Another afternoon dominated by a strong wind saw City win after building a 2-0 interval lead with the elements which Newtown could not overturn in the second period. This ensured that all three goals were scored at the St Pauls End.

Bangor gave home debuts to loan defender Jim McNulty, right back Steve Hitchen, leftback Gareth Evans and midfielder Mark Connolly. Upfront their was a recall for Paul Gedman alongside Paul Roberts with left winger Gary Roberts slotting in for Les Davies who honoured his agreement to play for Glantraeth at Welshpool in the Welsh Cup.

Attacking the St Pauls End the first chance fell to Mark Connolly whose header flew wide of the Newtown goal. Both sides forced early corners before Gary Roberts fooled Adrian Moody into a yellow card issued by referee Hames on 18 mins. This led to a freekick on the left infront of the old social club. The alert Connolly took the kick quickly and forced Edwards into a lunging save at the near post, the ball cannoned to Paul Gedman for strike partner Paul Roberts to head home from point blank range.

Minutes later former City defender Anthony Fenton followed him into the book with a reckless challenge on Paul Gedman which again led to a freekick 25 yards out in front of goal. The impressive Mark Connolly stepped up to unleash a powerful drive which forced a good save from the veteran Edwards whose previous experiences of Farrar Road may well have been with Altricham in the Eighties. This generated a second Bangor corner which ended in Peter Hoy heading over.

City keeper Daniel Evans then saved well from the dangerous Futcher before home fans were applauding some calm defending by new right back Steve Hitchen who calm presence was welcomed by his young team mates. Paul Roberts failed to control a long clearance on the half hour which might have led to more before a 5th Bangor corner resulted in a dreadful freekick award in the goalkeepers favour.

Midfielder Gareth Hughes was the third Robin in referee Hames book for a late challenge on young Jim McNulty in front of the dugouts. Unhappily Gary Roberts had also been fouled moments earlier which led to him being replaced on the left by Gareth Williams. The tall slim McNulty - a younger version of Joey Jones in appearance - showed a cool head under pressure from Smith before Mark Connolly stepped in to launch a counter attack.

As half time drew closer Paul Gedman doubled City lead as he slotted home a low cross from right winger Kenny Burgess following a neat pass from Paul Roberts on the edge of the box. Timed at 42 mins this was to prove a crucial strike as City trooped off to warm applause.

The second half opened with Newtown enjoying the backing of a strengthening wind and occasional heavy wintry shower. The confident figure of Steve Hitchen quickly stole in to rob Smith and Barton as the Newtown pair appeared free on the edge of the box. On 51 mins Futcher again struck a freekick goalwards but this time narrowly off target, then Barton headed over from close range.

Newtown then forced three corners on the hour as City struggled to clear, but did so with Mark Connolly sending a powerful low drive on target which Edwards was pleased to hold. Midway through the half Connolly supplied Gareth Williams but his low cross was just behind Paul Roberts which enabled Edwards to save.

Newtown forced a seventh corner which ended in a counter attack but Kenny Burgess failed to capitalize. Then Mark Connolly released Paul Gedman on the right, his low cross was bundled goalwards by Paul Roberts but Edwards saved with his legs. Young Newtown winger Richard Harris brought a good save from Daniel Evans before both clubs sent on subs, Tom Reynolds for Dan Barton for the visitors and then Huw Griffiths for Paul Gedman for City. Gedman appeared to have aggravated a leg injury and promptly left for hospital.

With ten minutes remaining Steve Hitchen swept across to deny Peter Smith, then Evans reacted well after his initial mistake had given Reynolds a glimpse of goal. Winger Gareth Williams then fired well wide from the right, Harris agains tested Evans, before with three minutes left Eifion Jones came on for Kenny Burgess.

On 89 mins Newtown narrowed the deficit as Peter Smith tapped in from twelve yards, but after Reynolds had missed a decent chance to level the scores referee Hames blew for time to the relief of the home support. This was a fine performance form a City side missing several regulars and resting heavily on the guile of Steve Hitchen and his youthful team mates, and of course the St Pauls marksmen.

Bangor City: Daniel Evans, Peter Hoy, Gareth Evans, Jim McNulty, Steve Hitchen, Paul Friel, Kenny Burgess, Paul Gedman, Paul Roberts, Mark Connelly, Gary Roberts
Subs: Gareth Williams, Huw Griffiths, Eifion Jones

Newtown: Edwards, Moody, Giles, Hughes, Fenton, Sudlow, Wickham, Futcher, Barton, Smith, Harris
Subs: Reynolds, Webb, Powell

Report by: Mike Smith