Match Report by Ben Leggatt

An efficient display from a much-changed side ensured Bangor 1876 progressed into the next round of the NWCFA Junior Cup at the expense of hosts Llanelwy Athletic.

The first half started very evenly, with few chances being created by either team. Shaun Lock had a free kick from distance saved by keeper Joe O’Brien, before Llanelwy Athletic had a chance of their own cleared from a long throw by Steve Kirk just a few short minutes later.

The match burst into life in the 26th minute when a Bangor 1876 counter attack led to Leon Owens taking a shot from the edge of the area, before opposition goalkeeper Joe O’Brien parried the ball directly into the path of Dylan Williams, who duly dispatched the opportunity to break the deadlock.

However, Bangor 1876’s lead lasted only five minutes as a Llanelwy Athletic free kick found Liam Rowland Jones, whose header took a deflection past goalkeeper Danial Williams to level the score.

As the first half ebbed towards its conclusion, there was a strong penalty appeal for Bangor 1876 as Benn Lundstram went down in the box, but the referee waved away the protests.

Half Time: Llanelwy Athletic FC 1-1 CPD Bangor 1876 FC

The second half began with Bangor 1876 dominating possession as they patiently looked for a way through the stubborn Llanelwy Athletic defence.

They finally got their reward in the 51st minute when a Shaun Lock free kick found its way to Luke Steele, who managed to squeeze it past goalkeeper O’Brien and into the back of the net from a tight angle to make it 2-1.

Bangor 1876 then opted to bring on some fresh legs, with Dylan Summers-Jones and Jamie Petrie entering the fray, replacing the hardworking Leon Owens and Iwan Williams respectively, and the changes soon started to pay dividends as the visitors began finding holes in the Llanelwy defence.

In the 64th minute Petrie found space down the right flank, and his low cross was fired narrowly wide by Dylan Williams. Just a minute later, a similar low cross was sent in by Jamie Thomas towards the dangerous Summers-Jones, but O’Brien managed to collect well.

However, Bangor 1876’s pressure soon paid off, as Jamie Petrie’s cross into the area found Benn Lundstram, who fired beyond O'Brien to make the score 3-1.

From then on, the game as a contest was effectively over, with Bangor 1876 continuing to dominate and create chances. Benn Lundstram went close with a free kick in the 72nd minute, before an audacious long range effort by Jamie Petrie which seemed destined for the top corner was kept out by O’Brien’s acrobatic fingertip in the 81st minute.

As the game headed towards its conclusion, Bangor 1876 continued to pile on the pressure. Dylan Summers-Jones’ low cross was agonisingly close from being turned in by Petrie, before the impressive Matthew Lock unleashed a thunderbolt from the edge of the area which crashed against the woodwork in stoppage time.

Full Time: Llanelwy Athletic FC 1-3 CPD Bangor 1876 FC