Lakesiders come from behind to defeat Newtown and reach semi-finals of Nathaniel MG Cup

Lakesiders come from behind to defeat Newtown and reach semi-finals of Nathaniel MG Cup

A first-half turnaround was enough to see Bala through to the last four of Nathaniel MG Cup as they beat Newtown 3-1 at Maes Tegid.

Alarm bells were ringing when Bala originally went 1-0 down only ten minutes into the game, before Paul Rutherford calmed the nerves with his goal minutes later. Chris Venables then completed the first-half turnaround just after the half-hour mark from a corner as Bala entered the break with the advantage.

While Lassana Mendes added comfort in the second-half when his strike in the area took a deflection and struck the back of the net to ensure the Lakesiders progressed in the cup.

Aaron Williams gives Newtown a dream start

In what was a cagey opening ten minutes, both teams struggled to keep a hold of the ball as winter conditions took over Maes Tegid. However, it didn’t take long for Aaron Williams to get involved as he finished the first opportunity of the game when he was released one-on-one with Harri Lloyd as his low strike flashed past the keeper and Newtown took an early lead.

Paul Rutherford responds

The Lakesiders didn’t trail for long however as with our first opportunity we drew level through Paul Rutherford. The winger cutting in onto his right foot and unleashing an effort that beat the keeper for speed and power as it was an instant response by Bala.

Chris Venables completes the first-half turnaround

Following Rutherford’s equaliser, Bala grew with confidence that they could enter half-time with an unexpected lead following the early setback. Mendes almost gave the Lakesiders the lead when he took on an effort from range which only just whistled over the bar following some great link-up play between Chris Sang and Venables upfront which nearly resulted in a goal from the midfielder.

It could well have been a comfortable lead for Bala at half-time bar two excellent saves by Dave Jones in the Newtown net as he denied both Kieran Smith and Venables’ powerful attempts from range. Bala settled for their one goal advantage entering the break having completed a first-half turnaround against an inform Newtown team.

The Lakesiders extend our lead

The confidence which soared throughout the team before the break transferred over into the second-half as we continued our attack heavy approach. This resulted in a goal ten minutes in as Mendes took his goal creating form from the weekend into the cup, forcing another goal with some luck from a deflection as we added comfort with a third. The goal going down as an own goal by Kieran Mills-Evans yet was created by the determination of Mendes to make something out of nothing.

Bala progress to the semi-finals

The Lakesiders displayed what they couldn’t on Saturday as concentration and control allowed them to play out a comfortable last half an hour creating some half-chances to put the game to bed, but unfortunately not being able to convert. However, the two-goal lead was enough to ensure we progressed in Nathaniel MG Cup into the last four with an impressive win over Newtown.

Next for the Lakesiders will be a trip to South Wales to take on Penybont in Matchday 11 of the Cymru Premier with kick-off set at 14:30 at the SDM Glass Stadium.

Match Stats:

Bala Town – Harri Lloyd, Ollie Shannon, Nathan Peate, Anthony Stephens, Sean Smith, Kieran Smith, Lassana Mendes, Steve Leslie, Paul Rutherford, Chris Sang, Chris Venables.

Newtown –Dave Jones, Brett Taylor, Kieran Mills-Evans, Shane Sutton, Jordan Evans, Aaron Williams, James Rowland, Craig Williams, Ryan Edwards, George Hughes, Naim Arsan.

Substitutes:

Bala Town – Oliver Southern > Chris Sang (89)

Newtown - Jake Walker > George Hughes (46), Nick Rushton > Brett Taylor (66), Liam Thomas > Ryan Edwards (66)