Rhyl 0 Bangor City 1

By Webmaster/Rheolwr y Wefan
March 19 2003

Bangor City gained an invaluable three points against a lively Rhyl side which could as easily finished 3-0 to either team.

City were missing influential midfielder and captain Simon Davies through a bout of flu (which had also kept him out on Saturday) and Kenny Burgess through the ankle injury sustained against the less than silky-skilled Nomads.

City lined up with Matthew Parry in goal for Phil Priestly (who watched the drama from the terraces - three/four/five weeks off fitness, apparently) Chris Short, Eifion Jones, Phil Baker and Aled Rowlands accross the back, Owain Tudur Jones, Clayton Blackmore, Ricky Evans and Alan Goodhall midfield and Lee hunt and Marc Lloyd-Willimans up front.

Rhyl were without the long term injured Martyn Chalk and Steve Walters.

The first 20 minutes or so could've seen City 2-0 up with both Lee Hunt and Jiws hitting shots narowlly wide. Rhyl then made their own precense felt and but for a tremendous save by Matt Parry could've gone in at half time a goal up. (Plus a Bretty-esque goal line clearance by Chris Short - player of the season so far!)

The second half followed a very similar pattern with both keepers called upon to keep the score at 0-0.

The breakthrough eventually came after Lee hunt initial shot was well saved by Paul Smith, the ball broke to Jiws whose effort was somehow batted away by Smith before the tireless Hunt chased down the ball which seemed destined to go out and calmly slotted it under Smith from the acutest of angles.

85 minutes gone and at last the nervous, and strangley quiet, City fans had something to celebrate! The relief was tangible and although Rhyl came back strongly for the final few minutes, City held on to what will be seen as a crucial victory for their Championship push.

Official attendence was 458 and at half time the coin toss decided the venue for the League Cup final - Belle Vue - which delighted the travelling supporters who can now look forward to a Jolly Boy's Outing on May 3rd.

Match report by Livzy

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