TUESDAY 6 November 2007
FAW Premier Cup Round 2
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TUESDAY 6 November 2007 FAW Premier Cup Round 2 |
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| County ensured a minimum pay-out of £15,000 from this season’s competition from a place in the quarter-final, with the guarantee of a home draw against either Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham or The New Saints.
There was no doubt that the victory was deserved on the balance of play but it was difficult not to sympathise with Bangor who gave a very good account of themselves and were within seconds of taking the tie into extra time. County created plenty of chances but Bangor had a few of their own in a low key game in which play swung from end to end. The Principality Building Society Welsh Premier League side, like most others from that competition who have visited Spytty, were well-prepared and the match was played in a very good spirit for which the match officials all deserve credit.
County were first to show with a slick moving attack in which Charlie Griffin showed a deft piece of skill to set up Lee Fowler who forced a diving save from Paul Smith. However, on nine minutes, City produced the first of several threats from corners when Lee Webber found space but headed over the bar. Mike Johnston and Les Davies did likewise from further first half flag kicks, while Webber was closest on the stroke of half-time when Glyn Thompson pushed his header onto the crossbar before it was scrambled away.
There were glimpses of County’s attacking potential though from open play which should have provided interval lead. Richard Evans, whose form has been impressive of late, was inches off target when set up by Craig Hughes on 24 minutes, while Griffin had a header cleared off the line by a well placed Johnston and another header, this time from Hughes was desperately close.
County turned striking the post or crossbar into an art form in the second half with four efforts hitting the frame of the goal with Smith beaten, the first from Fowler on 52 minutes rebounded from the inside of the upright. Evans struck metal on 56 minutes and Damon Searle suffered the same fate after a fine move on 65 minutes. Bangor had their moments on the break with the long range shooting of Christian Seargeant always a threat, though Thompson was his usual assured self in goal.
The game’s best move on 73 minutes almost produced a goal for Evans but this time it was the crossbar that was rattled by the dangerous winger. It was impossible to tell from distance whether Smith was proud to be given the credit for a save when a corner was awarded, but video evidence suggested he did not get a touch on the shot.
Peter Beadle decided to change the style by sending on Julian Alsop and the big man posed problems immediately with his aerial presence. He was a pivotal figure in the game’s deciding moment which followed more good work from Evans who found Searle on the left. The full-back’s angled cross was met by Jules who in turn picked out GRIFFIN and County’s top scorer showed an ace marksman’s touch to turn and shoot past Smith for his eighth goal of the season.
Man of the Match: County: Damon Searle (solid in defence and attacked well). City: Christian Seargeant (superb long range shooting). Special Mention: The Bangor fans who gave their side excellent support and then faced a four hour journey back to Gwynedd. |
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© Colin Jeremiah |
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