BALA HELP NOMADS AS SAINTS ARE HELD

BATTLING Bala Town did reigning Premier League champions Connah’s Quay Nomads a huge favour as they held The New Saints to a goalless draw at Park Hall. Third-placed Bala, who like the top two have only lost once this season, were full value for their point on the road. It took them to within nine points of the top, with a game in hand, but crucially opened things up for the Nomads. Goals from George Horan and Mike Wilde ensured Andy Morrison’s men hit back to beat Newtown 2-1 despite being down to ten men for much of the game after Jamie Insall’s early dismissal. That made life more difficult that it should have been for the champions on their return to action after an 11-week layoff and they were forced to come from behind after Alex Fletcher opened the scoring in the 16th minute. It was Newtown’s second game in a week and they were hoping for a second win to move them farther from the relegation zone. But the champions, with new signing Neil Danns influential in midfield, hit back to move to within one point of The New Saints. Danny Williams earned Haverfordwest County a first-half penalty against Cardiff Met and then the home striker calmly stroked home the kick for the only goal of the game. It meant the Bluebirds were able to move seven points clear of the students in the race for the championship play-off. Corey Shephard, Kurtis Rees and Elliot Scotcher dominated the midfield battle for the Pembrokeshire outfit and behind them Wojciech Gadja had little or nothing to do in the home goal A 90th-minute free-kick from Jamie Veale earned battling Aberystwyth a share of the spoils at Caernarfon Town to ensure they went home with a much-needed point. Having been down 2-1, the visitors thought they had got back level when John Owen hit the back of the net just before the end. Marc Williams broke free, was fouled by Gareth Edwards and Aber had a free-kick. But as the ball broke free, it came to Owen who thought he had scored. But, unfortunately for him, the referee had blown for the foul and his effort did not count. Owen had given his side a firsthalf lead with a beautiful volley, but debutant Jacob Bickerstaff made an immediate impression following his loan move from Wrexham by notching the equaliser. Two minutes later, Caernarfon were 2-1 up as Sion Bradley scored. Nathan Wood proved the matchwinner for Penybont at Flint Town United with the only goal in the game as they recovered from their midweek defeat at Newtown, while Barry Town United also won with a single goal on the road thanks to a first-half penalty from David Cotterill at Cefn Druids.