Valletta 0-1 Bala Town: Venables sees Lakesiders progress for first time

Bala Town ended their Europa League curse as they beat Valletta to progress to the next round of the Europa League.

Chris Venables, who scored the second European goal of his career was the match-winner as the Lakesiders claimed a monumental victory.

Venables’ 38th minute strike ended Bala’s European hoodoo of not progressing past the first round that they enter.

Valletta had an encouraging start, retaining the lion’s share of ball possession during the first half but after conceding the goal, they were unable to react and Bala Town controlled their opponents without particular difficulty.

New Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa named new recruit Mihailo Jovanovic in the starting eleven but Taylon and Taisei Marukawa were only included as substitutes in the final half hour.

Bala Town goalkeeper Alex Ramsay, who was also making his debut along with Antony Kay, Raul Correia and William Evans, crowned his performance with a penalty save which kept Valletta at bay.

Valletta went out in search of an early goal and Matteo Piciollo was prominent in the early minutes with a powerful shot ending just over the bar and then with a conclusion from the edge of the area which was neutralised by Ramsay. Bala Town replied with a Steven Leslie freekick which ended high on 15 minutes.

Mario Fontanella failed to connect off an inviting cross by Alba from the right and the latter then tested Ramsay with a cross shot which was parried by the Welsh goalie.

A Shaun Dimech effort was blocked by Stephens and on 25 minutes, a fine Mario Fontanella conclusion was turned into a corner by Ramsay.

Following a first water-break, Ramsay performed a good save on a Miguel Angel Alba effort on 36 minutes.

Two minutes later, Bala Town took the lead. Steven Leslie delivered a cross from the left and Chris Venables slotted the ball past the helpless Henry Bonello from close range.

This goal shocked the Citizens who now seemed rather confused.

In fact, early in the second half, Bala Town almost scored another but Rowen Muscat came to the rescue, anticipating the unmarked Will Evans following a good run by Venables on the left.

However, on the hour, Valletta had the opportunity to equalise when they were awarded a penalty after substitute Taylon was brought down by Antony Kay but Mario Fontanella’s attempt from the penalty spot was turned into a corner by Ramsay.

This was another blow for the Citizens as the visitors were now brimming with confidence.

Rowen Muscat had a long-distance shot ending wide on 79 minutes and then substitute Taisei Marukawa went close twice – an angled shot from the left which was parried by Ramsay and another ending just wide.

After six minutes of added time, the game was over. Bala Town emerged as winners to secure a place in Monday’s draw of the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round.

Valletta: Henry Bonello, Jonathan Caruana, Santiago Malano, Matteo Picciolo (59’ Taylon), Shaun Dimech (68’ Taisei Marukawa), Jean Borg, Enmy Pena Beltre, Rowen Muscat, Miguel Angel Alba (46’ Kyrian Nwoko), Mario Fontanella.

Yellow Cards: Pena Beltre, Malano

Bala Town: Alex Ramsay, Sean Smith, Tony Stephens, Jonathan Spittle, William Evans, Raul Correia (79’ Henry Jones), Steven Leslie (69’ Kieran Smith), Antony Kay, Lassana Mendes, Chris Venables, Oliver Shannon.

Goals: Chris Venables 38′

Yellow Cards: Ramsay, Kay

(Featured Image: Frank Vincentz)