1876 win away to Chirk

Gavin Lee Redfern-Jones reports on away league trip.

On a chilly afternoon, Bangor 1876 paid a visit to Holyhead Road, the home of Chirk AAA FC to play a league encounter against the Colliers.

It wasn’t long before newest signing Tom Mahoney was introduced to the following Bangor faithful. The substitute was brought on in the 19th minute in place of Joe Sullivan after the latter fell victim to a late challenge.

Fellow January signing Dale Davies came close to opening the scoring in the 28th minute when he got on the end of a Dan Cox cross at the far post. His header back across the face of goal was handled well by Chirk stopper Jack Edwards.

Bangor keeper Carl Jones was called to action in the move that immediately followed. He reacted well to come off his line and clear the danger with his feet when Chirk attacker James Smallwood was played in on goal through the middle.

Bangor again came close to taking the lead in the 34th minute when Joe Culshaw floated a 30-yard free-kick towards the far post. The ball was met on the run by Mahoney but his header was directed just wide of the right post.

The deadlock was broken in the 42nd minute. A ball from deep by centre-back Iolo Hughes found Davies just inside the right side of the penalty box with his back towards goal. After shielding the ball from a Chirk defender, he played the ball into the path of Cai Powell-Roberts on the underlap. Approaching the byline and with time to pick out a team-mate, he squared the ball towards an unmarked Corrig McGonigle who made no mistake from close range with a first-time finish. Bangor took the lead 1-0.

The lead was almost doubled on the stroke of half-time. After twisting and turning to shake off two Chirk defenders, McGonigle’s curled shot struck the outside of the left post. The ball came back out to Cox who once again picked out Davies with a cross towards the far post, but his header was caught by goalkeeper Edwards who made sure Bangor only went into the half-time break with a slim lead.

HALF-TIME: CHIRK AAA FC 0-1 BANGOR 1876

Another opportunity for Bangor to double the lead came 20 minutes after the restart. Driving through the centre of the pitch, Mason Blackwell-Jones played the ball into the path of Davies to his left. The forward cut back inside to lose his marker but his right-footed shot could only find the gloves of Chirk goalie Edwards. A minute later, McGonigle almost doubled his tally for the day but could only find the crossbar after fending off a challenge from a Chirk defender.

As the game approached the final quarter, Chirk went in search of an equaliser and almost found one when Jack Edwards managed to get a shot off before Bangor goalie Jones could close him down. His effort rolled agonisingly close but wide of the left post.

With 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Bangor went looking for another goal to settle their nerves. Substitute Sam Jones came closest when his deflected effort almost found the top-right corner.

Bangor were able to withstand late pressure from Chirk to hold on to a one-goal lead when referee Conor Charlton-Fleming blew his whistle for full-time. The result meant Bangor 1876 left Chirk with all three points and sees them move up a position in the league standings into 5th place.

FULL-TIME: CHIRK AAA FC 0-1 BANGOR 1876

Our next match sees us on the road again as we’re away to Gresford Athletic at 7.30pm on Friday 2 February. The game will take place at the Rock at the ground’s address is as follows: The Rock, Rock Road, Rhosymedre, Cefn Mawr, LL14 3YG. Please come along to support the team if you can.