Match report: Cofis are on verge of top six finish after breaking Bala jinx

JD CYMRU PREMIER – JANUARY 11. 2025

Bala Town 0
Caernarfon Town 2 (Owen 44, Davies 90)

Caernarfon took a big step towards a place in the top six Championship Conference in phase 2 of the 2024-25 season with a well-deserved victory over jinx side Bala at neutral Llandudno.

If the Cofis win their final phase 1 match at home to Flint Town United on Tuesday, they are guaranteed at least fifth place, but any other result and the Canaries’ position will depend on what happens in the Connah’s Quay Nomads v Bala and Barry Town United v Haverfordwest County games.

Today’s clash was the first occasion there has been a winner in this fixture in six contests, the previous five league meetings all having ended in draws.

Caernarfon had not actually beaten Bala in 12 attempts in all competitions, but today they were more than worthy victors.

After an abandonment and two postponements for Maes Tegid, it was announced by the FAW yesterday that the game had to be played at the Go Goodwins Stadium, Llandudno.

Caernarfon had the bit between their teeth from the start and dominated the first half.

Paulo Mendes fed a lovely ball into the box for Louis Lloyd, but Bala defender Ross White produced a fine block.

Soon after Josh Lock, on loan from The New Saints, exchanged swift passes from a corner and drove in a near post shot which keeper Joel Torrence did well to keep out.

In the 25th minute, Torrence did even better to get down late and thwart a skidding Lloyd effort from the left.

Bala striker George Newell was booked for simulation in the Caernarfon area before the visitors took a 44th minute lead.

Torrence starred again in palming out a low Zack Clarke cross, Lloyd drilled goalwards but Kyle Harrison cleared, however Bala were unable to avert the danger and Morgan Owen latched onto a spinning ball, controlled and produced a lovely right-foot finish into a small space to make it 1-0.

The second half was a different story as Bala upped the pressure, but their first goal attempt of the match did not arrive until the 53rd minute, Newell denied by the legs of new keeper Ben Hughes. on loan from Swansea City.

Bala pressed but the visitors defended really well before Caernarfon’s luck was in after 82 minutes when Kieran Lloyd’s delivery was headed against his own post by Phil Mooney.

From a counter, Lock showed ambition with an audacious attempt to find an empty net from within his own half.

The effort was not really that close, but it did show refreshing enterprise from the promising youngster.

Then on 90 minutes it was game over.

Sub Matty Hill laid the ball back and Adam Davies lashed home an unstoppable shot.

The pain had surely all been worth it for the Caernarfon fans who had been frustrated by two previously wasted long trips.

Bala Town v Caernarfon Town – last 13 meetings (all league games unless stated)

Jan 11, 2025: Bala Town 0 Caernarfon Town 2
Aug 26, 2024: Caernarfon 0 Bala 0
Apr 21, 2024: Caernarfon 2 Bala 2
Mar 8, 2024: Bala 1 Caernarfon 1
Nov 28, 2023: Bala 1 Caernarfon 1
Aug 29: 2023: Caernarfon 1 Bala 1
Dec 30, 2022: Bala 3 Caernarfon 0
Dec 26, 2022: Caernarfon 1 Bala 5
Sep 20, 2022: Caernarfon 1 Bala 4 (Nathaniel MG Cup)
Apr 18, 2022: Caernarfon 0 Bala 2
Mar 25, 2022: Bala 2 Caernarfon 0
Feb 12, 2022: Caernarfon 2 Bala 2
Feb 4, 2022: Bala 3 Caernarfon 0
May 4, 2021: Caernarfon 3 Bala 0