October 29, 2019 - 2485 views
Colwyn Bay produced a stunning finish to win 3-2 at Bangor after being 1-2 down with six minutes of normal time to play.
Julian Williams had put them in front in the first half, but Bangor equalised just before half-time and then took the lead early in the second half.
But in a storming finish Tom McCready equalised with a free kick on 84 minutes and substitute Joe Chaplin got the winner in added time.
The Bay started the game well, forcing three free kicks inside the Bangor half in the opening six minutes and from their second corner on 13 minutes Matty Russell had a header parried away by the keeper before Will Bell fired a good chance over the bar.
Andy Coughlin had to make a good save from a quick Bangor break, but the Bay took the lead on 26 minutes when Mitch Bryant's run and angled shot hit the bar post and Julian Williams slid to knock in the rebound.
Bangor came more into the game after that, heading a good chance over the bar before equalising on 40 minutes. Andy Coughlin couldn't hold onto a 25 yard free kick and Yalany Baio slammed home the loose ball from close range.
Five minutes into the second half Bangor scored again to take the lead.
Colwyn Bay only half cleared a free kick into the area and when the ball was played back in Simone Rea scored with another close range effort.
The Bay replied by forcing three corners in quick succession, from which they had two shots blocked in the goalmouth, and had a penalty shout for handball waved away by the referee.
Joe Chaplin came off the bench for Damien Ketley was unlucky with a header that hit the bar, and Bay forced three more corners, with Will Bell having a header saved by the keeper from the last.
The equaliser came on 84 minutes when Mitch Bryant was fouled 25 yards from goal and Tom McCready again stepped up with a trademark free kick, curled in off the post.
Andy Coughlin made a good stop from a well struck shot from the edge of the area, but after Mitch Bryant had broken free inside the area only to fire over the bar, Joe Chaplin snatched the winner as they game entered nine minutes of added time.
Another Bay free kick into the area was headed on and it fell for Chaplin to fire a shot in off the post. Mitch Bryant slid into make sure the ball hit the back of the net, but Chaplin said afterwards the ball was already over the line and he is claiming the goal.
That was Bay's sixth win in a row in the space of a month to put them clear in second place in the JD Cymru North table.
Manager Craig Hogg commented: "You have to give the player so much credit.
"That is the best part of seven games they've played in four weeks, including the game at Bangor that was abandoned after 74 minutes, and the effort the players have put in has been gigantic,
"Every single player in that dressing room is carrying an injury of some sort and playing through it. Sion Edwards has been struggling for a while with a thigh injury and picked up another injury in an accident at work this week, yet he's turned up tonight and put in a real shift for the team.
"There is a never say die attitude in the squad and to come to a place like Bangor, against a full time team, and put in a performance like that after the month we have had is unbelievable.
"They've given absolutely everything for the supporters and the club and I'm immensely proud of every one them.
"Now we have a much needed break (with no game Saturday) and we'll send the players away to switch off from football for a week to rest minds and rest bodies so we can be as best prepared as we can for the Welsh Cup game at Nantlle Vale."
Reproduced with thanks to Colwyn Bay FC.
