BALA TOWN 0

SOUTHPORT 1

WHILE this was a defeat for the Lakesiders, there was a very promising display from the hosts.

There was midweek action for Town on Wednesday as they welcomed National League North side Southport to Maes Tegid.

The visitors started very well and they provided an impressive first half performance.

Bala’s trialist goalkeeper was called into action early on and he made a solid save.

However, Southport took the lead after 20 minutes of play.

A break down the right saw a ball delivered into the box and Brad Bauress duly dispatched his effort from around 10 yards out, which went in off the base of the post.

The football by Southport was quick and their resilient backline was standing firm, keeping Chris Venables and Henry Jones quiet up front.

However, the second half was much better from Bala's perspective and they probably should have earned something from the friendly.

Substitute Kieran Smith saw his low drive being palmed away by the goalkeeper only two minutes after the restart.

Down the other end a long range shot by Southport curled comfortably over the crossbar and soon after, a quick passage of play was cleared by Spittle.

Lee Molyneux and Andy Burns linked up on the right and a cracking cross was put into the area, but the visitors cleaned their lines.

Bala were growing in strength and they were the dominant side during the final 10 minutes, having plenty of possession and causing problems.

Kieran Smith got on the end of a brilliant cross, but Hanford made an excellent save to deny him an equaliser.

Bala should have been level five minutes from time from the move of the match.

Molyneux’s cross was pushed away by Hanford, before the rebound was hacked off the line.

It was a very useful evening for the Lakesiders against difficult opposition, but there are plenty of positives to take into Saturday’s game against Accrington Stanley.