Rhos Aelwyd Res 1, Bala Tn Res 4

But it took the visitors virtually the whole of the first half before opening their account against a youthful Rhos side who battled had to stay in the game, and found themselves still in with a shout up to mid way through the second half, after which Bala were able to make the game safe.

The first half saw Bala dominate much of the game, and should really have taken the lead as early as the 2nd minute when the first clear chance was missed.

This was the pattern for much of the half, as one player after the other failed to capitalise from some great build up play, and also some fine solo runs from midfield.

Gwydion Ifan was a constant threat throughout the match, as the Rhos rear guard struggled to cope with his pace and trickery.

Bala missed another glorious chance as Gethin Edwards found himself one v one with the keeper following a delightful ball from young full back Dan Lloyd, Edwards sliding the ball beneath the advancing keeper, only to see his attempt rebound off the post and cleared by the home defence.

Dyfan Jones was unlucky not to break the deadlock following a fine solo run from the half way line which saw him dance around several Rhos players, giving him a shooting opportunity which was well blocked.

Iwan Roberts and youngster John Evans also gave the home side problems down the right with some good inter play, but Bala failed to capitalise on this build up play, and looked to be heading into the break on level terms. That was until the ball fell to Riki Rowlands, with only seconds left in the half, who struck an unstoppable effort from outside the box which gave the home keeper no chance, giving the visitors a deserved lead to take into the second period.

Bala started the second half as they finished the first, and it wasn’t long until they doubled their lead, Owain Thirsk taking advantage of Rhos’s inability to clear their lines following a corner, rifling home to give Bala a bit of breathing space. The visitors would have expected to kick on from here, but it was Rhos who dominated the next spell, and enjoyed their best period in the game, putting the visiting rear guard under sustained pressure for the first time.

With Rhos starting to enjoy good ball possession, Owain Thirsk and Gwynant Rowlands found themselves having to defend strongly in the heart of the defence, and their power and strength was sufficient to limit many efforts on Dylan Jones in the Bala goal.

Rhos kept on knocking, and were rewarded for their efforts when the Bala defence were left flat footed from a corner which Rhos nodded in to bring themselves back into the game.

With Rhos having a belief in their game, Bala needed to show some character and composure to steady the ship, and Ilan Hughes was instrumental in giving the visitors just that, as he kept good possession and fed his team mates well. With Bala once again seeing more of the ball, Dan Lloyd and Gwydion Ifan started to link up well down the left, manoeuvring past the home players at will with some clever inter play.

It was from this position that Bala regained their 2 goal advantage. Lloyd played the ball into Ifan, who’s clever back heel fed the overlapping Lloyd who’s cross was finished clinically by Gethin Edwards with a first time shot. Bala were now enjoying themselves with some great football, every player wanting the ball and working hard to support each other.

The fourth goal was not long coming, and it was that man Ifan again who was instrumental in the build up, Iwan Roberts this time finishing off another well created goal.

It was an excellent footballing display from Bala, with every player looking comfortable, and some very good individual displays. Gwydion Ifan however was excellent, and tormented Rhos all afternoon with a fantastic performance.

Squad: 1. Dyfan Jones, 2. John Evans, 3. Dan Lloyd, 4. Dyfan Jones, 5. Gwynant Rowlands [c], 6. Owain Thirsk, 7. Iwan Roberts, 8. Ilan Hughes, 9. Riki Rowlands, 10. Gethin Edwards, 11. Gwydion Ifan, 12. Shaun Hughes, 14. George Davies, 15. Sion Tudor Jones

• Tags:
• Reserves