HOME advantage once again played a huge part for Bangor City as they look to bring European football back to the club this season.

Their 1-0 victory over Connah’s Quay Nomads was a further demonstration of the progression the Citizens are making under manager Kevin Nicholson, who now seems to have found the right balance and strength-in-depth within the squad to make a real success of things.

Had they lost this game then the Nomads may have been too far clear to hold any realistic hopes of second place, but now the position is well and truly up for grabs and City will fancy their chances of securing a runners-up spot after a fantastic start to the year.

City currently have the second best home record in the JD Welsh Premier League behind only The New Saints of Oswestry Town, who look poised to claim another comfortable title triumph despite some early jitters following the departure of long-serving manager Craig Harrison.

This form is going to be crucial for the Citizens if they are going to get an edge over their rivals, and another stout defensive performance saw them secure their 11th clean sheet in the league in area that has also been much-improved in recent weeks.

Players such as Dean Rittenberg and Brayden Shaw continue to lead the way in terms of influence on the field and will need to be at their best for the remainder of the campaign if they are to gain their overall objective.

The next few weeks are going to be crucial for a club definitely heading in the right direction, especially when you consider the predicament they found themselves in a few short seasons ago.

With Cefn Druids, Bala Town, Cardiff Met and The New Saints all upcoming, three wins from these four fixtures will stand them in extremely good stead before they take on rivals The Nomads once again in what could be a pivotal clash.

Sandwiched in-between is their JD Welsh Cup clash with giant-killers Penydarren BGC, and this is a realistic chance to obtain some silverware from a season that has exceeded pre-season expectations.

With the club harbouring ambitions of full-time football in the not-too-distant future, achieving European qualification would be a significant financial boost and would also raise the profile of the club on the continent, both of which will do the club an endless amount of good.

It is going to be tight throughout the run-in with no margin for error, and home comforts could be crucial for the Citizens if last weekend’s performance is anything to go by.