Bangor City v Manchester City 1974/75

City  Corrigan, Pardoe, Donachie, Doyle, Barrett, Bell, Summerbee, Henson, Lee, Marsh, Tueart – subs Daniels, Lambert, Oakes, Law, Leman

FROM THE PRESS BOX

PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS FOOTBALL PINK FINAL 27TH JULY 1974
Manchester City turned on the power to crush the challenge of a brave Bangor side before a 1,588 crowd at Farrar Road last night.
But not before the Northern Premier League side had given City’s galaxy of stars a fright by wiping out an early lead from Rodney Marsh in an entertaining game.
Bangor battled bravely until shortly before half time when Colin Bell restored City’s lead, and from that point the Blues romped away to an easy 6-2 victory.
Criticism is perhaps harsh at this early stage of the build up, but City should have dealt with Bangor in more convincing fashion.
However, match fitness is the prime target and once the new managerial team of Tony Book and coach Ian McFarlane have had time to knock off the rusty edges and formulate their own pattern, a promising season could be in store at Maine Road.
Bell revealed his scoring touch with two goals and Denis Law, second half substitute, also scored twice. Barney Daniels hit the last after a Marsh shot had cannoned off a post.
City newcomer Wayne Lambert, signed from Bangor in a £2,000 deal, also got a chance after the break to reveal some neat touches. But a chance of personal glory in front of his former fans was lost when a close in shot was blocked on the line.
Mike Doyle, at the hub of a back four that played unchanged throughout, revealed he had lost none of last season’s consistency. His tackling was hard, to say the least, but then Doyle knows no other way to play, no matter what the occasion.