Bangor 1876 had an incredible first season of their history, winning the Gwynedd League title at an absolute canter and incredibly had a points per game ratio of 3 winning all of their 16 league games and were only knocked out of cup competitions by Llanrwst United who are two tiers above them and Ruthin Town who are three tiers above 1876.
When it was announced that Bangor 1876 were going to take part in the 2019/20 Gwynedd League, there was an air of excitement in Bangor, this wasn’t your typical Gwynedd League team, obviously with players such as Les Davies and Michael Johnston who have both won the Welsh Premier League, 1876 were firm favourites to win the league. Clubs in the Gwynedd League eagerly awaited the visit of Bangor 1876, knowing there was money to be made at the gate with the following the club generated, one of those games I was there myself at the home village of former Prime Minister David Lloyd George, Llanystumdwy. The 1876 fans filled the pub and filled the ground and saw their side earn a comfortable victory. Though some victories were one-sided, the league had clubs who believed they could beat Bangor 1876 and win the title and weren’t at all scared of the prospect of playing a team with such talent. In this piece I will detail five games in which 1876 were tested to the maximum but came out victors.
Bangor 1876 3-1 Nefyn United – 24/08/19
This game was the first real test for 1876, welcoming a Nefyn United side who had positioned themselves as one of the best footballing sides in the league and the fans were excited by the prospect of seeing a close game between the sides. Nefyn were also up for the game and wanted to shock 1876 with a quick start and that’s exactly what they did, opening the scoring after 14 minutes after a goal from Carl Jones, it was the first time Bangor 1876 had been behind in a league game. However that deficit lasted a matter of seconds as 1876 went searching for the equaliser straight from the kick off and earned themselves a penalty which was cooly converted by Jamie Petrie. 15 minutes later, 1876 found themselves in the lead, Petrie again netting to make it 2-1, after going in-front 1876 would usually go goal crazy but Nefyn were too good to let that happen and would go searching themselves for their own equaliser putting 1876 under immense pressure. Bangor 1876 went into half-time with a 2-1 lead and in the 67th minute emphasized that lead after Les Davies netted to make it 3-1. The game finished in a victory for Bangor 1876 but this was their first real test as a Gwynedd League side and Nefyn would’ve thought themselves unlucky not to leave with at least a point. This game showed that Bangor 1876 could withstand a stern test and showed a different character to their usual goal-scoring exploits, an great performance and a great win from the Treborth side.
Talysarn Celts 2-4 Bangor 1876 – 21/09/19
Having been a spectator at this game, the game itself was remembered as much for what happened off the pitch as what happened on it. What happened off it, I shall not mention but what we saw on it was a fantastic game of football in the glorious Dyffryn Nantlle sunshine. Talysarn took an early lead, striker Glyn Tomos netting in the 9th minute, usually Bangor would strike back immediately but Celts held out and were fantastic in their game plan of high work rate and breaking at any chance they got, Jac Jones a standout in their performance. Bangor 1876 broke through just after the half-hour mark, Dylan Williams netting from close range after great set-up work by Les Davies. Talysarn were hampered by the loss of centre back Gavin Davies who had to go off through injury having kept Les Davies relatively quiet through the game. After Davies’ departure, Les saw himself with more space and was through on goal before being taken down just outside the box, Les dusted himself down and rifled the free-kick into the bottom corner and 1876 went into half-time with a 2-1 lead. 1876 came out with a purpose for the second stanza and extended their lead shortly after, Jamie Petrie netting from the penalty spot in the 59th minute, Petrie doubled his tally two minutes later, scoring from close range after a lovely flowing move from the away side. Bangor were relatively comfortable with their three goal lead but Celts held out from being embarrassed and 15 minutes from time Gerwyn Williams netted for the home side and maybe an unlikely comeback was on, but Bangor 1876 defended sternly for the reminder of the game to make sure the bumper crowd didn’t have memories of an historic upset.
Trearddur Bay Bulls 1-2 Bangor 1876 07/12/19
By this point of the season, it was clear that both these sides would finish as the top two of the table but in what order was uncertain, many felt that this game would be the one to decide it. Unfortunately the elements had more of an effect on the game than what good football did. A swirling wind and rain was unwelcomed by both sides, those who did attend felt the conditions might have favoured the home side, who would have certainly seen conditions of the like before. However, it was 1876 who took the game by the scruff of the neck and opened the scoring after 21 minutes, Dylan Summer-Jones netting to give the visitors the lead. Bangor knew beforehand that this wasn’t going to be the usual canter to victory but in this game, they showed a defensive aspect of their game that hadn’t needed to be asked for much in previous matches. Just before half-time, Summers-Jones doubled his and Bangor 1876’s tally to make it 2-0 going into the break. The second stanza was somewhat uneventful, with both sides struggling to get a foothold as the rain and wind worsened, not much chances were created and it seemed a 2-0 victory for the visitors was in the bag. However, 10 minutes from the final whistle, Trearddur Bay found themselves with a way back into the game after they were awarded a penalty. Iolo Jones stepped up and converted and the spectators were in for a frantic last 10 minutes as Trearddur Bay gave everything to find that equaliser, 1876 held out for a valuable three points and had struck a crucial blow in the title race.
Bangor 1876 4-0 Waunfawr 06/01/2020
Usually a 4-0 victory would not make it onto one of these lists but Waunfawr are one of those clubs who would always show up against the stronger teams in the division so this was always going to be a tough game for 1876. Bangor came into the game only 48 hours after an away victory at Glantraeth and were weary of the challenge that faced them, but earned themselves a comfortable win against the Beganifs. Cian Williams started the scoring in the ninth minute and goals by Les Davies and Dylan Summers-Jones followed and 1876 went into half-time with a 3-0 lead. The second half was quiet on the goals front as Waunfawr threatned the 1876 goal but to no avail, Sion Parry finished the scoring after netting a minute from time to seal the win, but what was more impressive about this victory was the way 1876 dispatched one of the league’s toughest teams with ease.
Menai Bridge 1-5 Bangor 1876 25/01/2020
Yes, this wasn’t quite a league game in fact it was the second round of the Bob Owen Memorial Shield but it was the first local derby in Bangor 1876’s short history. A quick walk over the Menai Bridge saw Bangor visit the Tigers, as the Tigers were current Gwynedd League champions, everyone knew that this was going to be a tough game and we all love a proper local derby. Menai Bridge took an early lead in this one scoring through Dale Owens after 12 minutes, and a mini shock was on, however it only took five minutes for Bangor to find the leveller through Cian Williams. An even game proceeded with both teams creating chances but also being wasteful in front of goal, five minutes before half-time Dylan Summers-Jones struck to put 1876 in the lead and it was a sickener for the home side who felt they had played the better up to that point. Bangor went into the break 2-1 up. Two minutes after the restart, Les Davies scored to make it 3-1 and Bangor 1876 were in the driving seat, the Tigers had given their all to make it a competitive local derby but unfortunately ran out of steam. Two more goals followed from Bangor through Les Davies and Jamie Petrie and in the end it was a comfortable victory, but this victory showed Bangor’s league credentials to beat the current league champions in this fashion was a real statement of intent.
Bangor 1876 are worthy Gwynedd League champions and have won 16 out of 16 league games, some have been more comfortable than others but they’ve been a breath of fresh air to the Welsh football system and one thinks that this Gwynedd League success is the first of many.
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