Andy's Welsh Cup odyssey takes him to the home of the holders, Bangor City.
reporter: Andy Unwin
After a gap of just under three months, my Welsh Cup crusade re-commenced on the final weekend in January, with a fourth round tie.
Having seen Bangor City sneak a narrow victory over Flint Town united at Cae y my venue for the fourth round was Farrar Road, Bangor as the cup holders attempted to stretch their unbeaten run in the competition to 15 games.
Their opponents were Aberaman Athletic, currently lying in 6th place in the MacWhirter Welsh League (South). However, recent form did not bode well for the visitors who had picked up only one league point out of 18 since their 3rd round cup success against Ely Rangers.
Indeed, there had also been a change at the helm for the team who play their home games at the Golden Acres since the last round.
Mattie Davies had departed to join up with Carmarthen Town and was replaced in the hot seat by former Welsh international and TV pundit, Leighton James.
In stark contrast, Bangor City were in fine form leading into the tie, with only one league defeat in their last seven outings so the formbook suggested a home win.
However, within 18 minutes of the kick off, the visitors took a surprise lead in their first real attack of the game as former Newport County player, John Phillips, volleyed confidently from 12 yards.
The goal provided an impetus for Aberaman and they almost doubled their advantage shortly afterwards but John Kift miscued his effort which ended up safely in the arms of City keeper Paul Smith.
This seemed to be the 'wake up' call the home side needed, as 15 minutes later the impressive Jamie Reed provided a clinical finish from inside the box to level matters.
Following the equaliser, Bangor City seemed to step up a gear and finished the half well on top possession wise, but still level at the break at one goal apiece.
The second half was dominated from start to finish by the home side, spurning enough chances to win numerous cup ties, although the two goals they did eventually score did provide a fair reflection of the play over 90 minutes.
Goals from Craig Garside on 50 minutes and a penalty converted by Jamie Reed three minutes into stoppage time gave a final scoreline of 3-1 in favour of the homeside.
Aberaman and their large vocal contingent of supporters may have left Farrar Road defeated but they could certainly hold their heads high.
So for Bangor City, three more victories stand between them and a hat-trick of Welsh Cup, a feat which has only been achieved by Druids, Wrexham, Cardiff City, Swansea City and Barry Town.
The stage is therefore set for my return visit to Farrar Road on Saturday, 27th February where Llanelli will be the visitors.
The competition is getting serious now, with all eight teams eyeing the trophy which one of them will lift in the final in Llanelli in early May.
So it is a fond farewell to Aberaman Athletic, and it’s a shame I never got to visit the Golden Acres … not this season anyway!
© 2012 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales
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