The Lakesiders booked their place in the Nathaniel MG Cup this past weekend, having battled against last year's finalists; Cardiff Met, in a bid to go one better than last season's edition of the cup, having been knocked out by eventual winners, Connah's Quay Nomads.
Having lost out to the Met in our most recent league fixture, it was a chance at redemption, while also attempting to reach the Final of the Nathaniel MG Cup for the first time since 2015.
How's It Not Crossed The Line!
In the opening stages of the match, both sides had their chances on goal, as the visitors clearly demonstrated their attacking intent within the first two minutes, although thankfully there was no early goal to contend with.
Lassana Mendes looked to create a goal with a delicately chipped ball behind the defence into the path of Dave Edwards, who struck the ball on the volley towards goal, yet Alex Lang got down well with his feet to clear the ball away from danger.
After the ball was recycled back to the Bala attacking contingent, Naim Arsan looked to have put the ball on a plate to Chris Venables, as he received the ball across the box, but his shot looked to have been blocked on the line, which led to scramble a on the goal-line, but the Met were able to clear once more.
The Captain Punts Home
After the earlier goal-line scramble, this time the ball fell to the feet of Chris Venables once more, after a deflected cross from George Newell looped towards the goal, the Captain was on hand to poke the ball home from close range, giving the Town the lead after 20 minutes!
The Met looked to grab a goal back before the interval, and if it wasn't for Ross White, it's pretty certain they would have done so! Harry Owen for the Met looked to have found himself with the ball inside the box with time to shoot on goal, but in came the sliding Ross White who timed his tackle to perfection to deny a clear shot on goal.
Was That Naim Arsan or Lionel Messi?
The Town headed into the break with a one goal lead, and came out for the second half looking to hold on to the victory and progress to the Final.
Despite the majority of the World population watching Lionel Messi star for Argentina in the FIFA World Cup this winter, the supporters of Bala Town and Cardiff Met witnessed a glimpse of some Messi-like dribbling from our left-back Naim Arsan, who took the ball past one, two, three, four Met players, with his quick feet and his superb agility, and managed to win a free kick around 25 yards out in a good position for a shot on goal. Unfortunately, the free kick came to nothing.
Alex Ramsay was called into action having not been too busy throughout the match, as the Met's Jac Davies sent a curling effort towards the far post in an attempt to grab the equaliser, yet our shot-stopper was there to push his effort away from goal, and the Lakesiders gained the possession.
Dangerous Dave Sends Bala Into The Final!
As the game entered its final moments, the visitors still looked for an equaliser and take the match to a penalty shootout. However, just five minutes from the ninety, Dave Edwards popped up on the edge of the box and struck a half volley which was too hot-to-handle for Alex Lang in goal, as he palmed Edwards' effort into the roof of the net, giving the Town a 2-0 lead heading into the final few minutes!
There was no reply from the Met, as the Lakesiders booked their place in the Final of the Nathaniel MG Cup for the first time since 2015!
Line-Ups:
Bala Town - Alex Ramsay, Naim Arsan, Nathan Peate, Ross White, Oliver Southern, Kieran Smith, Dave Edwards, George Newell, Paul Rutherford, Lassana Mendes, Chris Venables
Cardiff Met - Alex Lang, Matthew Chubb, Kyle McCarthy, Emlyn Lewis, Eliot Evans, Chris Baker, Harry Owen, Chris Craven, Jac Davies, Dixon Kabongo, Sam Jones
Goals:
Bala Town - Chris Venables (19), Dave Edwards (86)
Substitutes:
Bala Town - Adam Roscrow > George Newell (74), Ollie Shannon > Paul Rutherford (84), Luke Wall > Chris Venables (90+1)
Cardiff Met - Lewis Rees > Eliot Evans (61),
Yellow Cards:
Bala Town - N/A
Cardiff Met - Sam Jones (52), Jac Davies (64), Matthew Chubb (84)