Bangor City Girls 4 Birmingham City 2- Sunday 27th August

After the break Bangor began to dominate the game. The home team equalised from a well-taken Ceryl Jones free kick, and Jones then scored her second from the penalty spot after a handball in the box. The game was made safe when Eleri Earnshaw forced a defender into a mistake to race through and beat the keeper. Manager Keith Fearns commented 'We can't keep starting games so badly as we won't always get away with it. On the positive side we never gave up and this determination paid off in the end.'

Bangor Team 3-5-2. Roberts, Owen, Dignam, Smith, Lloyd Williams (Earnshaw), Jones T, Jones C, Elenid, Wyn Williams (Pritchard)(Williams K), Foster, Williams A.

Bangor Scorers: Ceryl Jones 2, Cheryl Foster 1, Eleri Earnshaw 1.

Booked: Tania Jones

Smith Firm Ltd - Sponsor's player of the match: Alwen Williams

Birmingham City Report

Bangor starting the stronger of the two . Within 5 minutes off play Bangor gain a direct free kick. Ceryl Jones lined up the free kick from 25 yards and banged the ball into the top right corner giving the keeper no chance . Bangor now started to play Birmingham at thier own game and taking control with some good passing football. Birmingham found it hard to settle down and produce the fluent football of the first half. Within 25 minutes of the half Blues made 2 changes by bring on Lyndsey Griffiths and Anna McLeod for Michelle Archer and Alison Taylor. Shortly after the changes Bangor on the attack the ball struck Blues defender on the arm , ref on the blind side checked with linesman and awarded a penalty. Ceryl Jones took the penalty with great confidence to put them ahead 3-2. Birmingham with their heads down couldn't get back into the game with Bangor outplaying them. A mistake by blues keeper and defence let Eleri Earnshaw of Bangor in to seal the game at 4-2 giving Birmingham no hope of getting a result.

1 Claire Davis 2 Fran Norman 3 Michelle 4 Helen Ward 5 Steph Samuels 6 Leanne 7 Michelle Archer 8 Suzanne Douglas 9 Marie Ballard 10 Donna Hawkins 11 Alison Taylor 12 Anna McLeod 14 Claire Smith 15 Gemma Smith 16 Mellisa Byrne 17 Lyndsey Griffiths

Match Report Mick Hickmott

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Bangor City 0 - Sunday 3rd Sept

City had come from behind to win their last two games but this time found they had pushed their luck too far. Wolves fought hard to keep Bangor out the game, and a second goal by Fellows late in the game finally extinguished any hopes of a Bangor comeback.

Team: 3-5-2: Roberts, Dignam, Smith, Barlow (Owen), Williams A, Jones C, Jones T, Davies (Earnshaw), Williams K, Foster (Manning), Elenid.

Bangor City Girls 7 Newcastle 0 - Sunday 9th Sept

Bangor continued to dominate the game but struggled to put the ball in the net. However, midway through the second half their dominance told as the floodgates opened. Cheryl Foster hit five more, and Gail Manning chipped in with one as Bangor finished with the game in storming fashion. Full time 7-0

Team: 3-5-2: Roberts, Dignam, Smith, Owen, Williams A (Williams Karen), Jones C, Jones T, Williams Katie (Iona Wyn Williams), Foster, Manning, Elenid (Orlik).

Bangor Scorers: Cheryl Foster 6, Gail Manning 1.

Banking Support Services - player of the match: Cheryl Foster

Coventry City 1 Bangor City Girls 2 - Sunday 16th Sept

Coventry started the second half brightly and were the better team for twenty minutes. The home side were particularly threatening down their right, and Bangor struggled to recapture their first half form. A crude tackle on Coventry's diminutive number 9 earned the Bangor captain a deserved caution. Slightly against the run of play Ceryl Jones scored Bangor's second as Coventry's defensive weaknesses were exposed. Bangor should have gone on to comfortably win the game but a combination of awful finishing and good goalkeeping kept Coventry in with a shout. In the final minutes only some rugged defending and a fine save from Bangor keeper Joanne Roberts ensured the better team won.

Bangor Team: 4-4-2: Roberts, Dignam, Smith, Barlow, Owen, Williams A, Williams Karen (Earnshaw), Elenid, Jones T, Jones C, Foster (Wyn Williams).

Bangor Scorers: Cheryl Foster 1, Ceryl Jones 1.

