First Three Points Of The Season!

First victory of the season comes on the road at Aberystwyth Town in mid-week!

End-to-end from the very start

Both teams looked to set the pace early at Park Avenue, with Aberystwyth looking to counter quickly from every Bala attack. It was us that the first chance fell to when Dave Edwards had the chance to head the ball goalwards from a Lassana Mendes cross, however, his effort was straight at the goalkeeper. Again, Bala attacked with every opportunity, and with Paul Rutherford making his first league start for the Lakesiders, he was keen to make an impact. He set up Edwards with another opportunity moments later yet this time the former Wales international couldn’t direct his shot on target.

Steve Leslie goes close the free-kick!

Back in the starting line-up and aiming to make an impact himself, Steve Leslie had the perfect opportunity to do so from an early free-kick just outside the area for Bala. He stepped up to take it and his effort hit the side netting, teasing theLakesiders fans who thought we had found the opener.

They all count!

After two league games without a goal, the Lakesiders finally broke their duck, through an Alex Darlington own goal following a dangerous Steve Leslie cross. Edwards was awaiting patiently for the cross that was flashed across goal, only for it to be turned in by a Seasiders man, it was the least Bala deserved however after a promising start.

Resilient defending on show

A backline of Calum Woods, Nathan Peate, Johnny Spittle and Ollie Shannon began the game for the Lakesiders and they rewarded Colin Caton’s faith in them by displaying dominative defending. They kept the hosts’ chances to a few as we held on to our lead going into half-time after an impressive opening 45 minutes.

Mendes hits the woodwork!

Following half-time, Balacame out the blocks all guns blazing. The midfield combined well as we looked to break down Aberystwyth’s resistance who looked content to remain in the game at the time being. The hosts did well to limit Bala’s chances to efforts from range, although Mendes almost made them pay for inviting his effort when he struck the bar from 20 yards out.

Comfortable and confident on our way to victory

Despite Aberystwyth trying everything they could to test Bala’s defence, we remained strong and assured as the Lakesiders pushed towards victory with our one-goal advantage. Edwards, who was playing a leading role in attack in the absence of Chris Venables, nearly got a goal of his own when he found space to strike towards goal late on, only for his shot to lack the speed and power to beat Gregor Zabret.

Three points in the bag!

Oliver Southern cleared the ball from a last-minute effort to rescue a point by the Seasiders to ensure the Lakesiders crossed the line victorious and earn our first three points of the season. In what was hard-fought yet relatively comfortable victory, Bala dominated large parts of the ninety minutes and made plenty of chances that on another day could have seen us clinch the win earlier. However, all that matters is that victory was secured and the Lakesiders were finally off the board!

Bala Town will now look to take this momentum into the weekend when the Lakesiders face Brymbo in the Welsh Cup, this Saturday 4th of September, with kick-off at 2:00pm.

Match Stats:

Bala Town - Alex Ramsay, Calum Woods, Jonny Spittle, Nathan Peate, Oliver Southern, Kieran Smith, Lassana Mendes, Dave Edwards, Will Evans, Paul Rutherford, Steve Leslie.

Aberystwyth Town – Gregor Zabret, Thomas Rimmer, Rhys Davies, Mathew Jones, Jamie Veale, John Owen, Harry Franklin, Raul Correia, Owen Orford, Alex Darlington.

Goals –Alex Darlington O.G (27)

Substitutes:

Bala Town – Oliver Southern > Calum Woods (76)

Aberystwyth Town–Sam Phillips > Alex Darlington (52), Owain Jones > Raul Correia (72), David Evans > Owen Orford (85)