Bala Town 1 - 0 Witton Albion

Bala Town
1. Terry McCormack; 2. John Irving; 3. Stef Edwards; 4. Stuart Jones; 5. Mike Byron; 6. Conall Murtagh; 7. Trialist A; 8. Mark Jones; 9. Chris Mason (45min Trialist B); 10. Liam Loughlin (Stuart Hayes); 11. Peter Doran.
Subs not used: Ste Fisher, Danny Williams, Trialist C(GK)

Witton Albion:
1. Matt Cooper; 2. Anthony Gardner; 3. James Fletcher(73mins Matt Woolley); 4 Ben Harrison; 5. Paul Booth; 6 Ollie James(Capt. 38min Dean Ennion); 7. Josh Hancock(61min Carl Frost); 8. Carl Clampitt; 9. Liam Newman(61min Jamie Harrison); 10. Alex Titchiner(73min Shaun Weaver); 11. Danny Andrews

Witton Albion were brought down to earth after their fantastic display midweek against a Stoke XI,. by much harder opposition in Bala Town. Bala, managed by Brian Pritchard’s ex colleague in the mid 1990’s, Colin Caton, were by far the strongest team Witton have played in pre-season games this season. It is obvious that the Welsh Premier League is of a very high standard of semi-professional football, on a par with Conference North Football.

The first 15 mins was quite even, but Bala’s midfield then started to take control, and after 16mins, a wickedly spinning ball was well read by Liam Loughlin, who hit a speculative lob/shot, which struck the cross-bar, down onto the line, before being cleared by the Albion defence. This signalled the start of a Bala offensive which would continue for the rest of the half. In the next 20 mins, Bala peppered the Albion goal with shots from Trialist A (4), Chris Mason(2), Liam Loughlin(1), which nearly all just cleared the cross bar, or were saved by either Matt Cooper, and one was cleared off the line by Ben Harrison.

On the half hour, Witton had their best move of the game, when they strung together about 15 passes, only for Josh Hancock to shoot wide. Ollie James looked to be struggling in the centre of mid-field, and he was replaced on 38mins by Dean Ennion, with the captains’ arm band going to Carl Clampitt.

Two minutes later, Bala had a corner on the right which was hit hard and low across the edge of the penalty area which Mark Jones volleyed an unstoppable shot into the bottom right hand side of the goal, for Bala to take a deserved lead.

Half time, Bala Town 1- 0 Witton Albion

Witton came out early for the 2nd half, and looked a bit more determined to put up a better showing for the travelling fans. Play was looking a bit more even and Witton had a rare chance when Anthony Gardner, in the 57min, sent Dean Ennion through on the right, only for his shot to be deflected over the bar. From the corner, the ball was quickly cleared on the counter attack, which resulted in Trialist B being put through one-on-one on the keeper, but Matt Cooper saved brilliantly down to his right.

In the 70th min Trialist A had a little too much pace for Anthony Gardner, but Matt Cooper once again came to the rescue with a brave save at his feet. A couple of mins later it was the turn of Peter Doran to beat the Witton defence for pace, only for Matt Cooper to again save well.

After 70mins, a good cross from Danny Adams on the right was backheaded by Carl Frost, but it was an easy save for Terry McCormack. The last 10mins were starting to get a bit scrappy, but the supporters were entertained by an amazing dribble out of defence by Ben Harrison, going at pace and beating 7 players and reaching Bala’s 6 yard box, only for his effort to be deflected over.

A very hard game, but a good work out for both sides, with Witton a bit lucky to not have conceded more goals in the first half.

Bala Town Man of the Match: Trialist A.
Witton Albion Man of the Match: Matt Cooper.

Final Score, Bala Town 1- 0 Witton Albion

Match report kindly submitted by: Jeff Metcalf, Match-day Secretary/ Press Officer, Witton Albion F.C

Match Photos courtesy of Evan L. Dobson

• Tags:
• Mark Jones
• Chris Mason
• Liam Loughlin
• Witton Albion