Cymru Premier: Caernarfon well worth point at Maes Tegid

CYMRU PREMIER LEAGUE – NOVEMBER 28

Bala Town 1 (Ukek 12)
Caernarfon Town 1 (Davies 45+3)

Zack Clarke missed a golden late opportunity to earn Caernarfon their first win over Bala in nine attempts.

Not since the 2020-21 season have the Canaries defeated the Lakesiders in the Cymru Premier, a 3-0 win at The Oval in the second phase Championship Conference, but tonight saw Richard Davies’ men secure a satisfying second draw of the campaign against Colin Caton’s charges.

It was a welcome result for the Cofis after three straight league losses and keeps them sixth in the table, just a point behind Bala and two in arrears of fourth-place Cardiff Met.

Caernarfon started well on Tuesday evening at Maes Tegid, captain Darren Thomas having a shot blocked before Ben Wyne cut in menacingly from the right and let fly left-footed, but a home defender took the sting out of the effort and keeper Kelland Absalom held comfortably.

Bala took a 12th minute lead when Iwan Roberts floated a free kick from the left into the box and Irishman Josh Ukek glanced home a header.

Caernarfon appeared unlucky not to win a penalty when Clarke was bundled over in the box. No spot kick was the decision, which perhaps came as no surprise to the Canaries who have not had the best of luck with penalty calls of late.

Undeterred, the visitors kept pressing and notched a lovely equaliser in first half added time.

Dion Donohue fed the ball to the right, Sion Bradley crossed and Adam Davies finished clinically at the near post for his 11th league goal of the season and 12th in all competitions.

Bala had some good second half chances, Nathan Peate’s volley from a Roberts flag-kick missing by a fraction.

Roberts then picked up the ball from a headed clearance and struck a right foot screamer which was not far away.

However, the travellers should have won it when Maher lofted a lovely ball into the box where Clarke was one-on-one with the keeper, but blasted over wildly when a touch of composure would surely have done the trick.