CONNAH'S QUAY 2

BALA TOWN 0

THERE'S to be no final fling for the Lakesiders.

Bala Town fell at the semi-final hurdle on Saturday afternoon as they exited the Nathaniel MG Cars League Cup after a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Connah’s Quay.

On a difficult playing surface, Bala started well, with top scorer Chris Venables glancing a header wide of the far upright, before Henry Jones fired over the crossbar from around 25 yards out.

However, Town were dealt an early blow when Sean Smith brought down Insall in the area for referee Rob Jenkins to point to the spot.

Callum Morris stepped up and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner to give the Nomads the lead after 12 minutes.

Town didn’t let their heads drop despite being a goal down and they delivered an excellent performance as they looked to play and open up the Quay defence.

Bala were building a spell of pressure as Lassana Mendes’ header was cleared off the line by George Horan to keep the home side's lead intact.

The next to test for Bala was Henry Jones, who curled a 30-yard strike just around the upright, before Horan cleared another inswinging ball from the wing.

Steven Leslie picked up the ball 25 yards out, but the ball was way off target, prior to Molyneux seeing his low drive zip past the near post.

Regardless of Town’s opportunities, there was another huge blow for them when the Nomads doubled their advantage against the run of play.

Holmes linked up with Poole who fired straight at Josh Tibbetts, but the follow-up went to Michael Wilde, who tucked the ball over the line from close range three minutes before the interval.

Town had a mountain to climb in the second half but to their credit, they kept persevering.

The second half saw Bala start brightly, with Kieran Smith half volleying the ball over the bar after it had bounced around the 18-yard box.

A superb set piece by the Lakesiders between Lee Molyneux and Steven Leslie saw a goalbound shot palmed away by Brass in the Nomads net.

Bala had an excellent chance when Louis Robles rattled the crossbar after a break down the right wing, before Horan cleared away another Town effort.

As much as Town tried, they were struggling to break down the physical Quay backline, who were making it a tough afternoon for the Lakesiders.

Brass punched away a Town free kick, before Spittle kept away Woolfe’s teasing ball into the area at the other end.

Town were throwing the kitchen sink at the Nomads, but there was always a crucial header or block by one of the defenders that saw the ball either go out of play or being cleared away from danger.