BANGOR City’s talented squad have really stepped up and shown their resolve since the shock departure of manager Craig Harrison.

The trophy-laden boss left the Huws Gray Alliance side to take up the first team coach role at Connah’s Quay Nomads, which is the latest blow to a squad of which big things were expected at the start of the season.

Many questioned what sort of impact Harrison’s departure would have on the side and set-up overall, but they have not only coped with the loss but have thrived in the three games under director of football Stephen Vaughan Jnr.

Given the start they made to the campaign, seeing Harrison jump ship might have been another telling blow in confidence to a side that was largely brought in by the former TNS boss, but instead they have really come together as a group and produced their most eye-catching football of the season in his absence.

Senior players have really come to the fore to lead from the front, and this in none more evident in the recent resurgence of forward Marc Williams, who has bounced back from a disappointing opening to the campaign to become one of the team’s standout performers in recent weeks.

The former Llandudno and Colwyn Bay star has a tremendous amount of quality with a proven track-record of finding the net at a standard much higher than the second tier, and if he can continue this sort of form for the remainder of their fixtures then it should stand the Citizens’ in extremely good stead.

Another that has really shown his quality in recent weeks is gifted winger Jacob Farleigh, who continues to show why he is held in such high regard and on his day there are few full-backs within the division that can cope with his direct running style and superb final product.

Defender Sam Barnes has marshalled their rearguard with experience and command which has been another huge plus, with the likes of Alex Darlington, Les Davies and new signing Jordan Piggott also catching the eye in what has been a really encouraging run of results.

Catching runaway leaders Airbus Broughton is undoubtedly a tall order given how well they have started and the nature they are winning games, but since their defeat at the Wingmakers, City have won five straight and they will still hold out hope that the title favourites will suffer a collapse of some sort and give them a fighting chance of an unlikely championship.

Regardless of whether or not this happens, they can keep their positive momentum going throughout the winter and spring in the hope that it proves to be a catalyst to some success next time around and convince some of their bigger names to remain at the club beyond this season.

They will be tested severely leading into the festive break thanks to games with Prestatyn Town, resurgent rivals Rhyl and Holywell Town, but if their 9-0 rout over Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochant is anything to go by then Vaughan Jnr’s men are going to be a tough nut to crack for anyone in the division from here on out.

City are starting to finally realise the potential within the squad, and that is an ominous sign for their second tier counterparts.