BALA TOWN 0

DENBIGH TOWN 0

THE battle of the two Towns ended up goalless over the weekend.

Bala Town played host to a new-look Denbigh Town in a pre-season encounter on Friday evening and the teams could not be separated.

There was a bright start to the game, with Denbigh seeing a free-kick being saved by Bala keeper Vaughn Charles, before Evan Horwood curled a free-kick around the upright from 25 yards at the other end.

Bala were seeing plenty of the ball, but they were just not able to break down the determined Denbigh defence.

Steven Tames was deemed offside when Bala pressed and a free-kick following a foul on Kieran Smith was pushed away by former Lakesider Craig Vernon.

Josh Jones’ delivery was on route towards Andy Mangan as Bala continued to probe, but the visitors cleared midway through the half, prior to Nathan Burke firing an effort over the top from distance.

An attack from Andy Burns was deflected out for a corner as Bala tried to find an opening goal.

Denbigh also posed a threat at Anthony Miley was needed to block Sam Jones’ close range shot.

Minutes later and Charles made a solid point-blank save to deny Jake Walker.

Bala ended the first half on the front foot, with Burke’s low fizzing shot went inches wide from 20 yards and Steven Tames rattled the bar on the half-time whistle.

The second half saw some disruption to the tempo, with numerous substitutions from both sides, who were keen to give all their players a runout.

Denbigh could have taken the lead straight after the restart, but a strong hand from Charles diverted Bailey Jackson's strike away from goal.

At the other end, Mangan fired a free-kick from 25 yards into the wall, before Josh Jones drilled a strike into the side netting after a break down the left.

Bala continued to probe and Tames’ effort was saved by Vernon, followed by Horwood picking out Jones, but his volley went well wide.

Bala were playing some quick football on the floor, but again they couldn’t find that lucky break, with a penalty shout being waved away and Tames was adjudged offside after shaking off his marker.

As the game moved into its final stages, Denbigh looked to press and Sirrell, Cartwright, Tate and Sam Jones all had efforts saved.

Bala did have a golden opportunity 12 minutes from time.

Mangan’s cross was put on a plate for both Jones and Tames, but neither was able to get on the end of it.