Wembley MH 0 Bangor City Girls 3 - League Cup 1st Round, Sunday 24th Sept

The second half was an improvement on the dour first period and the contest was still finely balanced. With twenty minutes left on the clock Bangor broke the deadlock after a mix-up between keeper Cabey-Gooden and the defender let Ceryl Jones in to score from a tight angle. City put the game beyond doubt when Foster notched her ninth of the season, and shortly afterwards Ceryl Jones made it three. In the time remaining Wembley were again denied by the woodwork, and fourteen year old Bangor substitute Orlik entertained the crowd with some dazzling runs and shooting.

Bangor Team: 3-5-2: Roberts, Dignam, Smith, Barlow, Williams Karen (Owen), Williams A, Davies K, Jones T, Jones C, Elenid, Foster (Orlik).

Bangor Scorers: Cheryl Foster 1, Ceryl Jones 2.

Bangor City Girls 1 Huddersfield Town 0 - Sunday 1st Oct

Bangor continued to miss chances with goal scoring duo Cheryl Foster and Ceryl Jones lacking their usual ruthlessness. Defender Gill Smith rolled back the years with an inspired run from her own half only to see the keeper palm away her shot. Tania Jones then missed another great chance and frustration began to set in as it looked as it Bangor would never score. Ultimately it took the cool head of teenage sensation Eleri Earnshaw to break down the Huddersfield defence. Foster picked out Earnshaw from a free-kick and she headed past the keeper from 8 yards out.

Bangor Team: 3-5-2: Roberts, Dignam, Smith, Barlow, (Owen), Williams A (Williams Karen), Davies K (Earnshaw), Jones T, Jones C, Elenid (Wyn Williams), Foster.

Bangor Scorer: Eleri Earnshaw

Bangor City Girls 3 Ilkeston 3 - Sunday 15th Oct

Ilkeston continued in the same vein as the first half, competing for every ball and threatening to retake the lead especially from set pieces. It was Bangor though who took the lead when Foster hit a magnificent shot from outside the box that flew past the keeper. The game was far from over as Ilkeston fought hard for an equaliser. Bangor continued to give away free kicks in dangerous positions and they paid the price when Plinston scored in the final minutes.

Bangor defender Gill Smith said "Ilkeston deserved at least a draw but the goals we conceded were very disappointing. They worked really hard as a team and got stuck in which is something we failed to do".

Bangor Team: 3-5-2/ 4-4-2: Roberts, Dignam, Smith, Barlow, Owen, Williams A, Davies K (Wyn Williams), Jones T, Jones C (Earnshaw), Elenid, Foster (Manning).
Bangor Scorer: Cheryl Foster 3

Sheffield Wednesday 2 Bangor City Girls 1 - Sunday 22nd Oct

The home side caused more problems in the second half although Bangor had their chances to retake the lead. Wednesday were dangerous from set pieces but found debutant keeper Davies in good form. With ten minutes left a terrible error by defender Gill Smith resulted in the winning goal. A hopeful pass should have been easily cut out but the defender missed the ball completely to let the Wednesday forward through to score. Despite their best efforts Bangor couldn't force an equaliser.

Bangor Scorer: Ceryl Jones

Bangor City Girls 3 Charlton Athletic 5 League Cup 2nd Round- Sunday 5th Nov

The second half exploded into life with two goals within two minutes of the restart. Bangor's third sub Eleri Earnshaw pounced after Cope spilled a Foster shot, but Charlton immediately restored their two-goal advantage when Moore scored her second. It was end-to-end stuff with both sides having chances to score. Fourteen-year-old Davies in the Bangor goal had an inspired home debut pulling off a string of fantastic saves. Inspiration at the other end of the pitch came from Cheryl Foster as she tormented the Charlton defence before firing a magnificent shot into the top corner. The game was levelled with 15 minutes left when Earnshaw seized on a rebound off keeper Cope to send the crowd wild. However, it was not to be for Bangor as Charlton's Proctor took advantage of a tiring defence to score two in the last seven minutes. Both teams contributed to an enthralling and competitive game in wet and windy conditions.

Bangor Scorers: Foster, Earnshaw (2)

Charlton Scorers Moore (2), Arnold, Proctor (2)

Booked: Gill Smith, Tania Jones , Louise Barlow - Bangor, Hunt C - Charlton

Aston Villa 1 Bangor City Girls 0, FA Cup 3rd Round- Sunday 17th Dec

The second-half followed the pattern of the first-half with Villa having the better chances and greater possession. Bangor though were denied another penalty when a blatant handball in the box went unpunished. Then stalemate continued until the 85th minute when recent Villa signing Donna Hawkins scored what proved to be the winner. Bangor responded by throwing defender Gill Smith forward but despite the pressure could not force an equaliser, Ceryl Jones coming closest rattling the crossbar.

