Good first pre-season run out for Bala

Bala’s first pre-season friendly of season 2011-12 and many fans were excited and curious to see the new summer signings and trialists. Our first pre-season friendly was Market Drayton who are currently in the Evo-Stick South Division 1 (8th in the English pyramid). The journey took about hour and half and the ground was easy enough to find. With the quality signings Colin has made, we were expecting a good result and game, we were not disappointed.

1st Half Team

1. Terry McCormick

2. Stuart Jones

3. Owain Roberts

4. Trialist A

5. Mike Byron

6. Conall Murtagh

7. Trialist B

8. Mark Jones

9. Lee Hunt

10. Trialist C

11. Peter Doran

The 1st half started slow, Market Drayton were very much up for this so this result could have gone either way. Decent passing on the floor by Bala. Defence looked solid and organized also talking to each other which is very good sign. Midfield looked very quick, newcomers Murtagh and Doran looked very sharp. Trialist B in right mid, very quick, great passing and crossing the ball in to the box regularly. Very promising player and pleased the Bala fans with his performance. 28th min came the 1st goal by newcomer Lee Hunt, flicked the ball over the keeper and made it looked easy.

A second goal came shortly after again from Hunt. Lee Hunt is a natural goal scorer and many supporters are looking forward to more goals this coming season.

2nd Half Team

1. Terry McCormick

2. John Irving for Stuart Jones

3. Owain Roberts

4. Danny Williams for Trialist A

5. Mike Byron

6. Conall Murtagh for Ross Jefferies

7. Trialist B

8. Mark Jones

9. Chris Mason for Lee Hunt

10. Trialist C for Trialist D (75th min?)

11. Peter Doran

2nd half - Bala dominated the majority of the half, with superb passing by Mark Jones. 3rd goal approached during the first ten minutes from a tap in by Mason from a pass by Trialist B. 4th goal came from Trialist C with a decent goal from just inside the box. Chris Mason scored the final goal (his second) a cracking shot from outside the box. Final score 5-0 Bala.

Overall the fans were happy from the performance and in my opinion every player gave 100%. The team looked more determined and stronger this season, very promising.

But time will only tell. This is only the 1st game and we still have a lot of work to do to for the upcoming season. On the other hand the un-named Trialists looked very promising and pleased the Bala fans. Colin has obliviously done his homework this summer and we’re all looking forward to start the new season. So let’s get behind Colin and the lads and support the club as best we can!

We would also like to thank the Market Drayton committees for the welcome that we received. We enjoyed their company and they were very nice people. We wish you all the best for the future and hope to see you again.

Ground - 6.5/10 – Decent set up with main stand in middle and a wooden stand behind one goal. Next to the stand was a porta cabin from which they sold refreshments. Only let down for me was that porta cabins were used as changing rooms! (Which I think). Cymru Alliance standard.

Parking – 6/10 - Parking was right next to the rugby field and a bit of a walk to the ground.

The Game – 9/10 – 5-0 win and interesting to see our new players.

After Match – 7/10 – After the game we went to the social club for a few drinks where about 20 Bala fans sat outside in the sun with a nice pint. Small clubhouse but just ideal for what its used for. Journey back was fine. But we would like to know if Jonah and the rest got home after seeing them not coming off the roundabout and staying on it for a while! Lol!

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• Market Drayton