City ride out a storm; Powell is unhappy about robust Neath WELSH PREMIER.

Byline: By KEITH EVANS

Bangor City 1

Neath Athletic 1

NEV POWELL admitted to being utterly relieved to have emerged with no newinjuries and no suspensions from an incident packed clash with Neath Athletic.

Altogether seven players - five from Neath and two from Bangor - were shown the yellow card by referee Darren Adie for a catalogue of bad tackles and verbal outbursts.

City's boss said: "Itwas a bruising gameand I am amazed that Neath did not get at least one player sent off - that is beyond me.

"We played at their place three weeks ago and Neath showed then they are a very physical side, although they have some decent players and can play good football.

"With the Welsh Cup final coming up in a fortnight it was important for us not to get any more injuries and suspensions, which would have happened in that situation.

"Before the game, the referee reminded us that both teams have cup finals coming up and said that neither would want any red cards, but that did not stop Neath being so intimidating.

"At leastwe got a point out of it,whichwas whatwe deserved, if notmore, and it brought to an end a league season that has been satisfying overall."

The goals arrived midway in each half and were both quality strikes, by City's Chris Seargeant after 24 minutes and Neath's Lee Bevan on 72.

Seargeant jigged hisway past three defenders on a tight, mazy run into the visitors' box and steered a low shot from 15 yards past 'keeper Craig Morris.

Bevan's equaliser was another super solo effort, the centre-back swivelling at an angle on the left to explode a 18-yarder that sped beyond Paul Smith.

City, eager to avenge an only-goal defeat to Neath on Easter Monday and having ex-boss Clayton Blackmore among the opposition, began with a flourish.

And captain Marc Limbert went close to scoring a goal on eight minutes with a tremendous volley from10 yards butwas denied by a fine save from Morris.

Bangor dominated the first half, as Seargeant tried an audacious 45-yarder that sailed a fraction too high and the same player was also off target from the edge of the box.

Neath improved in the second period, former City boss Clayton Blackmore seeing his shot deflected wide before Chris Pridham tested Smith once more.

The closing quarter belonged almost totally to the visitors as Bangor lived dangerously and they survived threats by Jarrod Price, Dale Evans and Carl Shaw, although Neath were fortunate not to concede a late penalty.

DRUIDS brought the curtain down on their campaign with a free-flowing display at Plas Kynaston that gave their fans some late cheer.

Chris McGinn's goal on the stroke of half time earned the spoils, but the Ancients had enough chances to have won by a more handsome margin.

Joint boss Waynne Phillips was delighted by the showing, that saw his side finish in 12th spot to boost their spirits ahead of next season.

"I felt that was as well as we've played all season, we kept the ball well and looked composed and fully deserved to win. It was nice to finish on a high note," he said.

"We've had four wins in our last six games which shows we're not a million miles away.

"There are going to be highs and lows, but I feel we're heading in the right direction."

The game's only goal came a minute before the break when McGinn intercepted a stray crossfield pass from Chris O'Sullivan before slotting the ball past advancing keeper Lee Idzi.

The Ancients could have been ahead moments before, Phillips linking well with former Wrexham team-mate Karl Connolly before continuing his charge upfield only to put his lob narrowly off target.

The hosts had a number of chances after the break, defender Timmy Edwards heading over from a corner while McGinn failed to convert at the far post after good work by Osian Jones.

Connolly also brought a brilliant save from keeper Idzi from his glancing header.

DRUIDS: Mullock, Aby, Rowlands, Phillips (Hematinafar 70), T Edwards, Barnett, O Jones, M Powell, Connolly, McGinn (Holsgrove 80), Price. Subs: Wright, C Edwards.

HAVERFORDWEST: Idzi, T Evans, Gilderdale, Coates (Woodrow 81), Elliott, Thomas, O'Sullivan (Hartley 46), Ramasut, Bowen (Robinson 65), Christopher, Hudgell. Subs: Raymond, Briers.

BANGOR CITY: Smith, Swanick, Hoy, Johnston, Killackey (McGuinness 85), Seargeant, Limbert (Hutchinson 77), Walsh, Les Davies, Stott (Noon 77), Edwards. Sub: Morgan.

NEATH ATHLETIC: Morris, Burrows (Pockett 65), Jenkins, Cronin, Bevan, D Evans, Blackmore (Shaw 65), Pridham, Rees, Hill, Price.

Subs: Leigh Davies, G Jones.

CAPTION(S):

Bangor's Sion Edwards beats former City ace Clayton Blackmore in the 1-1 draw with Neath; BANGOR City defender Michael Johnston won the Phil Stanley Memorial Trophy after being voted the Welsh Premier's player of the season by Daily Post readers. Johnston, pictured being presented with the award on Saturday by the Daily Post's acting sports editor Rob Brady, topped the poll out of eight shortlisted players from clubs in North and mid Wales. The 20-year-old beat Caernarfon Town's John Rowley into second place, while Johnston's Bangor team-mate Ashley Stott came third in the vote.