Bangor City Girls 2 Garswood 0 Sunday 7th Jan 2001

Bangor had the wind behind them in the second half and they dominated the play. Goals proved hard to come by and it took a rare Tania Jones strike to break the deadlock midway through the second half. Ten minutes later Ceryl Jones made the game safe with a shot from the edge of the box. Garswood rarely threatened to get back into the game and Bangor had several good chances to add to their tally. Overall it was a disappointing game with little to entertain the crowd.

Goals, Tania Jones, Ceryl Jones

Bangor City Girls 3 Coventry 2 Sunday 28th Jan 2001

Bangor made one change from the team that had beaten Garswood two weeks earlier and the bench was boosted by the return of several players from injury and holidays. Coventry made the better start and had most of the early pressure. Bangor's midfield lacked bite and the defence appeared disorganised and it was no great shock when Coventry took the lead following a goalmouth scramble. It took a rare goal from defender Gill Smith to send the teams in level at halftime.

The home team took the initiative in the second half and only some outstanding saves from the Coventry keeper denied Bangor. Eventually their pressure told when substitute Foster was felled in the box and Ceryl Jones converted the penalty. The third goal came after the Coventry keeper made two more excellent saves only for Siwan Elenid to pounce on the loose ball to score her first of the season. Coventry picked up the pace in the last fifteen minutes and were rewarded with a late consolation goal.

Bangor Goals: Gill Smith, Ceryl Jones (pen), Siwan Elenid

Broughton Aerospace 0 Bangor City Girls 12. Welsh Cup Sunday 18th Feb 2001

On a foggy and freezing cold day in Wrexham the premier league team comfortably beat Broughton to reach the semi-final of the Welsh Cup. Playing on a school pitch that didn't lend itself to flowing football Bangor stuck to their task and despite missing a hatful of early chances they ran out comfortable winners. Broughton who play in the North West League Division 2 South tried to make it difficult for Bangor but were vulnerable to an early ball over the defence and Bangor profited from this direct tactic especially in the first half. Once the game had been put beyond doubt City played better football and scored several excellent goals. Cheryl Foster hit six; Ceryl Jones two and second half substitute Eleri Earnshaw bagged four.

Bangor Goals: Ceryl Jones 2, Cheryl Foster 6, Eleri Earnshaw 4.

Leeds United 2 Bangor City Girls 2. Sunday 25th Feb 2001

Bangor were playing with much more confidence and capitalised on a defensive mistake which let Siwan Elenid in to coolly level the game. The home side were then stunned as Bangor took the lead with 17 minutes remaining. As with the first Bangor goal the Leeds keeper was less than effective as a sweeper giving Ceryl Jones the opportunity to lob in Bangor's second. Bangor could not hang on to their lead as Leeds scored a scrappy equaliser with a strong suspicion of a foul on the Bangor keeper. A high ball into the six-yard box looked to have been claimed by keeper Davies only for the challenge of two Leeds players to knock the ball loose for Daniels to equalise in the ensuing goalmouth scramble.

Bangor Goals: Ceryl Jones 1 Siwan Elenid 1

Bangor Team: 4-4-2: Nicki Davies, Karen Williams, Gill Smith, Bev Dignam, Elain Owen, Siwan Elenid (Eleri Earnshaw), Alwen Williams, Tania Jones, Manon Lloyd Williams, Ceryl Jones, Cheryl Foster (Iona Williams).

Oldham Curzon 2 Bangor City Girls 1. Wednesday 14th March 2001

Bangor started the second-half well but had the stuffing knocked out of them when Oldham were gifted a second goal. A loose ball should have been cleared but the Oldham player was allowed to get a shot in past the unsighted Bangor keeper. Bangor did little to really threaten the Oldham defence with most attacks breaking down before reaching the Oldham penalty area. In the final minutes Bangor threw players forward but the home team looked more likely to score a third on the break than Bangor did of levelling the game.

Bangor City Girls 0 Leeds United 2 (Ruthin Town FC) 25th March

Ruthin Town F.C kindly made their pitch available for this hastily arranged fixture against championship contenders Leeds United. It was ironic that Bangor having been forced to play away from Farrar Road because of foot and mouth outbreak played the game to the accompaniment of bleating sheep! Preparations for the game were hardly ideal as Bangor found themselves two players down after a mix-up over travelling arrangements. Cheryl Foster and Louise Barlow were left stranded in Llandudno and had no way of getting to the game on time. The opening exchanges were pretty evenly contested although Leeds created the better opportunities and profited from Bangor's inability clear the ball more than ten yards. However, City had a great chance to take the lead mid-way through the half when Ceryl Jones crossed across the face of the goal but Siwan Elenid couldn't get a touch on the ball. Leeds increased the pressure on the Bangor goal and were unlucky not to take the lead after a series of shots and blocks in the six-yard box. However, the visitors did take the lead five minutes from half-time when Bangor failed to clear a corner and ball fell invitingly to defender Judd Gorton to fire home.

