City’s Quay clash is make-or-break for Europe hopes
BANGOR City know it is makeor-break in their quest to automatically qualify for Europe when they visit high-flying rivals Gap Connah’s Quay this Saturday (2.30pm).
The Citizens will be aware a defeat at Deeside Stadium will pretty much rule them out of a topthree finish and mean their only hope of success will lie through the Europa League play-offs.
Bangor are currently in fourth, five points behind the Nomads, who were due to play their game in hand over Ian Dawes’ side at home to champions The New Saints last night (Tuesday).
City have experienced a win, a draw and a defeat against the Nomads this season, losing 2-0 and recording a 2-1 victory at the Bangor University Stadium, while their previous visit to Deeside last October finished 2-2.
Dawes’ men suffered a big blow in their bid to finish in the leading three positions when they lost 2-1 at home to second-placed Bala Town last Friday.
Kieran Smith struck twice for the Lakesiders, with Anthony Miley responding for the all-blues.
Dawes said: “Three points would have given us a chance of second, so it’s a big blow to lose.
“I thought as a whole over the 90 minutes we were the better side, but we are making too many mistakes which are costing us games.
“You can’t always score three or four goals to win a game.”
With the wind at their backs for the opening period, City enjoyed plenty of possession, but the Lakesiders defended stoutly.
Visiting keeper Ashley Morris palmed away a Dean Rittenberg shot on 26 minutes, while at the other end Ryan Wade dragged a shot wide and Chris Venables fired a free kick just over the bar.
After resisting home pressure in a goalless first half, the Lakesiders came out strongly with the elements in their favour after the interval.
They were in front nine minutes into the second half when a Venables shot was parried by keeper Connor Roberts and Smith was on hand to net the rebound.
City responded quickly as Miley planted home a free header at the near post from a set-piece, his third league goal of the season.
But Bala were not to be denied and bagged the winner on 70 minutes as John Irving’s pinpoint cross was fired home by Smith.
The visitors had further chances, with Venables blazing a closerange free kick over the bar, Smith heading wide, and sub Ian Sheridan lobbing over from distance.
Bangor were unable to find a way back with Bradley Jackson’s shot cleared and Danny Gosset nodding wide.
Bala boss Colin Caton hailed the result as his team’s biggest of the season after they took a giant stride towards Europa League football.
“It was as big a result as we’ve had this season,” said Caton. “The points differential was massive. Had we lost, Bangor would have been just two points behind us. As it is, we are now eight points clear of them.
“I’m really proud of the lads, who again showed their character and spirit. It was a tough night.
“We were against the wind in the first half, but Bangor did not create a lot. In the second half, we played really well and had chances to have killed them off.”