Late leveller seals Bala top-6 spot and denies Caernarfon
CAERNARFON Town drew 3-3 with Bala Town, a late equaliser from the visitors sealing their top-six spot as the first phase draws to a close – and all but ending the hosts’ hopes.
Joe Faux, Sion Bradley and Cai Jones were on target for the Cofis in the second half, cancelling out a first-half double from Dean Ebbe. Will Evans struck in the 86th minute to earn the Lakesiders a draw – and the precious top-six placing.
Caernarfon can now only join them with a big win at Barry combined with a bad slip-up by Nomads at Newtown in the final first-phase round of fixtures on February 26.
● The New Saints’ Declan McManus scored his 21st goal of the season as he fired his side to a 4-1 win over Cefn Druids to extend their lead at the top of table to a virtually unassailable 21 points.
McManus gave TNS the lead in
the 38th minute, but Ioan Evans equalised for Druids, directly from a corner in stoppage time.
The league leaders showed their ruthless side in the last 20 minutes of the game and sealed the win with goals from Jordan Williams, Blaine Hudson and Ryan Brobbel.
Nathaniel MG Cup winners Connah’s
Quay Nomads took one step closer to sealing a top-six finish with a 2-0 win over Flint Town United.
Paulo Mendes scored a sublime opener for the Nomads after clever build-up play with Jamie Mullan. George Horan scored a second in the 50th minute.
Newtown couldn’t take the opportunity to climb to second, but did score a 95th-minute equaliser through Ryan Sears to earn a point at Cardiff Met.
Met opened the scoring in the 18th minute through Sam Jones from close range. The Archers have now moved up to eighth place, but they will remain in the bottom half come the all-important split.
Penybont were left frustrated with a 0-0 draw against Barry Town United.
Aberystwyth’s faint hopes of a top-half finish ended with a 0-0 draw with Haverfordwest.
● In the Ardal North-West, Porthmadog kept up the pressure on leaders Mold Alex with a 3-1 victory at Brickfield Rangers (see full report below) but Y Felinheli were beaten 1-0 in St Asaph and Llanuwchllyn went down 2-1 at Llanrwst – leaving them five points behind their hosts in fifth spot, though with four games in hand. Blaenau Ffestiniog remain rooted to the foot of the table after a 1-4 reverse at home to promotion-chasing Denbigh.