Jack Griffith reports on today's match in the JD Cymru North

On a sunny but breezy Saturday afternoon at Bangor City Stadium, the stage was set for an intense showdown between Bangor 1876 and Caersws FC. The home crowd turned up in force, filling the air with anticipation and hope.

Before kick-off, there was a moment of reflection and emotion as players and fans stood for a moment of applause in memory of Geraint Jones—fondly known as “Ger Shops”—a former Bangor City and Porthmadog player, who sadly passed away at the age of 58.

Bangor got the game underway through Tom Mahoney, but it was Caersws who came out of the blocks quickest. Early pressure saw Carl Jones called into action multiple times, including a crucial fingertip save from a Sam Philips free kick just four minutes in. Bangor’s defence, though under siege, remained composed through the first twenty minutes with Carl Jones and the backline repelling waves of Caersws attacks.

Bangor’s first real threat came in the 21st minute when Liam Morris tested the Caersws keeper with a low drive from outside the box, forcing a smart save and earning the home side their first corner. Moments later, Dylan Summers and James Barry combined well down the right, winning another corner that sadly came to nothing.

A light-hearted moment occurred in the 36th minute when a toddler briefly became the youngest pitch invader in Bangor history—swiftly retrieved by stewards and greeted with laughter from the stands.

Just as it looked like both sides would go in level, a Caersws counterattack in the 44th minute saw their number 9 Rhys Hesden curl the ball into the bottom corner and sending the visitors into the break 1-0 up.

Half-Time: Bangor 1876 p – 1 Caersws

Bangor came out for the second half with renewed fire. Within six minutes of the restart, they were level. Tom Mahoney whipped in a pinpoint cross, met with a perfect finish by Jake Ellison to bring the score to 1-1.
The next twenty minutes saw substitutions from both sides, with Corrig and Dan Cox coming on to inject fresh energy into Bangor’s midfield. A back-and-forth battle followed, with aerial duels and half-chances being the majority.

Bangor continued to press, with Iolo Hughes and Ryan Stratulis going close. Stratulis’ 72nd-minute free kick whistled just wide as Bangor piled on the pressure. The game edged into a scrappy final few minutes, full of stoppages and collisions, including a head clash between Mahoney and Harries in the 81st minute.

Bangor threw everything forward in injury time. An attempt from Sam Jones after a late throw-in nearly snatched a winner, but it sailed just over. Caersws’ keeper was booked for time-wasting as the game ticked into the final seconds.

In the 93rd minute, Caersws' number 12 Tommy Rowlands latched onto a loose ball in the box and rifled it home past a stranded Carl Jones. The away bench erupted. The Bangor end stood still. 2-1 Caersws. It was a cruel end to a spirited performance from Bangor 1876, who showed resilience and heart throughout.

Full Time: Bangor 1876 1 – 2 Caersws

All eyes now turn to next Saturday’s final game against Ruthin in Bala (Saturday 12 April, 2.30pm).
A supporters coach is being organised, please contact Dave Roberts (07517 482182) to book your seat. The cost will be £15 and the bus will leave from Bangor Railway Station at 10am.