Opening day defeat in the scorching heat of South Wales was the story, as the Lakesiders fell to a 2-0 defeat to Penybont to kick off our Cymru Premier campaign.
A double for Rhys Kavanagh in the space of five second half minutes gave the hosts a deserved victory, in a frustrating afternoon for the Town.
Bont Start The Strongest
It didn't take long for the hosts to get a foot-hold in the match, as Nathan Wood almost put his side in-front early on, as he struck the inside of the post with Ramsay beat, but luckily the ball somehow stayed out and went past the opposite post. With quarter of an hour gone, Bont had another great chance after a mistake up the field led to a counter attack, but a tame effort was easily saved by Ramsay.
Drinks Break Needed
It was a tough opening 20 minutes for the Lakesiders who struggled to get into the match, and thankfully in the blistering heat, both sides went for their designated drinks break to hydrate, which gave the Town a chance to regroup after the tough start.
Following the drinks break, the Town slowly grew into the game, with some nice one touch football in the middle of the park, however there were no clear cut chances made. There were calls for a penalty to the Town, after an alleged handball from a Bont defender inside the box, however the calls were waved away by the referee.
Hosts Deservedly Take The Lead
Despite the Town growing into the game after the first 20 minutes of the first half, the second half started the same as the first, but this time, the hosts took their chance and took the lead. Rhys Kavanagh got on the end of a chipped ball through, and managed to loop the ball over Ramsay with Nathan Peate attempting to clear the ball off the line, only for the clearance to hit the inside of the crossbar and into the net.
Kavanagh Double & Snaith Red
Within five minutes of his first, Rhys Kavanagh grabbed his second with a well taken finish, as he got on the ball in the final third and hit a strike to Ramsay's left hand side to double his side's advantage.
As time ticked on, there were no signs of Bala pulling atleast one back, however our chances increased as Bont substitute Sam Snaith was given his marching orders for an apparent elbow on Antony Kay as the pair contested a header.
Bont Hang On
Despite finishing the match with 10 men, the hosts held on for the 2-0 victory, although there were late shouts for a penalty from the Town, as Lassana Mendes looked to have been brought down inside the box, only for the referee to book our Midfielder for apparent simulation and Dave Edwards also joined his fellow Midfielder for his argument against the referee's decision.
The Town now move on to Matchday Two in the Cymru Premier, as we return home to face Haverfordwest County at Maes Tegid on Saturday 20th of August, with kick off at 2:30pm.
Line-Ups:
Penybont - Kelland Absalom, Mark Little, Kane Owen, Ashley Evans, Dan Jefferies, Kostya Georgievsky, Lewis Harling, Nathan Wood, Kai Whitmore, Keyon Reffell, Billy Borge
Bala Town - Alex Ramsay, Ross White, Nathan Peate, Antony Kay, Oliver Southern, Ollie Shannon, Kieran Smith, Dave Edwards, Lassana Mendes, Paul Rutherford, Chris Venables
Substitutes:
Penybont - Rhys Kavanagh > Lewis Harling (24), Sam Snaith > Rhys Kavanagh (75), Tom Tweedy > Nathan Wood (90+2)
Bala Town - George Newell > Paul Rutherford (60), James Davies > Ollie Shannon (81)
Goals:
Penybont - Rhys Kavanagh (58, 63)
Red Cards:
Sam Snaith (78)
Yellow Cards:
Penybont - Mark Little (90+1)
Bala Town - Kieran Smith (45+1), Lassana Mendes (85), Dave Edwards (85)