Europa League Play-Off semi-final preview
Bangor City will head into Saturday’s Europa League Play-Off semi-final (2.30) as favourites but can expect a tough test from a Newtown side who’ll be more than comfortable with their underdog status.
Hosts Bangor are the highest placed seed in the end of season play-off to determine the final UEFA Europa League qualifying spot, after finishing fourth in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League.
Newtown complete the four-way end of season finale after finishing seventh in the table but neither side are strangers to play-off success.
It was through the play-offs that Bangor City marked their last route into Europe when they overcame rivals Rhyl in the 2013/14 final.
A year later, it was Newtown’s turn to enjoy play-off success despite finishing 14-points behind beaten finalists Aberystwyth.
Despite a respectable campaign on the pitch, it has been a turbulent season for Bangor City, who in Gary Taylor-Fletcher are now on manager number three.
Andy Legg’s appointment at the start of the season was heralded a new dawn at the club following a summer board takeover but his tenure was brought to sudden end – Legg’s successor Ian Dawes’ departure was even more extraordinary, and amidst the changes and uncertainty player/caretaker manager Gary Taylor-Fletcher has been able to instill a calming influence to maintain a steady ship.
Bangor would do well to maintain faith with their former Blackpool forward as the club head into the choppy waters of transitioning into a full-time professional outfit this summer.
Coupled with a new assistant who could assist the club meet UEFA/FAW licensing criteria and bring further knowledge of the Welsh game, Taylor-Fletcher possesses enough experience from the professional game to give Bangor’s new full-time status a firm footing.
Winning the play-off final, with the riches of UEFA prize money and European exposure would leave the club well poised as they begin their attempt to re-establish themselves as top-dogs in the Welsh Premier League.
Saturday’s semi-final will arguably represent a bigger test than in the final however.
Newtown’s underdog status fits them like a glove and even without the league’s top scorer Jason Oswell, the Robins are brimming with confidence coming off the back of a strong end to the season.
Under Chris Hughes, Newtown are a smart side who have experienced and overcome play-off adversity before.
Just earlier this season Newtown performed an impressive mid-season turnaround of form – which had even foolishly seen Hughes’ own position under threat. This is a squad which is in no way lacking self-belief and will refuse to acknowledge defeat until the very end.
Favourites Bangor have been warned.
Featured image courtesy of Andre Pepper/Richard Branch/Bangor City FC/Welsh Premier League