The Lakesiders cruised to victory in the Gwynedd derby as Dean Ebbe’s debut goal inspired us to victory along with Ollie Shannon’s brace against Caernarfon.
An exciting performance throughout the ninety minutes saw Bala work tirelessly for the win. Ebbe scored late into the first-half on his debut to reward both his, and his team’s hard work. Before Ollie Shannon bagged a second-half brace on our way to a comfortable victory which included an opposition man being sent-off for two yellow cards in the space of a minute.
Dean’s dream debut
Our new loanee signing displayed the quality he possesses in the early opening quarter of the game as he caused the Cofis’ defence all kinds of problems. He obtained an early couple of opportunities to get his debut goal. His first coming when he saw his effort deflect just past the post. While his second came even closer as he had the composure to round the goalkeeper, but not to find the back of the net as he remained determined to get off the mark.
Ebbe got exactly what he was hoping for though minutes laterhowever when he nodded in the opener just past the half-hour mark. A pinpoint corner provided by Brad Bauress found its way to our new signing who headed home his first goal in Bala colours.
Caernarfon down to tenmen as Bailey’s sent-off
The visitors’ task of coming from behind was made harder when Joshua Bailey was shown a yellow card twice, within the space of a minute, to see his side down to ten men. He was given his marching orders as the Cofi's took a sucker puncher ten minutes into the second-half.
Despite the setback, this did not hold back Caernarfon as they pushed for an equaliser. Alex Ramsay denied them a leveller when he pulled off a smart save from close range that then set us off on a counter-attack. Ebbe playing through Will Evans on the break who cut in and curled an effort just wide of the post.
Finally, Shannon gets his goal!
After countless shots at goal in his own personal attempt to leave a mark on the derby, Shannon got what he deserved with little less than twenty minutes remaining. As the midfielder turned in an Evans cross from the left flank to double our advantage and set us well on our way to victory.
Shannon secures bragging rights
Long-serving Lakesider Kieran Smith looked to get in on the action with a shot of his own which came off the post!
It was Shannon who clinched daylight when he grabbed his brace with a composed finish in the area to cap a marvellous night at Maes Tegid which saw us move closer to securing our place in the Championship Conference. We remain in fifth, however we are now five points clear of Caernarfon in seventh while only two points behind Penybont in second.
We head to The Oval next to play the reverse fixture against Caernarfon, next Saturday, February 12th with kick-off set for 17:15pm.
Match Stats:
Bala Town - Alex Ramsay, Oliver Southern, Antony Kay, Nathan Peate, Sean Smith, Lassana Mendes, Kieran Smith, Will Evans, Ollie Shannon, Brad Bauress, Dean Ebbe
Caernarfon Town – Tyler French, Iwan Cartwright, Joshua Bailey, Gruffydd Williams, Dion Donohue, Sion Bradley, Daniel Gosset, Mike Hayes, Darren Thomas, Rob Hughes, Noah Edwards
Substitutions:
Bala Town – Calum Woods > Oliver Southern (60), Danny Walker-Rice > Will Evans (86), Paul Rutherford > Brad Bauress (90)
Caernarfon Town – Cai Jones > Mike Hayes (54), Josef Faux > Rob Hughes (59)