City tried to up the pace in the second half and make a game of it but their hopes were dealt a body blow when Leeds hit their decisive second goal. A long ball over the defence looked to have been cleared by the Bangor defender but the resulting ricochet off a Leeds player fell to Lucy Ward who sprinted into the box to calmly place the ball past the Bangor keeper. Bangor huffed and puffed but didn't have the guile or strength to trouble a solid Leeds defence. Disappointed Bangor defender Gill Smith said 'I think Leeds won without really having to pull out all the stops. We are going to have to become more organised and committed both on and off the pitch if we are going to start winning again'.

Bangor Team:4-4-2, 3-5-2: Nicki Davies, Karen Williams (Aisla Orlik), Gill Smith, Bev Dignam, Elain Owen (Eleri Earnshaw), Siwan Elenid (Susie Cunningham), Tania Jones, Manon Lloyd Williams, Ceryl Jones, Iona Williams, Alwen Williams.

Ilkeston Town 1 Bangor City Girls 1, 1st April

Bangor started the game much the better than Ilkeston but failed to capitalise on their early pressure. Louise Barlow had a great chance to score but saw her initial shot saved and then put the rebound wide. Slowly Ilkeston crept back into the game and put the City defence under increasing pressure. Bangor were conceding needless fouls in dangerous areas and this undisciplined defending cost Bangor dear less than ten minutes from the break. From a free-kick on the edge of the Bangor penalty area Beth Bailey shot under the wall to deceive the Bangor keeper.

Bangor stepped up a gear after the break and constantly put the Ilkeston defence under pressure. Their reward came when a good pass put in winger Lloyd Williams to neatly notch the equaliser. Bangor looked like they were going to go on and win the game but couldn't beat the Ilkeston keeper. Cheryl Foster appeared unlucky not to get a penalty after being brought down in the box but it wasn't going to be Bangor's day.

Bangor City Girls 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 8th April

Wolves had more of the possession in the second-half but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Bangor constantly threatened to extend their lead but struggled to get the vital second goal. Ceryl Jones had seen another shot hit the bar before she finally beat the keeper and the woodwork to make it 2-0 in the dying minutes. The constant rain had made the pitch a quagmire but both teams managed to make it a decent game.

Bangor Team: 3-5-2: Nicki Davies, Karen Williams, Bev Dignam, Gill Smith, Siwan Elenid, Tania Jones, Manon Lloyd Williams, Katie Williams (Louise Barlow) Iona Williams, Cheryl Foster, Ceryl Jones

Birmingham Ladies 2 Bangor City Girls 2 Friday 13th April

The second half was a much more interesting and produced four goals. Birmingham were first on the score sheet after a low cross fell to an unmarked Birmingham striker who made no mistake from close range. The home sides advantage didn't last long as Ceryl Jones equalised with a brilliantly executed 25-yard lob. Bangor piled on the pressure and were rewarded with a well taken second goal as Cheryl Foster beat the offside to the net Bangor's second. Unfortunately for Bangor a lapse in concentration was to prove costly as Birmingham equalised with only minutes left on the clock. A harmless looking ball eluded the Bangor defence and allowed the Blues attacker to nip in and lob the equaliser over the advancing Bangor keeper.

Bangor Team: 3-5-2: Nicki Davies, Karen Williams, Bev Dignam, Gill Smith (Rebecca Owen), Siwan Elenid, Tania Jones, Manon Lloyd Williams, Katie Williams (Eleri Earnshaw), Iona Williams, Cheryl Foster (Louise Barlow), Ceryl Jones

Bangor City Girls 4 Barry Town 0, Welsh Cup semi-final Wed 18th April. Venue: Newtown F.C

Bangor had led 1-0 at half-time in last years final against Barry Town only to go on to lose the game but it was clear from the way City started the second-half that there would be no repeat. A great cross by influential Bangor winger Lloyd Williams found Siwan Elenid but agonisingly her shot hit the bar. With the guile and pace of the Bangor attackers causing all sorts of problems for the Barry defence it was no surprise when Bangor increased their lead. Cheryl Foster made a great run and squared the ball for Ceryl Jones to beat the keeper. Another Foster run brought the third goal after her shot was well saved by Su Young only for the outstanding Siwan Elenid to pounce on the loose ball to score. The icing on the cake was provided by Lloyd Williams who capped a fine display with a glorious solo goal that she will enjoy watching on the TV highlights. Barry had their chances in the game but were denied by Nicki Davies in the Bangor goal and on one occasion the crossbar. Overall Bangor had dominated the game and will be hoping they can repeat that standard of performance in the final against Newport.

