12th August 2000:

2nd September 2000: Welsh Premier Cup Group A

Warren Screamer Caps Emphatic Victory

Wrexham opened their defence of the F.A.W. Premier Cup with a handsome victory in this hastily-arranged group match. Welsh Cup holders City did well in the first half, but Robin Gibson’s 42nd minute opener broke their resolve, opening the floodgates for a second half bombardment capped by a sensational first senior goal for Dave Warren.

It was a confident, controlled first half performance by Wrexham against a compact Bangor side which passed the ball well and defended stoutly. Indeed, City threatened when they broke forward, with Paul Roberts and Jamie Hughes lively up front, and Dave Ridler had to be on his toes on a number of occasions to deny them. His central defensive partner, Brian Carey, was fortunate to survive the first twenty minutes though, when he handled a pass to Phil Johnson on the edge of the box, having already been booked for a previous handball. As he awaited his fate, the referee consulted his linesman before surprisingly deciding to take no further action. Mind you, Wrexham also had cause to question the referee with three shouts for a penalty in the first period, the most convincing leading to a booking for Robin Gibson as he protested after he seemed to be flattened in the box.

The first period was characterised by long periods of patient Wrexham possession as they probed Bangor’s defence. The most likely source of a breakthrough was the developing partnership between Darren Ferguson and Hector Sam, with the Trinidadian thriving on the service to feet that the midfielder provides, able to turn and attack or play the telling return pass. Twice in the opening stages Sam twisted and turned on the edge of the box to make space for a shot, forcing an excellent tip-over from Dave Williams, then blasting just over. Sam returned the favour with a return ball which Ferguson hit just wide with Williams scrambling, and was also able to tee Owen up on the edge of the box, but the Welshman dragged his shot badly wide. Just as Wrexham’s wasteful finishing looked to have cost them a half time lead, the Ferguson-Sam axis fashioned the breakthrough. The Scot received a pass from Sam before rolling the ball in to Gibson’s feet in the D, and the winger turned and shot beyond Williams’ right hand and into the corner of the net. Ferguson was again the creator soon afterwards when he sent Faulconbridge away, only for Williams to stand up well and block his shot.

Bangor were demoralised by the goal and struggled from the outset of the second half. The second goal came in the 54th minute, Ferguson scoring from the spot after Matthew Cross handled Carey’s goalbound shot. Forceful running by Roche and Gibson down the right led to Faulconbridge going close with a header, and the striker then missed a straightforward chance after a fluent one-touch move between Sam, Ferguson and Owen left him clear on goal. At least Faulconbridge was able to contribute to the third goal, rising to win a flick-on which sent Sam clear to finish coolly.

Brian Carey was withdrawn soon after, suffering from a pain in his lower back which is not expected to prevent him from playing on Tuesday, to be replaced by Paul Barrett who, despite being laid low by a bug for the last two days, made a welcome return to first team action in the unfamiliar role of right back. Gareth Owen was also rested to give Dave Warren a run-out in midfield, and the young Irishman made a remarkable impact within five minutes. An incisive move into the box left Faulconbridge with a good chance on his left foot, but he opted to try a return ball to Ferguson which was cut out. Sam did well to retrieve the loose ball before laying the ball off to Warren who hit a terrrific first time shot into the top left corner from a good twenty-five yards, dropping in off the bar before the keeper could move. He could have got another within a couple of minutes when Sam should have sent him clear of a bedraggled City defence, but the deluge continued when Faulconbridge showed good vision to hook a Chalk cross back to the far post where Ferguson volleyed in his second goal from close range.

The thrashing was completed by a scrappy goal. Ferguson, now on a hat trick of course, played a short corner to Barrett, took a return ball and unleashed a drive from outside the box which rattled the bar. Faulconbridge hit the post with the rebound, but Mark McGregor lunged into the crowded goalmouth to prod home a rare goal. It capped a productive opening to Wrexham’s defence of the cup – despite lacking so many players that they could only name three substitutes, the fixture was worth arranging as the Reds went home £1,500 the richer with morale boosted.

WREXHAM (4-3-3): Rogers; Roche, Carey (c) (Barrett 64), Ridler, McGregor; Ferguson, Owen (Warren 70), Chalk; Gibson, Faulconbridge, Sam. UNUSED SUBS: Dearden.

BANGOR CITY (5-3-2): D. Williams; E. Williams, Hazelden, Foster; Johnson, R. Williams (Cross 25), S. Williams, Coady (Owen 69), Rowlands; Roberts, Hughes. UNUSED SUBS: Bishop, Comley-Excel, Milliner.

Referee: K. L. Morris

Bookings:
Bangor	Wrexham
Rowlands (pulling Owen’s shirt, 6)	Carey (handball, 12)
Cross (handball, 54)	Gibson (dissent, 16)

Reaction: Brian Flynn

FAW Premier Cup 2000-1