Lakesiders look to close the gap on Quay as Canaries make it six unbeaten
BALA Town were looking to throw another spanner in the works last night when they hosted JD Cymru Premier League leaders Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Having held The New Saints to a goalless draw, and made it 12 games undefeated on the road with a 3-1 victory at managerless Cefn Druids, they were hoping to cut the gap at the top to six points against the defending champions.
Their draw at Park Hall two weekends ago caused major repercussions with home manager Scott Ruscoe and his assistant Steve Evans getting the sack, even though TNS remained top of the table.
Now they have Andy Morrison’s men in their sights as they seek to build on their latest win at The Rock.
Despite going behind to a Steffan Edwards goal after only seven minutes, Bala hit back with two goals from Oliver Shannon and a Chris Venables penalty.
The Nomads, meanwhile, failed to make it a club record 10 successive wins as they drew 0-0 with Penybont in Bridgend.
Second-half goals from Paolo Mendes and Sion Bradley helped Caernarfon Town make it six in a row unbeaten in their push for the top half as they completed a first-phase double over Flint Town United. Cameron Keetch plunged
TNS into a deeper crisis as he fired home the winning goal that gave Caernarfon’s top-six rivals Haverfordwest County a 2-1 win.
Chris Seargeant’s first game in interim charge proved a difficult one after Corey Shephard fired home from just outside the area in the 17th minute to give the Bluebirds the lead.
It took TNS time to get into their stride, but they managed to get on terms when Blaine Hudson scored from a corner in the 51st minute.
The visitors looked the more likely side to win from that point, but the Bluebirds – with former Wales defender Jazz Richards making his home debut – scored on the break as Keetch hammered home with his left foot 16 minutes from time.
Barry Town United got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Aberystwyth at Jenner Park.
A great finish in the 87th minute from former Newport County player Nat Jarvis saw Gavin Chesterfield’s men move up into fourth place.
Doubles from Tyrone Ofori and Jordan Evans enabled Newtown to post a 4-1 home win over Cardiff Met.
The visitors scored through Bradley Woolridge.