Bangor City 1876 came in to the game clear favourites in everyone's eyes except for Pontardawe Town who had a belief in our young side and we pushed the club, that has walked the Ardal North West league, all the way. There was little difference between the two teams but the North Wales side were more clinical when their chances came.

Bangor had the edge in terms of supporters but there was also great support for Town as we left at 8:15am for the 12:30pm kick off at Aberystwyth Town's Parc Avenue ground. We had a quick stop on route for a coffee and arrived at Parc Avenue just before 11am.

The game started with the North Wales team on the front foot and their start was rewarded with a headed goal from Declan Mcmanus, a Scotland Under 21 capped player who has played with a host of professionial sides including Aberdeen and Fleetwood Town. Unfortunately both Mcmanus and Town's Steffan Jenkins were injured in the collision. There was a lengthy delay as the medical staff dealt with both players who were taken off the field and both players went to hospital. We wish them both a speedy recovery.

The goal seemed to settle Pontardawe Town who recovered from their start and went on to cause their opponents a lot of problems as they sought what was becoming a deserved equaliser. Two youngsters, Jess Meacock and Ollie Nedza, stood out as the Bangor defence struggled to contain them

After the break Town continued to push for an equaliser and came close on a number of occasions whilst Nat Osborne in the Town goal was on hand to stop any Bangor City efforts. The game turned on the 64th minute though when Bangor won a free kick. Nat made a great save but the ball rebounded and it was bundled home by Adam Long in front of the City supporters.

Town continued to push and in the last quarter were the team looking more likely to score but risked being caught on the break. Unfortunately that happened and Tommy Creamer extended the lead to 3-0 in the 79th minute. Pontardawe didn't sit back though and got a deserved goal through Jake Barrow who almost immediately scored a second as his shot just went outside the upright.

The game came to an end with the Bangor City players and supporters celebrating their win but knowing they had been in a tough game against a superb performance by every one of the Pontardawe Town lads. The scoreline doesn't reflect the game, and we definetely feel we never got the rub of the green from the match officials, but many congratulations to Bangor City 1876 on their win and well done to their supporters who came in big numbers and made it a fantastic atmosphere.

The journey home was not a sad one but a celebration of our journey to the final and the performance that we put in. Our thoughts were also with Steff, and Declan, who we heard were recovering well

Man of the Match (Sponsored by Harmony Windows Ltd)
Jesse Meacock / Ollie Nedza