BALA TOWN 2

FLEETWOOD TOWN 3

FOOTBALL League opposition continue to prepare Bala Town for the season ahead.

The Lakesiders welcomed Fleetwood Town U-23s to Maes Tegid on Friday evening and even though it was a loss for Bala, things are looking good ahead of the new season.

Bala started the game brightly and they were in control of proceedings in the opening stages.

With the hosts seeing plenty of the ball, they could have taken the lead when Trialist C saw his shot from 10 yards out being saved by the keeper.

However, it was Fleetwood who took the lead against the run of play.

A break down the right resulted in the ball being crossed into the box and it was slotted home by Fowler after 24 minutes.

This lead was short-lived, though, as on the half-hour mark, Trialist C headed in from six yards out after a Lee Molyneux cross.

Bala were looking to add to their tally with Molyneux’s chance flashed wide of the upright.

Trialist C and D combined down the left and picked out Mike Hayes, who turned on a sixpence, but saw his effort being saved.

Then Hayes lobbed the keeper, but his attempt went wide of the post.

Town’s trialist goalkeeper made a full length reaction save to keep O’Halleron’s chance out as chances continued to arrive.

Five minutes before the interval, Fleetwood took the lead once more.

They capitalised on Anthony Stephens’ mistake to break forward and Saunders fired into the net.

Bala started the second half quite well with two decent opportunities to get back on level terms.

Henry Jones found Trialist C, but he headed over the crossbar, prior to Nathan Burke’s low drive from 30 yards fizzing wide of the post.

The home side were back on level terms after 65 minutes.

Pressure had been brewing from the Lakesiders and a deep cross found the waiting Kieran Smith, who leaped to head into the net to make it 2-2.

Soon after, Stephens’ powerful strike was saved solidly by Cottam with Bala looking to add a third to their tally.

But the hosts were dealt a blow five minutes from time.

Fleetwood took the lead for the third time when Carl Johnson poked the ball into the net after capitalising on a mistake at the back.

It was another useful workout for the Lakesiders with only one game left of their pre-season campaign.