Brobbel’s last-minute winner seals TNS comeback victory
The Lakesiders fell to defeat in frustrating fashion at Park Hall as Ryan Brobbel’s late brace which included a last-gasp winner saw TNS secure a comeback victory.
In what was a top-of-the table clash ahead of kick-off, Bala looked destined to grab an unexpected victory at Park Hall thanks to a first-half Chris Venables penalty before late drama saw Brobbel grab a brace to turn around the scores and see TNS the clinch three points.
The Lakesiders look dangerous in the opening exchanges
Off the disappointment of the weekend, Colin Caton’s men certainly did not look flat in the first few minutes as they showcased that they came to Park Hall looking to get back to winning ways. Paul Rutherford provided the Lakesiders our first opportunity of the game when he made space for himself to pull a shot away in the box only for it to be saved by Paul Harrison.
Venables gives us the lead from the spot!
Lassana Mendes looked to produce the first real opportunity of the game when he delivered a floating cross in towards Venables before the captain was fouled in the area, with a penalty awarded to the Lakesiders.
The captain stood up to take it and convert to give us an early lead at Park Hall!
Bala were back on the attack straight from kick-off and Rutherford almost gave us a quick double when his curling cross which went just over the goalscorer in the box nearly found the bottom corner.
Lloyd pulls off a thrilling save to retain our lead
TNS struggled for opportunities as Bala looked to defend their lead in numbers and catch the league leaders on the break. They first tested Harri Lloyd in goal halfway through the first-half when Ben Clark unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the area, but Lloyd matched it with a fantastic save.
TNS pile on the pressure
With half-time approaching and Anthony Limbrick’s men still trailing, TNS started to push men forward and put the Lakesiders on the backfoot. This intense pressure did result in chances for the home side as Daniel Davies obtained one of those as he got past Oliver Southern on the left flank, before putting his effort into the side netting much to the relief of Colin Caton.
Another opportunity arose for the hosts a minute later when Jonathan Routledge swung in a dangerous cross into the area which went flying past several players before Lloyd collected as Bala entered half-time with a one-goal lead over the league leaders.
Rutherford rues missed clear-cut chance
Following the break, the Lakesiders were presented an opportunity to double our advantage when Venables intercepted a poor TNS pass and played Rutherford through on a one-on-one with Harrison, with the winger seeing his shot saved by the goalkeeper.
Bala appeared settled with their one-goal advantage as we looked to clinch our first victory at Park Hall and hand TNS their first defeat of the season with Limbrick’s men not causing the Lakesiders’ defence any problems. However,Brobbel had different plans.
Brobbel’s curling strike levels the scoring
With TNS failing to break through the Bala resistance and test Lloyd to any real degree, it called for a special moment from one player from the league leaders. Brobbel provided exactly that when he delivered a remarkable effort that curled outside and then inside the post to bring TNS level with eight minutes to go.
It’s a brace for Brobbel as he grabs a last-minute winner
That pain of losing the lead was to become even more excruciatingwhen TNS clinched the win in the dying moments of the game. Brobbel grabbing his brace as he was on the receiving end of a McManus’ cross into the far post. Bala players fell to their knees in disbelief, as in the space of only a few minutes they went from almost conquering the league leaders, to falling to a crushing defeat.
The Lakesiders had fought hard in their efforts of providing what would be our victory of the season, in the top-of-the-table clash. A heroic performance that almost provided what could be reflected on as a season-defining victory, now results in Bala ruing their missed chances and looking back at what could have been at Park Hall.
We now sit nine points behind TNS in first as we drop to fourth in the league table, with Flint overtaking us to second and Newtown moving up to third.
The Lakesiders willlook to bounce back with a victory in the cup on Saturday as we make the trip down to Haverfordwest County looking to progress in the Welsh Cup, with kick-off set for 2:30pm.
Match Stats:
Bala Town – Harri Lloyd, Oliver Southern, Nathan Peate, Anthony Stephens, Brad Bauress,Sean Smith, Kieran Smith, Lassana Mendes, Paul Rutherford, Dave Edwards, Chris Venables.
TNS – Paul Harrison, Chris Marriott, Ryan Astles, Jon Routledge, Ryan Brobbel, Declan McManus, Danny Redmond, Jordan Williams, Ben Clark, Daniel Davies, Ashley Baker.
Substitutes: Bala Town – Ollie Shannon > Dave Edwards (64), Chris Sang > Brad Bauress (84), Danny Walker-Rice > Paul Rutherford (93)
TNS – Adrian Cieslewicz > Ashley Baker (60), Louis Robles > Ben Clark (71)
