Nomads beat Bangor with Baynes Strike: A report by the fans

This weekend’s hotly anticipated match-up between Bangor City and gap Connah’s Quay Nomads saw the Nomads come out on top with a 2-0 win. Here, we take a look at the game and get the viewpoint from our Bangor and Connah’s Quay writers, Mathew and Will.
Report

The start of the game couldn’t have gone any better for the visiting Connah’s Quay, who went 1-0 up after just three minutes. From a free kick around 35 yards out, Wes Baynes expertly whipped the ball past the right of Connor Roberts and into the net. Following the goal, Nomads enjoyed the majority of possession, with Nathan Woolfe proving numerous dangerous inswinging crosses into the Bangor area.

Despite good play from the Nomads, they suffered a setback when captain and influential defender George Horan went off with an injury to his knee. Matty Owen replaced him and seconds later his side’s lead was doubled by Callum Morris on 22 minutes. Assisted by a Nathan Woolfe cross, Morris went low to send a half volley in, giving Bangor an uphill climb but with 65 minutes still to play.

The Citizens defence looked shaky most times the Nomads advanced, however new defender Jacques Kpohomouh looked confident and strong throughout. Bangor’s attacks didn’t look much better either, a rather toothless City showed no real threat in attack.

Most opportunities City had to advance forward were squandered with a long ball forward, something that occurred in the second half to, although the best of Bangor’s football came in this half.

The game may have been all but over when the Nomads were awarded a penalty after Michael Wilde was fouled by Connor Roberts. Callum Morris stepped up to try and get his brace, but Roberts made up for the foul with an excellent low save to his right.

Christian Langos the usually lively winger looked slow and his recent injury clearly plagued him, his frustration coming out in a challenge that led to him being given his marchin orders. At times during the second half, too many players were staying back as City advanced, as if fearful of the Nomads threat on the counter, but at 2-0 down City had nothing to lose.

One man down and two goals conceded, yet the Bangor faithful still stuck behind their team and tried to encourage them with song. However it was to no avail, the game ended 2-0 to give the Nomads an overall deserved and comfortable win under their belts.

FANS VIEWPOINT: gap Connah’s Quay Nomads

There’s no team in the league who wouldn’t be happy with a 2-0 win at Bangor, and we are no exception. Our start was obviously a dream, and it is the second time Wes Baynes has scored a free kick like that against Bangor in two seasons. Against a Bangor side who look worthy of the top six, we kept it together and managed to avoid any really hairy moments, which is a mean feat considering the absence of George Horan, who we’re all hoping hasn’t done himself any major damage.

What we did well: Finding the net and keeping Bangor out of it

Last week against Carmarthen, we dominated without the end product, making for a frustrating 0-0 draw. Today, we overcame that and found ourselves 2-0 up within 23 minutes, which in the end was enough to win it. We can’t fault our defensive performance, which at many times restricted Bangor when they got into our own half, and brought our number of Welsh Premier minutes without conceding to 400.

Where we can improve: Finding the net more!

It was an overall a fantastic performance – but to improve, it would have been good to see us get a third goal from the penalty, with Wilde and Williams also coming close. In this league, missed chances quickly convert to lost games, so we need to be keep tabs on that.

Nomads’ Man of the Match: Nathan Woolfe

‘Woolfy’ looks twice the player he was when he joined us in January – and he was already a fine player then. He was almost untouchable on the wing, and was probably our most dangerous player with his crosses swinging into the box throughout the game.

FANS VIEWPOINT: Bangor City FC

Despite a loss, there were however positives in today’s loss. One of which was the decent turn out at Nantporth and the fans getting behind the team throughout the game, even at the lowest points a chorus of ‘Come On City!’ could be heard.

New signings Jacques Kpohomouh and Jordan Davies, both defenders, impressed well today with Davies breaking down the wing well and holding up strong in his left back position. Jacques, a 19 year old centre back, put in another strong shift, dominating in the air and handling the pressure of handling the Nomads front line very well.

Even though he did slip up with a back pass to keeper Roberts leading to the penalty, his performance was overall a good one. Although a lacklustre and rather disappointing performance, it is worth remembering that this City side hasn’t really had much time to play with each other.

With new additions, a new manager and a new style of play under Andy Legg it is expected that Bangor have a slow start. The saying ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ springs to mind and it couldn’t be more relevant here. Yes, the result was disappointing but this side is very new, it needs time.

Also the Nomads are no pushovers, they’re a strong team boasting strong players such as Mike Wilde and Callum Morris to name a few. It’s crucial we build off this result, move on and focus on the next match, onwards and upwards. The support of the fans is vital for the City squad, a message to remember “Keep the faith.