CARMARTHEN TOWN 1

BALA TOWN 2

THINGS are looking very bright for Bala Town during the midway point of the first half of the season.

The Lakesiders are finally able to celebrate their first away win of the campaign... and they are now only five points adrift of the frontrunners.

Travelling to Carmarthen Town on Saturday, Colin Caton's side came firing out of the blocks and they were able to create numerous early chances.

Henry Jones’ sixth minute effort was pushed away after some brilliant build-up play down the left, before Nathan Burke curled an effort wide from 25 yards a minute later.

A through ball from Danny Gosset carved open the Old Gold’s defence to allow Henry Jones to break and fire wide as Bala continued to boss things.

Steven Tames almost opened the scoring when Jones and Chris Venables linked up and then released him, but he was deemed offside with only home keeper Lee Idzi to beat.

Bala eventually claimed a deserved lead in the 16th minute.

From a short corner routine, Ian Sheridan delivered a cracking deep cross to pick out Tames at the back post and he headed into the net from an extremely tight angle.

After this, Bala took their foot off the gas instead of shifting up into another gear and this welcomed the home side back into the game.

Carmarthen started to apply some pressure, firing over the bar from distance and then blazing a massive opportunity over from just three yards out.

Bala should have doubled their advantage when Sheridan’s fantastic cross was directed narrowly over the crossbar by Chris Venables.

Instead of Bala going ahead, it became level with six minutes of the first half remaining.

Tyrrell Webbe danced down the left wing and put the ball into the area.

This was not dealt with by the Bala backline, allowing Declan Carroll to fire low into the bottom corner.

Kieran Smith replaced the injured Henry Jones at the break and Bala started the second half in similar fashion the first period, with plenty of possession.

A long range effort by Sean Smith landed on the roof of the net, before another cross into the box was not dealt with by the keeper, however Bala weren’t able to take advantage.

The visitors were in full control of the possession and they were looking extremely threatening on the break.

Bala's hopes of success were boosted further when Carmarthen’s Luke Bowen was sent off for a foul on Stuart Jones.

Bala’s chances were building, with Kieran Smith’s 20-yard shot being saved by Idzi.

The Lakesiders' perseverance paid off in the 72nd minute when they regained the lead.

A fantastic pass found Kieran Smith, who turned a defender and put the ball on his right foot before placing an effort into the far corner of the net.

Late pressure came from the home side, but Bala’s backline stood strong, dealing well with the chances and ensuring three points were going back up north.