Huddersfield 0 Bangor City Girls 2 Wed 25th April.

Bangor Team: 3-5-2: Nicki Davies, Bev Dignam, Louise Barlow, Elain Owen, Tania Jones, Laura Pritchard (Manon Lloyd Williams), Alwen Williams(Siwan Elenid), Kelly Davies,(Iona Williams), Cheryl Foster, Eleri Earnshaw, Ceryl Jones

Bangor City Girls 3 Newport County 0 - Welsh Cup Final Sunday 6th May.

The second half followed the pattern of the first with City doing all the pressing but again not able to turn possession into goals. With less than twenty-five minutes on the clock Bangor nerves were becoming frayed as Newport thwarted their best efforts. It needed something special to break the deadlock and Ceryl Jones produced it with a 25 yard shot into the top corner. Newport now had to commit players forward but the Bangor defence dealt comfortably with County’s attacks whilst the Bangor strikers took advantage of the increased space. Two goals in five minutes made the game safe for Bangor as Cheryl Foster and Ceryl Jones increased Bangor’s tally to three. Victory was especially sweet for captain Bev Bourner who was injured when City first won the cup in 1997, and for Siwan Elenid who broke her leg in that final and missed out on the post match celebrations.

Bangor Team: 3-5-2: Nicki Davies, Karen Williams, Bev Dignam, Gill Smith, Siwan Elenid (Eleri Earnshaw), Tania Jones, Manon Lloyd Williams, Alwen Williams, Iona Williams (Kelly Davies), Cheryl Foster, Ceryl Jones

Garswood 2 Bangor City Girls 2 - Friday 11th May.

Bangor Team: 3-5-2: Nicki Davies, Karen Williams, Elain Owen, Gill Smith, Siwan Elenid, Laura Pritchard (Manon Lloyd Williams), Iona Williams, Kelly Davies, Louise Barlow (Eleri Earnshaw), Cheryl Foster (Aisla Orlik), Ceryl Jones

Newcastle Town 3 Bangor City Girls 1 - Sunday 13th May.

Bangor Team: 3-5-2: Nicki Davies, Karen Williams, Alwen Williams, Gill Smith, Elain Owen (Eleri Earnshaw), Katie Williams (S Cunningham), Siwan Elenid, Iona Willams, Kelly Davies (Aisla Orlik), Cheryl Foster, Ceryl Jones

Bangor City Girls 0 Oldham Curzon 0 - Thursday 17th May.

Bangor Team: 3-5-2: Nicki Davies, Karen Williams, Alwen Williams, Gill Smith, Tania Jones, Laura Pritchard, Susie Cunningham, Siwan Elenid (Aisla Orlik), Iona Willams, Cheryl Foster, Ceryl Jones

Bangor City Girls 4 Sheff Wed 0 - Sunday 20th May.

Bangor Team: 3-5-2: Nicki Davies, Karen Williams (Becky Owen), Alwen Williams, Gill Smith, Tania Jones, Laura Pritchard, Susie Cunningham (Aisla Orlik), Siwan Elenid (Louise Barlow), Iona Willams, Cheryl Foster, Ceryl Jones

Bangor City Girls 0 Aston Villa 0 - Conwy FC Friday 25th May

The half-time cuppa had done nothing to dampen Villa's enthusiastic approach but they found Bangor less charitable than they were in the first-half. As for the football the game was pretty even in terms of chances although Villa looked the more skilful team. Karen Williams made it three bookings to one after pulling an attackers shirt but the fireworks would come ten minutes before the end. As Lloyd Williams was shielding the ball she accidentally caught the Villa defender in the face and rightly no foul was given. With the game continuing the Villa player decided she would exact revenge and chased after and kicked out wildly at the Bangor player. Villa were reduced to ten players but held on for an incident packed goalless draw.

Bangor Team: 3-5-2: Nicki Davies, Karen Williams, Alwen Williams, Gill Smith, Tania Jones (Louise Barlow), Laura Pritchard (Aisla Orlik), Siwan Elenid, Manon Lloyd Williams, Iona Willams, Cheryl Foster, Ceryl Jones