Fans can roar City to victory says boss

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Published on Thursday, 05 July 2012 08:39

BANGOR City boss Nev Powell says the fans can roar his side to victory over Zimbru Chisinau of Moldova in tonight's Europa League clash.

European football returns to the city for the first time in 14 years as Nantporth prepares to stage its first tie.

And Powell also belives the Citizens have an advantage after the legs were switched to give his side home advantage in the first leg.

"We were out of the hat as the away side first, but then discovered two clubs use Zimbru’s stadium so we had to wait another couple of hours before finding out we’d be home first," Powell told the Daily Post.

"To be honest we were pleasantly pleased. I think it gives us a little advantage in that we’ve got the opportunity to have a first crack at them at home in front of our own fans.

"Hopefully we can sell 1,100 tickets and create an amazing atmosphere at Nantporth. I know from experience that a capacity crowd watching Bangor City can raise the players’ performance 10 to 15%."

But Powell admits City’s first meeting with Moldovan opposition in Europe will carry a large element of mystery.

"We don’t know a lot about them, but we’re told they’ve got a squad of 35 players with a lot of Ukrainians and Romanians and eight or nine internationals so we expect them to be very good technically," he added.

We’ve got the opportunity to have a first crack at them at home in front of our own fans.

"But we’ll give it a real go and hopefully travel over there with a bit of a lead. We know it will be very difficult in Moldova; it’s not the easiest of places to get to, we’ll be playing in 40 degree heat, but we’ll be determined to give a good account of ourselves.

"If we can get through then we’ll face Young Boys of Switzerland in the next round. They are a big club so there’s a real incentive there for us."

The hardest task for Cefn Druids' manager Huw Griffiths has been to decide who will miss out on the home tie against MyPa-47 at Wrexham.

"The lads have been magnificent and deserve their chance tonight, and the hardest part for me has been telling some of them they will not be involved in such a prestigious game," he said.

"They all deserve to be involved but as a manager you have to make some difficult choices, and that’s the worst part for me.

"We have a full strength squad, but we know we will be massive underdogs as MyPa are in mid-season and have the best defence in their league.

"But the important thing is that everyone at the club embraces the occasion, thoroughly enjoy it and take what we learn from it into next season.

"The good thing from the club’s point of view is that everyone is taking about the club in a positive manner, and this is a massive chance for us."