Newly installed Citizens manager Andy Legg received his first chance to see the squad in action on Tuesday night (2 August) as City entertained Porthmadog at the Bangor University Stadium.

With Legg officially unveiled as the new City manager during a press conference beforehand, the former Welsh international had his first opportunity to assess his players ahead of the new Dafabet Welsh Premier League season.

With several first team players missing through either injury or unavailability, the caretaker coaching staff of Dave Cavanagh and Neil Thomas oversaw operations from the home dugout for the visit of the Huws Gray Alliance visitors.

Jamie Reed again donned the famous Bangor City blue as he partnered fellow trialist Louis Robles up front. Gary Roberts and Ashley Young were elected as the midfield tandem with Christian Langos and Sion Edwards assuming their customary positions on the flanks. A makeshift back four featured Danny Gosset and Cai Owen in the full back roles, and Anthony Miley partnered by another of the evening's trialists.

City started the match positively with plenty of forward drive as Langos, Reed, Robles and Edwards all saw plenty of the ball. It wasn't long before the home side opened the scoring with Christian Langos again finding the target on 7 minutes in an impressive pre-season so far.

However, City failed to capitalise on their early goal and Porthmadog gradually grew into the game. With 15 minutes played, the visitors from the Traeth were level as some poor defensive play allowed Cai Jones to finish with aplomb.

As the half wore on neither side managed to create a further breakthrough although Porthmadog did create a scare for City on 37 minutes when a cross from the right wing was met by a powerful Julian Williams header which flashed wide of Connor Roberts' goal.

Shortly before half time, City seemed to revive somewhat and a smart turn and shot by Louis Robles forced 'keeper Richard Harvey into a fine save.

Half Time: Bangor City 1-1 Porthmadog

Rio Ahmadi and trialist Oscar Durnin replaced Robles and Cai Owen as The Citizens re-shuffled their pack for the start of the second half. Tactically, City adopted a three man back line with Gary Roberts now in the sweeper role in the heart of the defence alongside the two centre backs. Gosset and Durnin moved into midfield positions, with Reed now partnered by Ahmadi.

The change had an immediate effect as City started the half with vigour as they increased the tempo of the match. Christian Langos saw plenty of the ball but also plenty of punishment as his pace caused the Porthmadog defence all sorts of discomfort.

Just before the hour mark, last season's top scorer Ahmadi forced Harvey into yet another good save with a header from a Langos cross. City made further changes and introduced Alex Boss and a trialist as Edwards and Gosset were withdrawn from the action.

Moments later, a free kick on the right hand side of the Porthmadog penalty area was taken by Gary Roberts and his sumptuous effort sailed beyond the despairing dive of the well-beaten Harvey to make the score 2-1 in City's favour.

Porthmadog continued to prove a threat on the counter attack and with 65 minutes played, recently departed former Citizen Chris Jones saw his effort from the edge of the box saved comfortably by Connor Roberts in the City goal.

Shortly thereafter, City extended their lead when Rio Ahmadi found himself in space to make the score 3-1 after good work by Langos who would prove to be a thorn in Porthmadog's side all evening.

As the match drew to a close City made further substitutions as Shaun Cavanagh replaced Ashley Young and Caio Hywel was introduced in place of the trialist centre back. As it was, it would be Hywel who provided the last meaningful action of the match but saw his header strike the crossbar from a late corner kick.

BANGOR CITY:
Connor Roberts (GK), Danny Gosset, Anthony Miley, Trialist, Cai Owen, Christian Langos, Ashley Young, Gary Roberts, Sion Edwards, Jamie Reed, Louis Robles.

Photos: Andre Pepper

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