The Lakesiders returned to competitive action on Saturday (7th of August) with a Nathaniel MG Cup Second Round tie against Flint Town United. This tie would be a repeat of our Second Round tie back in October 2018, where the Lakesiders breezed past the Silkmen by netting six goals at Cae-Y-Castell to progress to the Third Round.
Colin Caton would name two new signings in his 16 man squad, with Oliver Southern and Chris Sang making the bench following their signings announcements just ahead of kick off.
Walker-Rice wins a penalty mid-way through the first half - Dave Edwards converts the spot kick
Just minutes after having a goal disallowed for a very late offside call, Dave Edwards had the chance to convert a spot kick after Walker-Rice was brought down inside the box. Walker-Rice; who made a lively start to the match, made a dashing run into the box from the left hand side and was brought down inside the box, leading to Dave Edwards having the chance to score his first competitive goal for the club!
Edwards stepped up to the spot and rifled the ball into the bottom left hand corner, giving us the lead on 23 minutes!
Straight from the restart, Flint almost equalised as Jack Kenny clipped the crossbar with a shot from the right hand side of the box.
Both teams lost valuable players through injury in the first half
Sean Smith was forced to come off in the first half, after a crunching tackle with a Flint defender left him worse off and after attempting to run the injury off he could not continue, with Oliver Southern coming on to make his debut.
With 10 minutes to go of the first half, Flint were also forced into a change after Brad Bauress and the Flint keeper collided after a great cross into the box from Walker-Rice, which left both players down on the ground. Thankfully for us, Bauress was able to carry on, but Ryan Woods; the Flint keeper needed to be replaced by former Bala goalkeeper John Rushton.
Threat of an equaliser came shortly after the restart
Just two minutes into the second half, and Flint almost grabbed an equaliser with a header that rattled the crossbar, which thankfully ended up going over the bar.
Substitutes were made shortly into the second half, with Chris Sang coming on to also make his debut for the club as he replaced Danny Walker-Rice. Flint made a change of their own, bringing on new signing Danny Harrison for Telor Williams.
Flint had another chance to equalise, this time a fierce strike from a Flint attacker had to be saved by Alex Ramsay just shy of the hour mark.
A goal was coming, but from which side...
Into the last quarter of normal time, and both sides were pushing for a goal with Ben Maher coming close for the hosts as his free kick just creeped wide of the goal. Will Evans then tried his luck on his weaker foot, but his shot from the edge of the box just trickled past the post, as we entered into the last 10 minutes.
Just a minute after Will's effort at one end, Flint go and equalise down the other end. Ben Nash got on the end of a cross into the back post, and headed the ball past Ramsay in goal to make penalties a strong possibility to determine the winner of this tie!
Both sides then had chances of their own in the final five minutes to try and steal the win, with Alex Jones coming close for the hosts with a shot from inside the box, thankfully his effort went wide. Chris Sang; on his debut, had a golden chance at grabbing the win if it wasn't for John Rushton who sent Sang's header over the bar for a corner.
No winner in 90 minutes - Penalties were to decide who progressed
After 90 minutes of football, penalties were to decide who progressed into the 3rd Round of the Nathaniel MG Cup!
Dave Edwards stepped up to take the first spot kick and his second of the game, and slotted his penalty into the net!
Alex Jones stepped up for the hosts, and saw his penalty saved by Ramsay!
Brad Bauress was next to take for us, and cooly put away his penalty!
Flint's new man Danny Harrison was next, and put away his penalty for his new club!
Calum Woods was our third taker, and placed his kick into the top right corner!
Sam Hart was next for the hosts, and again Ramsay kept it out! Making the score 3-1 to us after three kicks each.
Antony Kay had the decisive penalty, and missed! He rattled the crossbar, keeping Flint with a slim chance of staying in the Cup.
Ben Maher stepped up to take the fourth penalty, only for Ramsay to keep it out again! Alex Ramsay sent Flint out of the Cup with three penalty saves!
The Lakesiders will discover their Third Round opponents in the near future, and will be broadcasted to our social media handles as soon as we get information.
Match Stats:
Flint Town - Ryan Woods, Jake Phillips, Sam Hart, Ben Maher, Ben Nash, Kai Edwards, Jack Kenny, Alex Jones, Callum Bratley, Telor Williams, Conor Harwood.
Bala Town - Alex Ramsay, Calum Woods, Sean Smith, Jonny Spittle, Antony Kay, Kieran Smith, Lassana Mendes, Brad Bauress, Danny Walker-Rice, Will Evans, Dave Edwards.
Goals: 0-1 Edwards (23, pen), 1-1 Nash (83)
Substitutes:
Flint Town - John Rushton > Ryan Woods (38), Danny Harrison > Telor Williams (56), Michael Wilde > Conor Harwood (74).
Bala Town - Oliver Southern > Sean Smith (18), Chris Sang > Danny Walker-Rice (53).
Penalties:
Scored - Flint Town: Danny Harrison
Missed - Flint Town: Kai Edwards, Sam Hart, Ben Maher
Scored - Bala Town: Dave Edwards, Brad Bauress, Calum Woods
Missed - Bala Town: Antony Kay
