1876 win away to Gresford

Within the first five minutes it was the hosts who had the first chance. Haci Ozlu broke down the right and sent in a cross towards Dominic Deacon, but the attacker’s header went wide of the far post.

At the other end, Tom Mahoney created a chance for himself when he cut in from the right but home goalkeeper Lewis Dutton held his curling shot from just outside the penalty area.

Bangor soon had another chance when Cai Powell-Roberts crossed towards Corrig McGonigle. McGonigle appeared to be pulled back by a home defender. Mason Blackwell-Jones then fired the loose ball into the net from the edge of the box. However, the referee disallowed the goal and gave a foul against the Bangor attacker.

In the minutes that followed, Bangor continued to create chances. Sam Jones headed narrowly wide and then Corrig McGonigle had a shot on the turn that was saved by Dutton.

With 25 minutes gone, Bangor had a chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot. McGonigle was pushed over in the box and then stepped up to send Dutton the wrong way from twelve yards.

Bangor continued to press with Cai Powell-Roberts regularly posing a threat on the right wing. Inside the final ten minutes of the half, a Corrig McGonigle corner reached Tom Clarke at the back post but the defender's header went over the bar.

HALF-TIME: GRESFORD ATHLETIC 0-1 BANGOR 1876

The hosts made a lively start after the break and drew level in the 49th minute. Haci Ozlu cut in from the right and found the net with a low left foot shot.

Bangor came close to regaining the lead shortly afterwards following a corner but Gresford managed to clear the ball after a goalmouth scramble.

After 65 minutes Bangor found themselves back in front. After a neat exchange of passes on the left between Dale Davies and Tom Mahoney, Sam Jones broke into the left side of the box. He fired in a low cross that was side-footed in at the back post by Corrig McGonigle.

Four minutes later, Bangor extended their advantage. Tom Mahoney cut in from the right and sent in a powerful curling shot that Dutton parried up into the air. Mason Blackwell-Jones followed the ball in and converted the rebound from a tight angle.

Gresford sought a way back into the game but struggled to create chances against a well organised Bangor defence. 1876 enjoyed the lion's share of possession as the clock ticked down and held on to secure a deserved victory.

FULL TIME: GRESFORD ATHLETIC 1-3 BANGOR 1876

We're back in action next weekend when we welcome Caersws to Nantporth for a league game on Saturday 10 February that kicks off at 2pm.