| Smyth's goal extends City's winning streak |
| Sunday 19 February 2012 |
 BANGOR City restored their four-point lead at the top of the Welsh Premier thanks to a Mark Smyth goal in a 1-0 win at Bala. The introduction of the substitute made the difference for the Citizens who had struggled to make the breakthrough on a difficult Maes Tegid surface. Peter Hoy delivered a cross into the box after one of his trademark long throws had been cleared and Smyth's shot took a deflection off two defenders to wrong-foot keeper Terry McCormick in the 72nd-minute. The best chance of an evenly-contested first half fell to Les Davies, whose header was hooked off the Lakesiders' line by defender John Irving, while former City striker Lee Hunt saw his shot deflected just wide by a defender at the other end. City keeper Lee Idzi twice denied Hunt who then fired just wide of the far post on the stroke of half-time. Jamie Brewerton had the ball in the next for Bangor six minutes after the break but was ruled offside and Bala had another scare minutes later when McCormick failed to deal with a free kick, but got back in time to save a Chris Jones header. Ben Collins almost deflected a Davies cross-cum-shot into his own net but it took an excellent reaction save from Idzi to keep out Hunt's side-footed effort. City should have increased their lead when Smyth intercepted a poor back pass but his attemped lob over the keeper missed the target. And Bangor almost paid the price for trying to run down the clock when Hunt headed wide deep into stoppage time from a corner, as they extended their winning run to seven games. Photo: Mark Smyth celebrates after socring the game's only goal [Evan L Dobson]. |