Bangor City 1 Rhyl 3
Welsh Premier League
All of the metaphorical signs pointed towards the blues putting up more of a fight in this game than they have in the last few against Rhyl. Bleo had instilled something in the team, to judge from the Llanelli match. You might even say that there was a great deal of optimism about, even I was feeling positive about today's events.
Joel and I departed for this game wondering whether the Rhyl fans would display the same enchanting attitude. I had made some slightly critical comments regarding their preoccupation with all things Bangor City on the internet and I'd been labelled over-sensitive as a result. Apparently I don't have a sense of humour.
After we'd entered the ground my first duty was to pick up my replacement shirt; the last one made me look like a speed skater as it was the players' version. I thought that I'd be getting the players' version in the next size up but it was the replica. The size up in that version is far too big even for me. I found this reassurring, Bangor's not like the cookie-cutter Premiership with their slick marketing.
The crowd seemed to be a lot bigger than usual today, other people obviously felt the same as I did. I was to find out later that a few old faces had returned, where had they been? At first there didn't seem to be many Rhyl fans in here. Those that were here were the normal nice ones. Unfortunately the familar chants were heard outside the ground just before kick off. When they entered I could see the typical tossers. The level of noise was inconsisitent with the actual number of fans, proof that the cliche "empty vessels make the most noise" is true.
Prior to this one of the Rhyl fans stationed himself in front of us. As the others came in he was up to his typical routine of trying to wind us up. Why else would he want to position himself in front of the Bangor fans singing loudly? When he beckoned the other singing Rhyl fans to give him moral support they declined and the toad was off to the other end.
I remember this tosser beacuse he's one of the Rhyl fans that seems to have an unnatural hatred of Bangor. For example, in Rhyl in August we had the temerity to enjoy a leisurly drink in the Millbank Pub after the League Cup game and he was in there propping up the bar. In between insulting us quietly we had his glares for company. Is it any wonder why people don't like Rhyl. Here is suspect No1 for those unsure. His identically mistachioed friend, brother?, was with him and as they went he kept regarding us with suspicion for some reason, as if we were going to set upon them. The failure of both of them to take our end obviously hadn't sunk in as they strode off defiently. The second moustachio returned later in the half to look at everyone, he must have been taking style tips. I suppose it was our fault as we'd all decided to sport Dear Stalkers a al Liverpool c.early 1980s.
The game didn't go as planned because Bangor soon went behind followed up with a second goal conceded. The second came from a free kick which looked suspiciously like it had been won due to a dive by Lee Hunt. Lee Hunt acting in an anti-social fashion, who'd have thought that? Bangor didn't look likely to score but just when you've given up all hope, up popped Walshy to half the deficit, the "Bleo effect". So it was 2-1 at the break.
After half-time the flag was displayed and nearly lost due to the wind. Sion almost scored about a minute into the half but his shot grazed the crossbar. This may have been the pivotal moment of the match as Bangor didn't really get another opportunity to score again. My story of the half was one in which Rhyl did their best to foul Bangor out of their stride. Time and again Rhyl players just took out Bangor's, particularly Sion Edwards. Brewerton seemed to be their chief neanderthal but an honourable mention should go to Lee Hunt. What made that even worse was the fact that the tosser scored the third Rhyl goal.
Ah well there's more to life than football I suppose.
Not turning out as planned just yet
