Brave Mountain Bow Out To Bangor

After victory on penalties against Connah's Quay Town in the second round, Mountain made the journey down the North Wales coast to Bangor to take on Bangor 1876 in the third round of the FAW Amateur Trophy. Leon Pickford, David Walkiewicz, Mark Foster and Aled Reece all returned to the starting lineup.

The home team had much of the possession in the opening exchanges and went close to scoring, only to be denied by Danny Stanton, while Aled Reece fired wide at the other end. On the quarter hour mark, Bangor did get themselves in front. After a Bangor attack had seemingly broken down, Stanton rolled the ball out to Louis Davies. Davies, still facing his own goal, was muscled off the ball and Bangor were able to fire past Stanton. Davies quickly made amends, however, with an equalising goal ten minutes later. Getting forward, Davies picked up the ball and ran at the Bangor defence. He beat two defenders and finding himself one on one, slid the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper to level up.

Just a minute later, Bangor were back in front. Danny Stanton was adjudged to have brought down the Bangor striker before getting to the ball and the referee pointed to the spot. The resulting penalty was dispatched. Mountain continued to fight and were rewarded again with a second equaliser after half an hour. David Walkiewicz won a free kick thirty yards from goal. Captain Phil Lloyd stepped up, curling a glorious free kick into the top corner.

In the second half, Mountain had two early chances to take the lead, but both David Walkiewicz and Phil Lloyd could only fire wide of the post. As the half drew on, Bangor's attacking threat grew greater and they took the lead again after seventy minutes. Bangor striker Les Davies held off his marker, turned and hit a low shot that took a deflection and nestled into the bottom corner. Nine minutes later, Davies had his second and Bangor's fourth, rising up to head past Stanton. Mountain kept fighting, but with just injury time remaining, Bangor added a fifth to settle the tie.

We wish Bangor all the best in the next round. Next up, Mountain are back at Pant Newydd on Saturday, where the visitors are Cefn Mawr Rangers. Cefn had a slow start to the season, but with recent results much improved, it looks set to be an entertaining game.