Lakesiders suffer heavy defeat to the Champions
The Lakesiders conceded back-to-back league losses for the first time this season as the Nomads hit four past us on a poor evening which saw Chris Venables and Kieran Smith sent off.
It was a night to forget for Bala as the Champions came and conquered a poor Lakesiders side which never got going all evening.
Colin Caton’s side had the worse possible start when the Nomads were awarded an early penalty and Callum Morris converted it to get them going for the evening. Craig Curran then made it two before the break before the Nomads continue to find the net in the second-half through Ryan Harrington and Morris once more. To make matters worse, Chris Venables and Kieran Smith were given their marching orders to make the taste of defeat even more bitter.
Morris gives the Nomads a controversial lead
Connah’s Quay were awarded a penalty minutes into the game when Nathan Peate was alleged to have fouled Aeron Edwards in the area despite getting a foot to the ball with his tackle. Morris stepped up to take and convert it to put his side in front as Craig Harrison’s side had the best possible start.
The visitors then looked comfortable in their lead with Bala deciding to push men forward in their efforts of trying to bring the scores level. Chris Sang looked the main threat to the Champions’ lead as he caused nuisance down the left flank for the Nomads defenders. He brilliantly beat two opposition players and set up Dave Edwards who found an offside Paul Rutherford at the backpost bring an to end Bala’s first real opportunity.
Curran collects the Champions a second
Every time the Nomads went forward, they looked threatening, with an overload in midfield causing the Lakesiders all sorts of problems. It was Curran who doubled their lead when he got the final touch on the end of a Declan Poole cross into the area just before the half-hour mark.
They were almost three to the good minutes later when Anthony Stephens clearance in the box came to Aeron Edwards who unleashed a powerful shot from distance which forced Alex Ramsay into an excellent save.
There were then claims for a penalty down the other end of the field by Edwards who went down when attempting to get on the end of Ollie Shannon’s cross, only for the referee to wave away his claims. The Nomads comfortably saw out the time remaining in the first-half to enter the break with a well-deserved lead.
Harrington’s rocket makes it three
Shortly after the break, the visitors continued their dominance, this time it was a stunner from range that gave them added comfort when Harrington tried his luck from far out with an unstoppable strike giving his side a three-goal cushion. Matters got worse for the Lakesiders as Morris grabbed his brace ten minutes later and it was game over with the midfielder smashing the ball home amidst some disastrous defending.
Venables and Smith sent off to close out a dreadful evening
It was only downhill from there for Bala as Venables was then sent off for a challenge on Jamie Mullan. Smith then followed the captain on his long walk to the dressing room when he was also shown a red card for bringing down the same man with Mullan played through on goal. However, the champions were content with their more than convincing victory as they saw out the remaining few minutes to claim their revenge over Bala.
A lacklustre performance by the Lakesiders equalled an embarrassing scoreline as the Nomads punished Colin Caton’s men with Bala struggling for an opportunity to score all game.
The Lakesiders will now look to put bonfire night behind them as we head to Latham Park on Tuesday night to face third-placed Newtown with kick-off set at 7:45pm.
Match Stats:
Bala Town – Alex Ramsey, Ollie Shannon, Nathan Peate, Anthony Stephens, Sean Smith, Kieran Smith, Steve Leslie, Dave Edwards, Paul Rutherford, Chris Sang, Chris Venables.
Connah's Quay – Oliver Byrne, John Disney, Ryan Harrington, George Horan, Jamie Mullan, Callum Morris, Declan Poole, Danny Holmes, Craig Curran, Neil Eardley, Aeron Edwards.
Substitutes
Bala Town – Oliver Southern > Ollie Shannon (68), Danny Walker-Rice > Chris Sang (68), Antony Kay > Anthony Stephens (75)
Connah’s Quay – Paulo Mendes > Neil Eardley (68), Aron Williams > Declan Poole (73), Byron Harrison > Craig Curran (77)
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