Bangor hold title chasing Blues
Birmingham 2 Bangor 2 - Axa FA Premier League Sunday 31st March 2002
Bangor took on the unbeaten Blues and got off to a tremendous start when they scored after only five minutes. The goal came from a Ceryl Jones corner that was powerfully headed into the bottom corner by Louise Barlow for her first of the season. Bangor were putting in a hardworking and organised display and Birmingham were pressured into mistakes as they became increasingly frustrated. However, a gift from the referee let the home side back into the game when the official awarded a dubious penalty for pushing at a corner kick. Laura Bassett gratefully converted the penalty to bring the sides level. Bangor stung by the decision renewed their efforts and a through ball by Ceryl Jones let in Cheryl Foster to lob the keeper to give Bangor a halt-time lead.
Birmingham changed formation after the break and controlled most of the possession but still found it difficult to break down a determined Bangor side. Solid defending kept the home team at bay until ten minutes from time when a long ball over the defence allowed Bassett to claim her second of the game. The home team pressed on for a winner but Bangor's hard work was rewarded with a point.
Bangor team (4-5-1): Nicky Davies, Louise Barlow, Laura Pritchard, Donna Edwards, Alwen Williams, Tania Jones, Ceryl Jones, Iona Williams, Kelly Davies, Gill Smith, Cheryl Foster (Aisla Orlik).
Bangor crash out of League Cup
Bangor City 0 Birmingham 1- Axa FA Premier League Cup Sunday 28th October 2001
Bangor failed to make it to the quarter finals of the League Cup after they went down 1-0 to league leaders Birmingham. Bangor were on the back foot from the start and struggled to put any passes together. They were not helped when the visitors scored a dubious goal after 15 minutes. Birmingham's McLeod headed a ball unchallenged over the keeper as everyone waited for the linesman's flag that never came. Bangor's best effort of the half came when Orlik charged down the goalkeepers clearance only to put the ball over the bar.
Bangor improved slightly in the second-half but were still clearly second best and lacked any quality to go with their effort. Sam Blackmore had a shot well saved and Kelly Davies hit the bar but there were few Bangor highlights. Birmingham had chances to make the game safe but were guilty of wasteful finishing in front of goal. Bangor could have few complaints about the result and Birmingham will be hopeful of progressing to the semi-finals having drawn Ilkeston in the next round.Bangor team (4-5-1 / 3-5-2): Nicky Davies, Gill Smith, Bev Dignam, Elain Owen (Sam Blackmore), Siwan Elenid, Kelly Davies, Alwen Williams (Iona Williams), Katie Williams, Donna Edwards (King), Louise Barlow, Aisla Orlik.
Game Sponsored by: MONA F&T CO.LTD Mona Yard, Gwalchmai
First defeat for Bangor
Bangor City 2 Birmingham 3- Axa FA Premier League Sunday 16th September 2001
Bangor suffered their first defeat of the season as Birmingham made it five wins out of five to consolidate their position at the top of the table. The visitors dominated the first twenty minutes and Bangor had little answer to their slick passing play. The Blues best chance came after a dubious free-kick was awarded for handball on the edge of the area and the resulting shot hit the bar. Bangor took the lead against the run of play when Foster set up Elenid to shoot low into the bottom corner of the net. A series of Birmingham corners had put the Bangor defence under great pressure, and their luck eventually ran out when a clearance fell to Michelle Convey to loop in the equaliser. The visitors then took the lead after a poor clearance allowed the ball to be played to Katy Ward who turned the defender and slammed the ball into the top corner.
The home team improved in the second half and Ceryl Jones equalised with a neat lob over the keeper. The game ebbed and flowed but the Birmingham always had an edge and greater sense of purpose over the Welsh side. Bangor were visibly tiring having been made to chase the game and Birmingham's Katy Ward took advantage to score an excellent individual goal. Bangor pushed for an equaliser but never really threatened the Birmingham goalkeeper.
Bangor team (4-4-2): Nicky Davies, Gill Smith, Bev Dignam, Laura Pritchard, Elain Owen, Siwan Elenid, Kelly Davies (Elin Jones) Karen Williams (Louise Barlow), Cheryl Foster (Aisla Orlik), Manon Williams, Ceryl Jones.
