Bala Town 1, Airbus UK 0

Bala needed a point from this game to secure a top 6 place, while Airbus needed the points to keep up the pressure on Bala and Prestatyn who currently hold the 5th and 6th places respectively.

Bala and Airbus are set to get to know each other very well, as this is the first of four meetings over the next month, with the reverse of this tie taking place on the 2nd of January, before a two legged First Round League Cup tie in January.

The Maes Tegid pitch was very heavy, and along with muddy patches, made playing good football very difficult. Despite this the game got off to a very exciting start, as Airbus’s Danny Taylor brought down Peter Doran in the penalty area to give the Lakesiders a 4th minute spot kick.

Lee Hunt stepped to take the penalty, and despite sending Niki Lee-Bulmer the wrong way, he could only look on in horror as the ball struck against the post.

Unfortunately for him he had a permanent reminder of his miss, as the ball left a mud patch at the spot where it struck the woodwork.

The Wingmakers came close to taking the lead in the 9thminute, as Ian Sheridan showed a brilliant piece of ball control to get past Rees Darlington on the edge of the box, and he sent the ball across the face of the goal, but none of his teammates were able to get the vital touch required to divert the ball goalwards.

Eddie Hope had the visitors’ next chance a minute later, as he ran down at the Bala Town goal, but the oncoming Terry McCormick did enough to put him off, as he caused the winger to send the ball high and wide of the goal.

​Just before the hour mark captain for the day Conall Murtagh forced a good save out of Lee-Bulmer, as he chested down the ball 20 yards from goal, before unleashing a first time shot that was heading for the corner of the net, but the keeper was able to tip the ball over the cross bar.

​On the hour mark John Irving came close to breaking the deadlock, as his 35 yard cross come shot was heading for the roof of the net, but Lee-Bulmer was on hand again to tip the ball over the cross bar.

​Former Bala Town player Mike Hayes was presented with an opportunity to get on the score sheet, as Michael Byron made a mess of a clearance; however Hayes could only send his shot wide of the post.

​Lee Hunt must have thought that it really wasn’t his day, as he shot at goal from just inside the box, only to see the ball get stuck in the mud, allowing Lee-Bulmer to save easily.

​As the game entered the final 10 minutes John Irving whipped a brilliant cross into the 6 yard box; which Mark Allen attempted to clear, but ended up seeing the ball going past his own keeper, and into the back of the net.

​John Irving nearly got another assist shortly afterwards, as he crossed a ball into the path of sub Chris Mason, who headed the ball over with his first touch of the game.

Mason was in the centre of the action again shortly afterwards, as he passed to Mark Connolly inside the box, who saw his shot tipped away by Lee-Bulmer.

​The win confirms Bala’s place in the top 6 after the league split, but has not killed off Airbus’s hopes, who must now win against Bala in the return fixture, and hope that Prestatyn lose their 3 remaining fixtures, which are a doubleheader against Bangor City and a home tie with Neath.

Match Photos courtesy of Evan L. Dobson

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