Cymru Premier: Nomads loss at Bala leaves title race wide open again

Bala Town 2 (George Horan 18 og, Henry Jones 72)
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1 (Callum Morris 80 pen)
JD Cymru Premier League – April 28, 2021

The Cymru Premier League title race remains wide open with four rounds of matches to play!

Tonight saw leaders Connah’s Quay beaten 2-1 at Bala, meaning second place The New Saints remain just two points behind the Nomads.

The title-run-in now reads:

Connah’s Quay Nomads: Played 28 Points 69 (goal difference + 43)
The New Saints: Played 28 Points 67 (GD + 59)

To play:

Nomads: May 1 – The New Saints (h); May 4 – Barry Town United (a); May 8 – Caernarfon Town (h); May 15 – Penybont (a)

TNS: May 1 – Connah’s Quay Nomads (a); May 4 – Penybont (a); May 8 – Barry Town United (h); May 15 – Bala Town (h)

No doubt this Saturday’s return battle at Deeside Stadium between Nomads and TNS could have huge say in who finishes top. Saints will be out for revenge after Saturday’s 4-1 home caning at home to the Quay.

Tonight’s tussle at Maes Tegid saw Bala build on a good start by taking an 18th minute lead.

Will Evans’ header was well saved by Ollie Byrne, but the ball went in off Nomads defender George Horan.

The visitors tried to respond, early substitute Jamie Insall threatening with a header, while Henry Jones shot wide at the other end.

Half-time: Bala 1 Nomads 0

Quay began the second half with gusto, but Town went close to a second when Byrne tipped Evans’ header over the bar.

Town doubled their lead on 72 minutes when Ollie Shannon raced down the right and put a ball right into the feet of Henry Jones, who had the simple task of lashing home.

Nomads hit back on 77 minutes when Callum Morris converted a penalty awarded for handball against Bala defender Nathan Peate, who was red carded.

Ten-man Bala now faced a tough task to hold on for the points against the champions in the remaining 13 minutes.

The 90 arrived, then five more minutes were added on and in the last of them, Insall went close to a dramatic leveller but his effort hit the bar.

Bala celebrated at the final whistle as they edged ever closer to third place and European football.

Bala Town: 1 Alex Ramsay, 3 Sean Smith, 4 Nathan Peate, 5 Anthony Stephens, 8 Will Evans (14 Steven Leslie 90’+5), 10 Henry Jones, 11 Kieran Smith, 15 Antony Kay, 21 Jack Mackreth (23 Ryan Pryce 85′), 25 Chris Venables, 29 Oliver Shannon. Subs not used: 2 Andrew Burns, 12 Liam Davies, 17 Daniel Gosset

Connah’s Quay Nomads: 13 Oliver Byrne, 2 John Disney, 5 George Horan, 6 Daniel Harrison (19 Craig Curran 46), 8 Callum Morris (18 Douglas Tharme 80), 9 Michael Wilde, 11 Neil Danns (4 John Hunt 46), 12 Declan Poole, 17 Kris Owens, 21 Aron Williams (10 Jamie Insall 15), 23 Aeron Edwards. Subs not used: 24 Kai Calderbank-Park (GK), 47 Daniel Parry-Jones, 48 Charlie Holland.

Results – Tuesday, April 27

Championship Conference
Penybont 2 (Nathan Wood 7, Kane Owen 70) Barry Town United 0
The New Saints 0 Caernarfon Town 0 (in-depth report on Grassroots North Wales last night)

Play-Off Conference
Aberystwyth Town 5 (Harry Franklin 26, Owain Jones 35 & 82, Jamie Reed 90 pen, John Owen 90+4) Cefn Druids 1 (Niall Flint 59)
Haverfordwest County 0 Cardiff Met University 2 (Eliot Evans 60, Cameron Keetch OG 71)
Newtown 1 (Jordan Evans 53) Flint Town United 0