Bala Town 2, The New Saints 2

Anyone watching highlights of this match on Sgorio on a black and white television may have trouble telling the two sides apart, as both were playing in hoops, with Bala in black and white,and TNS in green and white.

The Lakesiders forced a save from TNS captain Paul Harrison as early as the 3rd minute, as Steve Evans cleared a Bala throw straight into Peter Doran’s path, who hit a first time shot at goal, but Harrison was able to pull off a good save.

A couple of minutes later it was Terry McCormick turn to be called in to action, as Christian Seargeant whipped a corner into the box, which Steve Evans headed into the path of Matty Williams, who’s flick towards goal was saved by Bala’s keeper.

The New Saints Craig Jones went on a surging run and sent in a curling cross into the penalty area, which was just missed by Matty Williams outstretched boot, as the ball went narrowly wide. Jones momentum unfortunately caused him to crash into and over the barrier behind the goal; either that or he caught a whiff of the Burgers from the Burger van, and fancied a mid-match snack.

The visitors took the lead in the 22nd minute, as a cross was played into the box after a counter attack. The ball was cleared by Bala’s Danny Williams (who one onlooker had confused with Gary Barlow), but the ball unfortunately went straight to Matty Williams, who hit a great first time shot into the top corner of the net.

Five minutes later some great end-to-end football resulted in the visitors doubling their advantage, as McCormick parried a Matty Williams cross, which Stef Edwards was able to collect, and he passed to Lee Hunt on the break, who spotted Harrison off his line, and tried to chip him from 35 yard out; but the keeper was able to collect, and then started a break in the opposite direction; which ended with Simon Spender hitting a pin point cross on to Greg Draper’s head, who hit home from a tight angle.

Bala pulled a goal back just before the hour mark, as Stephen Brown went on a long run, with Lee Hunt and Chris Mason in hot pursuit; but Brown decided to go on his own, and unleashed a shot at goal; which took a deflection off Steve Evans, and went in to the bottom corner of the net. The goal may have to be put before the dubious goal’s panel,as some onlookers felt that the goal could have gone down as a Steve Evans own goal.

Three minutes later Bala were level, after they were awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal after Evans had fouled Lee Hunt. Captain Mark Jones stepped up to take the kick; which deflected off the wall, and went in to the top corner of the net.

A great double save from McCormick ensured Bala would get a share of the spoils, as first he pulled off a save from an Alex Darlington shot, and then he did brilliantly to recover to dive low to save Matty Williams shot from the rebound. The keepers reward for his hard work was a brief visit from the Bala physio after he picked up a slight knock after the second save.

Bala had a chance to nick all 3 points in the dying seconds, as Lee Hunt crossed the ball into Stephen Brown’s path, whose shot appeared to be heading for the top corner of the net; however Harrison was able to leap into the air to collect the ball in what turned out to be the last action of an exciting match.

Gavin Billington

Match Photos courtesy of Evan L. Dobson

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