BALA TOWN 2

CONNAH'S QUAY 2

IT was a feisty affair at Maes Tegid on Friday night as first took on third in a top of the table JD Cymru Premier clash.

The start was explosive as Bala Town and Connah's Quay produced two goals in the opening 10 minutes.

A corner was delivered into the box, which was met by Michael Wilde and his bullet header flew into the back of the net to give Quay the lead after only two minutes.

The Lakesiders responded in the best way possible as they passed the ball around well and equalised after eight minutes.

Sean Smith picked out Oliver Shannon and he immediately crossed into the box to find an unmarked Chris Venables, who tucked a tidy effort into the net.

From the equaliser, Bala were growing in strength with Kieran Smith and Louis Robles creating problems for the Nomads' backline and the Town defence also dealt with Quay’s physical play.

Shannon put another great ball into the area, but Morris made a vital clearance, prior to Venables scuffing a 12 yard effort wide of the upright.

The game was becoming fiery with some hot-blooded tackles as it opened up, with both teams having opportunities on goal.

Robles’ quick turn of pace shook off Horan and this allowed Shannon to shoot at Brass from the edge of the area, before Stephens scuffed his shot past the post.

In the 32rd minute, Bala should have been ahead when they had a fantastic counter attacking move.

A pinpoint cross from the right found Venables, who glanced his header wide.

The next goal came five minutes before the interval and it was Connah's Quay who were celebrating.

Curran’s ball in was looped into the net by Insall.

Town had a massive penalty claim in the opening couple of minutes of the second period, but it was waved away by referee Bryn Markham-Jones.

Bala were having comfortable spells of pressure, but they were lacking a little luck with decisions not going in their favour and Nomads earned crucial touches on through balls and passes to frustrate the hosts.

Continuing to dig deep, Burns set up Leslie but his strike from distance lacked composure and flew over the woodwork.

It was become frantic and there were battles all over the pitch, ensuring that every single player was putting a shift in.

A scramble in the box from Bakare’s corner kick was dealt with solidly by Josh Tibbetts, who collected Insall’s header after he had denied Curran’s opportunity a minute earlier.

With 12 minutes left, Town got their reward.

Burns’ free kick on the halfway line was flicked forwards by Stephens into the path of Kieran Smith and his scuffed shot from seven yards crept under Brass and into the net to make it 2-2.

Brass denied Smith after the restart, before a moment of controversy saw the Quay keeper run out of his area and allegedly handle the ball when substitute Mendes went one on one with him, however nothing was awarded in Town’s favour.

Five minutes from time and Louis Robles was sent off for dissent, but luckily for the Lakesiders this didn’t have an affect on the result in the closing stages.