This is what Boxing Day derbies are all about. Around 800 noisy contingents of fans behind both goals - and not a neutral in sight. Add in a slippery pitch, nine goals and not a dirty tackle all game, just right.
City started brightly with another new look line-up forced on Peter Davenport as Paul Friel and Gareth Williams were added to the injury list following the Afan Lido success. Warren Gibbs came in alongside Eifion Jones and Peter Hoy in a three man defence, with captain marvel Alan Goodall moving into midfield with Clayton Blackmore and Les Davies.
It was Kenny Burgess who forced a good save from Ian Willcock before Eifion Jones was perhaps harshly yellow carded for a pull on the left against former team mate Chris Moores. City took the lead on 6 minutes when Alan Goodall kept his eye on the ball to drill a right footer past Willcock from 18 yards. Les Davies was enjoying an outing in centre midfield and launched a powerful run through the Canaries rearguard which ended in a third corner.
On 23 minutes it was 2-0 to Bangor as Ross Jefferies ran down the middle, enjoyed a lucky bounce but kept his composure to supply strike partner Paul Roberts who tapped home from eight yards. Goalkeeper Willcock was becoming a touch erratic as his sliced clearances helped Bangor move forward to the delight of the travelling horde behind his goal. But Caernarfon started to find their feet as Willcock's opposite number Lee Williams made a smart save from the pacey Calvin Davies.
As the game swung end to end a Kenny Burgess cross was headed goalwards by Ross Jefferies but Willcock saved. A clever combination between Aled Rowlands and Ross Jefferies enabled Clayton Blackmore to shoot goalwards, but his rising effort skimmed over. On the half hour the balance of play swung back towards the home side as Carl Rodgers slid home from five yards to cut the deficit.
With ten minutes of the half remaining Caernarfon won their first corner off Warren Gibbs which the tall postman headed clear. It had been an impressive return for the 26 year old Bangor lad who generally stuck to his task of marking the elusive Watkin with relish. In the closing minutes Aled Rowlands drew a superb save from Willcock with a left footed drive from 20 yards after his first effort had been blocked. The home side sprang back but Eifion Jones stood firm and Alan Goodall, foraging tirelessly in the midfield, cleared the danger, effecting an opening for Ross Jefferies who narrowly failed to send the visitors in two goals clear. Half Time; 1-2
Right from the off Bangor moved forward, now attacking the end opposite the social club, with Les Davies curling a superb pass out to the rampaging Paul Roberts who instantly supplied Ross Jefferies, but his effort was saved. The Canaries were denied by Eifion Jones who defended well, but on 50 minutes it was all square as Steve Watkins struck from eight yards.
Typically though, as the home fans celebrated Bangor went ahead once more with two minutes. Captain Alan Goodall combined well with Ross Jefferies to offer Paul Roberts a sight of goal twenty yards out which he exploited with a powerful drive past Willcock. The slippery surface now led to mistakes at both ends as Clayton Blackmore went close, then Chris Moores shot wide from five yards, Paul Roberts sent a clean low drive off target from the left, Lee Williams saved well from Steve Watkins. Peter Hoy continued to marshall his defence manfully whilst Clayton Blackmore remained a calming influence in the heart of the battle.
Moments after Danny McGoona replaced Calvin Davies City had a 69th minute goal to celebrate. A sliced defensive clearance appeared to strike Willcock in the face and fall invitingly to Ross Jefferies who crashed home the lose ball for a 4-2 lead. Moments later a calm decision by referee Brian Bevan who yellow carded Lee Williams for a foul outside the box despite shouts for red from the home fans. Fortunately for Bangor Aled Rowlands and Warren Gibbs were amongst those goalside of the big stopper. The freekick resulted in a corner which tall defender Eifion Jones did well to clear.
Ross Jefferies had a shot held by Willcock before, on 81 minuess, it was 5-2.
Les Davies capitalised on the withdrawl of the beleagured rightback Paul Roberts to charge clear, cut inside and pull back for Paul Roberts who finished calmly from around the penalty spot. City fans celebrated, anticipating a certain victory and a handful of home supporters trooped off to the club. They should have stayed put! On 83 minutes the emerging menace of Steve Watkins struck from the penalty spot after a harsh handball decision against Eifion Jones given by Llanrug linesman MA Williams despite the ball hitting his thigh.
In the last minute it was 5-4 as Steve Watkins shot span up and over Lee Williams to the horror of the blue horde. Happily the game then drifted into injury time and a minute of that resulted in Brian Bevan blowing for time with the nine goals allocated!
City ran to applaud the noisy support, then trooped off with heavy legs but doubtless high spirits after a wonderful derby win.
Bangor City: Lee Williams, Peter Hoy, Alan Goodall, Eifion Jones, Aled Rowlands, Warren Gibbs, Kenny Burgess, Les Davies, Paul Roberts, Ross Jefferies, Clayton Blackmore Subs: Rhys Roberts, Gary Roberts, Huw Griffiths
Caernarfon: Willcock, Roberts, Maloney, Mark Antrobus, Brandreth, Williams, Rodgers, Philips Watkins, Davies, Moores Subs: McGoona, Roberts, Harden
