Match report by Max Arnold

Bangor 1876 took on Holywell Town at Nantporth on the evening of 22nd November in what turned out to be a tense and touchy affair.

The two sides came into this league clash just two points and two places apart. A win for Bangor 1876 would see them leapfrog Holywell town in the table, however, they would not have it all their own way.

Early on, possession continuously changed hands, with neither side managing to take control of the game. Both sets of players didn’t allow their opponents any time to settle on the ball, which resulted in a wild and unpredictable game.

It wasn’t until the 10th minute that the game had its first clear-cut chance, and it fell to the visitors. Jake Cooke acrobatically delivered a fantastic cross, which Danny Andrews connected with, Heading over the bar from ten or so yards.

A few minutes later, it was Bangor’s turn to threaten the score line. The ball fell to Mason Blackwell-Jones on the edge of the box; however, he couldn’t keep his shot on target, under pressure from Holywell town defenders.

Moments later, Bangor 1876 took the lead. Sam Jones played a nice forward pass to Corrig McGonigle, setting him up with a one-on-one with Holywell Town’s last defender. With a few neat touches, McGonigle got past his defender with ease, cut inside, and then expertly dispatched the ball into the bottom right corner. A terrific goal.

Bangor 1876 1-0 Holywell Town

It wasn’t long before Bangor had their second goal of the game. Danny Sullivan attempted to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper, but instead, he set up McGonigle for his second goal of the game. McGonigle read the telegraphed the back pass and showed explosive speed to latch onto the ball before taking a touch around the goalkeeper and finishing it off into the unguarded net from an angle. 20 minutes on the clock, 2-0 to Bangor 1876.

Bangor 1876 2-0 Holywell Town

Despite the two-goal deficit, Holywell Town were not disheartened and continued to attack valiantly.

Morgan Murray delivered a wicked ball into the box from a deep position on the left-hand side. The ball somehow managed to evade everyone and went all the way through toward the bottom right corner of the goal. Bradley Farrar reacted brilliantly and got down quickly to make the save. Before getting up and making a block at his front post.

Holywell Town continued to create chances and were unlucky not to get themselves on the scoresheet on several occasions.

Eventually, Bangor’s resistance broke, and despite Farrar’s best efforts, Holywell Town found themselves back in the game. Farrar made a good initial save, but Jamie Breese was on hand to bundle in the rebound from a few yards out.

Bangor 1876 2-1 Holywell Town.

The momentum was well and truly with Holywell Town as they pushed for an equaliser. Another chance came their way from a corner. A combination of desperate blocks from the goalkeeper and defenders ensured Bangor 1876 went into halftime with their lead still intact.

Half time – Bangor 1876 2-1 Holywell Town

The second half continued much like the first. Back and forth, aggressive, and unrelenting. Holywell Town picked up where they left off, getting shots on target and keeping Farrar busy. Bangor 1876 were beginning to create opportunities as well. The game was on a knife edge and the tension was starting to boil over on the pitch, with strong challenges becoming more and more frequent as the game went on.

Holywell Town eventually got their equaliser. A big, long ball up pitch caught out the Bangor back line and Jamie Breese found himself through on goal with the ball bouncing invitingly. By the time Farrar came out to meet him his mind was already made up. He lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper, giving himself an open goal which he gladly finished off.

Bangor 1876 2-2 Holywell Town

The turnaround would have been complete just moments later if it wasn’t for a crucial block from Captain Corey Jones stopping what would have been a certain goal after a swift attacking move.

The next chance of the game fell for Bangor 1876. A magnificent curling ball into the box from Telor Williams was attacked by McGonigle. He stretched for the ball with his right foot but couldn’t keep it down and lifted the ball over the bar.

Bangor 1876 came close again a minute later. Mason Blackwell-Jones received the ball on the run in the box and took an incisive first touch, bypassing the Holywell town defence and setting himself up with a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He shot across goal and fired just wide of the post. Agonisingly close.

With just 15 minutes remaining, Sam Jones came within a whisker of winning the game for Bangor 1876. A corner ball was flicked on at the front post and Jones connected with the ball beautifully, smashing the underside of the bar from 10 yards out.

Full Time - Bangor 1876 2-2 Holywell Town.

A point apiece for Bangor 1876 and Holywell Town. It was a closely fought game which could have gone either way. Both sides created their fair share of chances and battled intensely throughout the 90 minutes. A draw, perhaps the fair result.

Our next match will be next Saturday’s trip to Buckley. (30/11/24, 2.00pm kick off). Please note that the match has been moved from it’s original date (Friday 29th November) due to Wales' Euro 2025 play-off final against the Republic of Ireland.

We hope to see you there!