The Lakesiders secured bragging rights for the second time this season at Maes Tegid with an impressive 2-0 win over Caernarfon.
Dean Ebbe continued to cause the Cofis nightmares as he grabbed his fourth goal against them this season late in the first-half. While another injury-time goal this time by Ollie Shannon who came on in Ebbe’s place made it a comfortable victory in the end with his last-minute strike.
Bright Bala start
Our new look attack which has started to click in recent league games brought an attacking approach to the opening exchanges. Calum Woods looked lively down the right flank supporting Paul Rutherford before the defender was forced off with an unfortunate injury. Kieran Smith was denied two early chances by both a defender and the Caernarfon goalkeeper as we searched for an early lead.
Ramsay pulls off save of the season contender
For not the first time this season Alex Ramsay proved why it’s hard to argue that he isn’t the best shot-stopper in the Cymru Premier right now. Our No1 pulling off yet another save of the season contender when Sion Bradley unleashed an effort that looked to have beaten him, but somehow the goalkeeper’s reflexes proved too much as he pulled off an unbelievable save.
Ojrzynski’stime to shine
Down the other end not much later it was Jakub Ojrzynski’s turn to pull off a fabulous save as he denied Dave Edwards’ half-volley that was headed straight for the back of the net. Again, Ojrzynski was alert to prevent a strong Nathan Peate headed effort from a corner as he tipped it over the bar with another great reflex save.
Later, Chris Venables looked certain to give us the lead when he received the ball inside the area with some time to manoeuvre but his first touch allowed the Cofis’ goalkeeper to pounce and stop the danger.
Faux strikes the bar!
If it wasn’t Ramsay there to deny Caernarfon then the woodwork was when Joe Faux’s thunderous strike late in the half looked to have beaten our goalkeeper just not the bar.
Ebbe loves a Gwynedd derby goal
On the stroke of the half-time, Bala took the lead through who else but Ebbe. The man who had already scored in both Gwynedd Derbies already this season with a simple tap-in to add to his tally thanks to a composed Chris Venables’ assist inside the six-yard area.
A handful of Lakesiders’ chances go close
Following half-time, the Lakesiders looked eager to add some much-needed comfort with Caernarfon very much still in the game. Will Evans pushed forward on every opportunity looking to double our advantage. Our first real opportunity of the second-half fell to him too as he struck the side netting from a break lead by the goalscorer Ebbe.
The following minutes involved chance after chance for the Lakesiders which either saw the Caernarfon goalkeeper or backline get in the way of a second for Bala. With a little more room and time to tries his luck Edwards did so from around twenty yards out, but his curling effort went past the wrong side of the post.
Venables looked to get himself back amongst the goals with his powerful effort which looked to have beaten Ojrzynski but not the post as it came bouncing back into the welcoming arms of the goalkeeper!
Shannon wraps up the three points
Shannon came on for the remaining minutes in place of Ebbe and he was able to get onto the scoresheet with the second injury-time goal of the game. Venables providing his second assist of the game with a neat cross into the awaiting midfielder who headed home his sixth league goal of the season.
That goal clinched our second Gwynedd Derby win at home this season in an important victory that sees us continue to hold a firm grip of our second-place spot despite Newtown picking up an unlikely win at the home of the league leaders.
Up next for the Lakesiders is a six-pointer against Penybont with both sides eager to take an important step towards claiming the European spot. We will travel down south to take on the Bont at the SDM Glass Stadium next April 2nd with kick-off at 14:30pm.
Line-ups:
Bala Town – Alex Ramsay, Calum Woods, Antony Kay, Nathan Peate, Sean Smith, Kieran Smith, Paul Rutherford, Dave Edwards, Chris Venables, Will Evans, Dean Ebbe
Caernarfon Town – Jakub Ojrzynski, Sion Bradley, Dion Donohue, Iwan Cartwright, Gruffydd Williams, Darren Thomas, Noah Edwards, Aaron Simpson, Cai Jones, Joe Faux, Mike Hayes
Substitutions:
Bala Town – Oliver Southern > Calum Woods (7), Ollie Shannon > Dean Ebbe (84), Lassana Mendes > Paul Rutherford (94)
Caernarfon Town – Laurie Bell > Cai Jones (84), Joshua Bailey > Joe Faux (85)