1876 score four at Y Traeth

Porthmadog and Bangor played out an entertaining Boxing Day fixture at Y Traeth in front of over 700 fans that saw the visitors end 2023 with an away victory.

Inside the first two minutes, it was the hosts who had the first shot at goal. Danny Brookwell cut inside from the right but his shot was saved by Carl Jones.

Following a corner in the thirteenth minute, Bangor came close to opening the scoring. After taking the flag kick from the right, Corrig McGonigle received the ball back, cut inside and struck a powerful shot that Porthmadog goalkeeper Alex Ward-Jones turned over the bar.

After eighteen minutes, Bangor took the lead. Ward-Jones came out of his goal to try clear the ball but struck it against Corrig McGonigle. This left the prolific striker with the simple task of rolling the ball into the empty net.

The hosts went in search of a quick response and came close to a rapid equaliser. Danny Brookwell showed some neat footwork on the right side of the penalty area to create space to shoot, but pulled his effort across the goal and wide of the far post.

The hosts had another chance just after the half hour mark when Porthmadog captain Cai Jones played a one-two before shooting over the bar from just inside the penalty area.

Almost immediately afterwards a quick counter attack by Bangor almost doubled their lead. Mason Blackwell-Jones and Corrig McGonigle linked up well on the right but Sam Jones shot narrowly wide when the ball reached him on the left side of the penalty area.

A few minutes before the interval, Porthmadog came close to levelling the score. Danny Brookwell seemed to slightly miscue a shot across goal from the edge of the box but his effort narrowly eluded Sion Cavanagh as the attacker ran in at the back post.

HALF-TIME: PORTHMADOG 0-1 BANGOR 1876

In the opening moments of the second period, Bangor came close to doubling their lead. Ward-Jones miscued an attempted clearance but managed to recover to block Corrig McGonigle’s follow-up.

With fifty minutes on the clock, Bangor doubled their advantage. Cai Powell-Roberts Roberts crossed to the back post where Sam Jones controlled well before scoring with a powerful low shot.

Porthmadog came close to reducing the deficit shortly afterwards when Danny Brookwell created space twenty yards out. However, Carl Jones did well to tip his powerful shot over the bar.

The hosts then threatened again when half-time substitute Tom Mahoney played the ball through to Morgan Owen, but Carl Jones saved well at his near post.

With twenty minutes left, Bangor extended their advantage. After Porthmadog had initially cleared a corner, Iolo Hughes won the ball back and sent in

The hosts tried to respond rapidly and broke into a threatening position on the left side of the penalty area. However, a combination of Cai Powell-Roberts and Carl Jones managed to keep out Danny Brookwell. Shortly afterwards, Rhys Alun had a chance from a similar position but his shot was saved by Carl Jones.

As the clock ticked down, the game continued at a frenetic rhythm but with fewer chances for either side than there had been in the earlier stages of the half.

In injury time, Bangor added a fourth. Ward-Jones again struggled to clear the ball with his feet and presented Mason Blackwell-Jones with a chance to shoot. Although his initial effort was cleared, substitute Cameron Barry was on hand to turn in the rebound and add further gloss to the scoreline.

FULL TIME: PORTHMADOG 0-4 BANGOR 1876

In our next match, we welcome Porthmadog to Nantporth for the return league match. It takes place on Monday 1 January. Please note that it will kick off at the earlier time of 2pm.