Bangor City 1 Cardiff Met 0 (Rittenberg 32′)
Bangor City claimed the Dafabet Welsh Premier League’s final European place following a commanding display against Cardiff Met in the season curtain-closer at the Bangor University Stadium.
Dean Rittenberg’s finish in a dominant first-half from Bangor was enough for the club to qualify for the Europa League qualifying round and net a €215,000 prize money windfall.
Cardiff Met had reached the play-off final in their first season in the top-flight but were unable to penetrate City.
Bangor City join league counterparts The New Saints, Connah’s Quay and Bala Town in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League draws in Nyon on June 21.
Hosts City made their attacking intentions clear from the off as Player and Young Player of the Season nominee Henry Jones tested Met keeper Will Fuller’s reactions in the third minute with a curling right-footed effort.
Fuller was again called upon to prevent his side trailing to an early goal, pulling off a fine save to tip over Gary Taylor-Fletcher’s attempt after a clever short corner from Jones momentarily caught the Students unaware.
Bangor City’s strong start showed no sign off letting up as they dominated possession and reduced Cardiff Met to hitting hopeful diagonal passes in the hope of triggering a counter.
Met were let off the hook when Taylor-Fletcher was picked out unmarked at the far post by Gary Robert’s fine delivery but the Bangor player/caretaker manager could only head wide.
Despite his advancing years and off-field duties with the Citizens, Taylor-Fletcher is undoubtedly one of the finest attacking talents playing in the league.
The former Blackpool striker’s ability was none more evident than on 32 minutes as he instigated the goal that decided the contest.
A quick-footed dribble saw Taylor-Fletcher drop the shoulder and blitz past Cardiff Met’s Bradley Woolridge before feeding the ball into the area for Rittenberg, who was composed enough to slot the ball low past Fuller into the bottom corner.
Advantage Bangor City as Rittenberg marked his birthday with a goal – his third of season, ironically all of which have come against the Students!
Cardiff Met ended with opening period with a late flurry of corners but in truth had offered little to test Connor Roberts.
It was not until the second-half introduction of highly-rated winger Jordan Lam did Cardiff Met show any menace in the final third. Lam unleashed a stinging shot from outside the box in which Roberts did well to beat away.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher’s decision to replace himself on the hour mark saw Bangor lose tempo with the hosts dropping 10-yards deeper and the game taking a grittier turn.
Cardiff Met, now playing with a five-man midfield, were able to break up Bangor’s stranglehold of possession and Adam Roscow momentarily thought he had scored on 66 minutes but was correctly adjudged by official Bryn Markham-Jones to have handballed whilst bringing the ball under control.
With the game becoming stretched, Bradley Jackson’s surging run down the right brought another good save from Fuller and the goalkeeper almost gifted Bangor a second goal when his failed clearance fell short to substitute Sion Edwards just outside the box, but Cardiff Met went scott-free as the City veteran could only manage a tame reply.
Fuller then prevented Bangor from extending their lead when Edwards latched onto Henry Jones’ pass.
Despite the growing sense of urgency in the latter stages with time running out, Cardiff Met were unable to impose themselves inside Bangor’s half and the Citizens were able to see out the threat.
Player ratings
Bangor City: 1. Connor Roberts 7, 2. Laurence Wilson 6 , 16. Danny Gosset 8, 30. Paul Connolly 6, 5. Anthony Miley 6 , 6. Gary Roberts 7, 25. Gary Taylor-Fletcher 9 (11. Sion Edwards 62′ 7), 8. Damian Allen 7 (14. Yalania Baio 79′ 6), 7. Brad Jackson 8, 10. Dean Rittenberg 7, 27. Henry Jones 7.
Cardiff Met: 1. Will Fuller 7, 27. Matt Taylor 6, 3. Kyle McCarthy 6, 4. Bradley Woolridge 6, 5. Emlyn Lewis 7, 16. Josh Barnett 6 (6. Ben Bowler 62′ 6), 7. Eliot Evans 7, 18. Will Evans 7, 9. Adam Roscrow 7 (17. Gwion Howell 85′ 6), 10. Charlie Corsby 7, 39. Rhys Thomas 6 (11. Jordan Lam 46′ 6).