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Update

22nd May 2008

Now that we are confirmed as relegated back to the Cymru Alliance we are planning for next season's campaign when we look to be challenging to get straight back up. With no outstanding Premier League criteria to meet, we can concentrate on the playing side and the continued development of the 'off field' activities.

We managed to live within our budget last season which is a major benefit, as we do not want to start a new season in debt, obviously the  current budget will need adjusting with lower gates, receipts and general income - no more big crowds for Bangor derbies.

Gus has been asked to continue as manager and has accepted, he has already spoken to the players he wishes to retain, the majority of whom have accepted new terms, he is also targetting the new players he wants to bring in. Obviously with the close season activity no names will be released until they are confirmed.

I will endeavour to keep you all informed of progress but please be patient with the lack of information that would be interesting to our rivals.

3-1 loss at Port Talbot

20th April 2008

The dream comes to an end with this loss at Port Talbot, which leaves us rock bottom and relegated back to the Cymru Alliance.

A very restricted squad with two reserves Tom & Gareth stepping up as subs and not looking out of place in their contribution.

We started well enough with an early tap in miss, a free header in the 6 yard box and Kehoe special to put us 1 up on 30 minutes. In the strong wind they forced several saves from Jacko, but a slackly defended free kick let their big centre half head back acroos goal for the centre forward to beat Jacko in the air, 1-1 half time.

We still looked OK with the wind behind us, but with Darren marked out of the game, we tired and they got it down and played some good stuff, a free kick again was not cleared and their centre half again got on the end to blast home. We of course threw everything forward and went light at the back, with Kehoe blasting just over. They came back in the last minute with a header glanced over Jacko who struggled through injury throughout the 2nd half. Final score 3-1 and despondency throughout, as it happens a win would have been little help with Porthmadog winning for the 1st time at home unexpectedly against Rhyl. Good luck to them in avoiding the drop, it could have been any of us.

Yesterday's game was not the reason for our relegation, but we rue the loss of 2 points in injury time at Bangor, 2 points in the last minute at Carmarthen and 4 points to Caersws where we should have had more, plus other odd ones here and there, Welshpool unwarranted free kick in the dying minutes, dominating at Newtown and losing etc , etc. The mid season managerial shake up did not help the cause and maybe if Gus had come in at Christmas we cwuld have stayed up, because there is no doubt we were dead and buried at the time and surprisingly still in contention at the final game, with a lot of credit to him, Derek and Mike.

Final team lineup: Jackson, P. Roberts, Hogg, Mitchell, Austin, Kehoe, Gwynedd, Owen, C. Roberts, Thomas, A. Jones, subs Allman, T Roberts, Ewing (injured Boardman, C Jones, Lloyd).

All in all even with its ups and downs I have enjoyed the season we will regroup and be back stronger for it, as when you have a taste for the top level, you want more.

I just want to say thanks to all the players, those who stayed to see it through and the ones who left pre and mid season (they all had good reasons) , everyone gave their all for the cause when asked and should be applauded for sticking to the task and at least giving it a good go throughout the season. Also a big thankyou to our supporters who have been there through thick and thin to cheer the team on.

I will keep developments updated throughout the summer and be back next season to renew the battles.

1-0 loss away at Caernarfon

17th April 2008

Poor game and poor result - very scrappy on a poor pitch with neither side making much impact. In fairness to other teams Caernarfon put out a strong squad and whilst they did not look to be going all out they certainly did not want to give anything away. With a depleted squad and the inevitable formation changes to accomodate the available players, we started fairly well and had a good 1 on 1 which ended up in the keeper's arms. Both sides were reduced to keeping it off the ground, as the surface was not suitable for playing any football, but as they were used to it they faired better and with their tall, physical defence we made little impact. A disallowed goal in first half injury time briefly raised our hopes. 2nd half was much the same with neither keeper unduly troubled and a draw looked favourite, which may have suited us, but a speculative shot through a crowd of players eluded the unsighted Jacko for Caernarfnon to win the game by the only goal. We did continue to try to apply pressure, but they won most things in the air at the back and in reality we only had one half chance that came to nothing.

So it is out of hands other than to win at Port Talbot on Saturday and hope the other two both lose. A big ask and we need the senior players to step up to the mark again and drag everyone through the final game to hopefully complete our season on a high note.

Good luck to all and fingers crossed.