Four-star start to 2024 for Bangor

Over six hundred spectators were present at Nantporth to watch an entertaining New Year's Day encounter between Bangor 1876 and Porthmadog.

Bangor had the first chance inside the opening three minutes after Sam Jones swung in a corner kick from the left. it was headed on by Iolo Hughes towards his fellow centre back Tom Clarke. However, Clarke’s header went just over the bar.

Five minutes later, Bangor took the lead. Cai Powell-Roberts showed neat footwork on the right as he broke into the box and went past several opponents. He played the ball across goal and the onrushing Corrig McGonigle turned it in from close range.

Within a minute, a long ball forward provided Porthmadog with a chance to equalise. Rhys Alun Williams managed to control the ball on the edge of the box but sent his shot narrowly wide of the target.

Danny Brookwell, Porthmadog’s other striker, had a chance just after the quarter hour mark but pulled his shot wide from a tight angle.

With two minutes of the first half left, Bangor came close to doubling their advantage. Cai Powell-Roberts crossed from the right and Porthmadog goalkeeper Alex Ward-Jones did well to push away Corrig McGonigle's goalbound header.

A minute later, Bangor went close twice more in quick succession. After Sam Jones cut the ball back, Joe Sullivan's powerful shot was blocked by a visiting defender and then Corrig McGonigle’s acrobatic effort was well saved by Alex Ward-Jones.

Despite these chances for Bangor, In first half injury time the hosts equalised against the run of play. Danny Brookwell broke into the left side of the box and cut the ball back for Rhys Alun Williams to finish from close range.

HALF-TIME: BANGOR 1876 1-1 PORTHMADOG

In the early stages of the second half, Danny Brookwell had a chance for the visitors but fired wide after breaking into the left side of the penalty area.

Just before the hour mark, Bangor came within inches of taking the lead. Joe Sullivan curled the ball over Ward-Jones from the edge of the box but his shot struck the bar and rebounded to safety.

However, it wasn't long before Bangor regained the advantage. Sam Jones controlled the ball well midway inside the Porthmadog half before striding forward and finding the net with a powerful low shot from 25 yards.

A couple of minutes later, Bangor extended their lead. Corrig McGonigle swung a corner kick to the back post and Tom Clarke scored with a downward header.

After Porthmadog had a free-kick near the Bangor box, Joe Culshaw won the ball inside his own box before finding Corrig McGonigle with an excellent long pass. McGonigle showed his pace to beat his man and break into the box before splitting the ball past the Porthmadog goalkeeper.

It wasn't long before McGonigle was back in the action. He came close to completing his hat-trick with a free-kick that went just over the bar.

Porthmadog continued to press and came close to getting a goal back when Caio Evans broke forward and struck a powerful shot from just inside the area that Carl Jones did well to turn over the bar.

Bangor went in search of further goals as the clock ticked down but had to settle for four as they got off to a winning start in 2024.

FULL TIME: BANGOR 1876 4-1 PORTHMADOG

Our next match is away to Airbus in the league. Please note that this game will now take.place on Friday 5 January at 7.30pm. we will be back at Nantporth for a home game in the league against Chirk on Saturday 13 January that kicks off at 2pm.