Cymru Premier: Bala rue missed chances, Wingmakers grounded, six for Saints

Bala Town 1 (H Jones 53)
Cardiff Met 2 (E Evans 58 pen, D Phillips 79)

Missed chances cost Bala an opportunity to finish the weekend fourth in the JD Cymru Premier, reports Hannah Jones.

Town could feel very happy with their first half performance that saw them create plenty, but fail to put the ball in the back of the net.

The first clear cut opening saw Henry Jones’ free kick curled into the box and come to Anthony Stephens, who was unable to make a clean connection on the ball and it went wide.

Met keeper Alex Lang pushed out Lassana Mendes’ delivery before a series of corners led to Stephens flicking the ball goalwards for the waiting Chris Venables, but Joel Edwards cleared off the line with 19 minutes played.

The visitors had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they broke quickly on the counter attack which saw Will Evans fire low but Ashley Morris made a solid save with his feet.

Soon after Met’s Charlie Corsby pulled his shot wide of the post.

Bala ended the half strongly, Louis Robles heading over from a Jones free kick. Venables and Robles had strikes blocked by Bradley Woolridge and David Thomas prior to the loose ball arriving to Mendes, who lobbed Lang but his attempt landed on the roof of the net.

The second half started in the best way possible for the Lakesiders as they took the lead. A Bala corner was cleared and arrived to Henry Jones on the edge of the 18 yard box, who drilled into the far corner to make it 1-0.

However, the lead was short-lived as from the restart, Met were awarded a penalty for an alleged handball which Eliot Evans slotted home.

Town continued to press with Kieran Smith rattling the crossbar. Smith headed over on 74 minutes from Andy Burns’ cross.

With 10 minutes left, Met added a second. Some awful defending from the Lakesiders allowed substitute Dion Phillips to prod the ball in.

Bala tried to hit back, Mike Hayes curling the ball narrowly wide of the far upright.

A frustrating afternoon for the Lakesiders who played well in the first half, but will rue their missed chances and for allowing Met to come back into the game.

Other Saturday scores

Carmarthen Town 2 ( Luke Bowen 8, Jon Routledge OG 11) The New Saints 6 (Greg Draper 16 & 48, Aeron Edwards 31 & 75, Kurtis Byrne 66 & 80)

Penybont 3 (Curtis Jemmett-Hutson 14 & 73) Daniel Griffiths 80) Airbus UK 1 (Alex Darlington 58)

Friday

Aberystwyth Town 2 (Joe Phillips 30, Paulo Mendes 90) Caernarfon Town 3 (Noah Edwards 20, Nathan Craig 35 pen, Leo Smith 54)

Newtown 1 (Nick Rushton 45) Connah’s Quay Nomads 1 (Michael Bakare 62)