Powell refelcts Positively at end of Euro Campaign

Neville Powell has reflected positively at the end of a successful European campaign on Thursday night and hailed his players and a terrific pre-season by stating;

"Our lads have done the City proud again. A lot of people said in the week that we were playing for a bit of pride tonight, but that was never the case.

"Anybody who was over in Portugal last week could see that the lads played with a lot of pride over there."

"Take into account the quality of the opposition and the attitude and the work-rate of my players has never been in question and they've played really well again tonight and it's been great preparation for the Welsh Premier season."

He discussed the pace of the opposition who boasted a host of Brazilians and added;

"We've seen the speed of a few them in the first half, we've got some quick players in our side but they're lightning fast going forward, they're Premiership quality and you put int into perspective we're a part time club with semi professional players and we're playing against some of the top players in the world."

"It was very difficult but my lads stuck to their job and we could have had a coulpe of goals. But over the tie we've scored three goals against them and there are more plus's than a minus's. It was important tonight we put a good shift in and I felt we did and it's perfect for the Welsh Premier Season."

Fairytale

"The last month has been a bit of a fairytale, we've been to Helsinki, we've been to Madeira, we've played against top opposition, the lads have loved it and hopefully we've moved on to that next level.

"I think we need to be able to compete in the Welsh Premier and with the players and the teams and the squads that have been assembled, it's a good challenge that we'll be looking forward to, a difficult challenge, but what better preparation than what we've done over the last month."

Credit to the Players

Powell has always been quick to praise his players and this evening was again no exception as he added;

"All credit goes to those players because they've been proud to wear the Bangor shirt and each an everyone of them have played their bit over the last month and they deserve a big pat on the back."

Speaking about his first thought after his side took an early lead, Powell joked; "It might be six", but he truthfully added "We just wanted to start well and try and win the game, as we do with every game, and to be fair the first 25 minutes again, like it was over in Portugal, we were probably the better side but they just got into us before half-time and hit the post and Paul (Smith) has made some saves, but we've competed with them and that's the main thing."

Powell also has a tremendous relationship with the loyal City fans and he paid tribute to them also;

"You only have to look at the fans who were here again tonight and I keep saying it about them, but they are nothing short of incredible and we were playing for them."

Looking forward to the new season in the re-structured Principality Welsh Premier League with four European matches and a week training in Madeira behind his team, Powell concluded;

"It's great preparation, great experience and fingers crossed it will bode well for the new season, and I'm not saying it will do, but looking at that squad in the dressing room and they look hungry to me and I'm looking forward to it."