Winning start for 1876 in Tier 2

On a sunny afternoon, Bangor made a bright start and created several earlier opportunities as they sought to make a positive start to life in the JD Cymru North.

Inside the opening minute, Sam Jones broke down the right and his cross reached fellow Anglesey attacker Liam Morris at the back post. However, the effort from Morris hit the side net and he was flagged offside.

The same combination linked up again after ten minutes. The initial header from Morris was blocked before he sent the rebound over the bar. Corrig McGonigle was next to try his luck inside the box but his effort from close range was saved by Llanidloes goalkeeper Luke Evans.

Just before the twenty minute mark, Liam Morris came within inches of breaking the deadlock after breaking into the left side of the box. However, his low shot across goal narrowly missed the target.

Midway through the opening period, Bangor finally opened the scoring. A neat pass from Liam Morris found Corrig McGonigle on the left side of the box and he calmly slotted past Evans. A visiting defender valiantly tried to keep the ball out but to no avail as 1876 opened their account in tier 2.

By the time twenty five minutes were on the clock, Sam Jones made doubled the advantage when he got on the end of a neat pass before rounding the keeper and rolling the ball into the net.

Within a minute, Bangor came within inches of adding a third. Following a quick free-kick, Corrig McGonigle played the ball across the box to Craig Whelan. But the midfielder's shot missed by target by the narrowest of margins.

Just before the half hour mark, Bangor scored a third. A cross by Sion Edwards from the left reached the head of Corey Jones, whose effort struck the crossbar. The ball bounced down and hit the unfortunate Drew Reynolds and rolled over the line for an own goal.

Within a minute, Corrig McGonigle had a great chance to make it four when he broke into the box and showed some nest footwork to get past his marker. As he looked to find the net, he was denied by an excellent save from Evans.

Visitors Llanidloes sought a way back into the game and a shot from the right of the penalty area by Connor Bird was saved by Huw Shaw in first half injury time. There were no further goals in the opening period as Bangor went in three goals up at the break.

HALF-TIME: BANGOR 1876 3-0 LLANIDLOES TOWN

Bangor sought to continue where they left of after interval. Just over a minute after the restart, a neat pass from Sion Edwards found Corrig McGonigle on the left side of the box but he pulled his effort just wide of the far post.

At the other end, Llanidloes had a chance when Jamie Breese broke into the left side of the penalty area. He sought to square the ball to has strike partner Connor Bird but Iolo Hughes got back to cut out the pass.

After a period when it seemed like the game had settled into a lull, Bangor found the net again. Corrig McGonigle scored his second of the afternoon direct from a 25 yard free-kick.

Within minutes, McGonigle almost completed his hat trick with a header following a corner but Evans did well to repel his attempt. Sam Jones then shot over from the rebound.

Llanidloes continued to search for a goal of their own and went close when Mason Jones fired in a shot from just outside the penalty area. Immediately afterwards, Bangor had a chance but Evans did well to as save Craig Whelan's header from Sam Jones's cross.

With twelve minutes left, Corrig McGonigle completed his hat trick with a shot from the edge of the penalty area that went in off the post. He then received a well deserved round of applause as he was replaced by Cameron Barry.

Inside the last ten minutes, Llanidloes had a chance following a free-kick but Dewi Allen side-footed the ball narrowly wide after Shaw saved from Bird.

With five minutes left, Bangor added a sixth goal. Harry Galeotti broke into the right side of the box and his powerful shot took a slight deflection on the way into the net.

Shortly afterwards, Llanidloes came within inches of getting on the scoresheet. Jamie Breese cut in from the left and struck the crossbar with a swerving shot. Shaw saved from Bird in what turned out to be the final move of the game as Bangor began life in Tier 2 in style.

FULL-TIME: BANGOR 1876 6-0 LLANIDLOES TOWN

Our next game is at 2.30pm on Saturday 5 August when we welcome Gresford Athletic in the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup. On Tuesday 8 August, we face Llandudno at 7.30pm in an away league match that will now be played in Conwy. We will then host Denbigh Town in the league at Nantporth in a game that kicks off at 2.30pm on Saturday 12 August.