way to fire the visitors ahead 0-1.
Les Davies had the task of going third for Bangor, and made no mistake opting for power and firing straight down the middle.
However, Penycae substitute Jack Brindley restored the visitors’ advantage firing into the top right hand corner to make it 1-2.
Dylan Williams was next for 1876 and he fired into the bottom left hand corner despite Belton guessing correctly. Penycae right back Calyn Spencer then blazed wide to keep the score even at 2-2.
With sudden death looming, the ever reliable Petrie then netted to put the hosts ahead for the first time in the match. Dunleavy stepped up for a must-score spotkick, but he rattled the crossbar to spark the celebrations.