March 29, 2024

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Bala Town 5-2 Aberystwyth Town: Venables at the double as Lakesiders earn victory over Seasiders

10/10/2020 - Bala Town 5-2 Aberystwyth Town © Colin Ewart

Bala Town bounced back from last week’s defeat to Haverfordwest County with a 5-2 win over Aberystwyth Town at Maes Tegid. 

Despite falling behind to Marc Williams’ first-half header, goals from Will Evans and Sean Smith, along with Chris Venables’ brace, put the Lakesiders into the acendancy. 

Steven Hewitt netted a second-half penalty for Aberystwyth, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback as Raul Correia’s late header made the game safe and ensured the three points for Colin Caton’s men.

The win sees Bala rise to fifth in the table – still with games in hand over the teams above them – while the Black and Greens drop down a place to seventh.

It was a lively start from both sides, as Venables and Aber winger Gavin Jones had early attempts to open the scoring. 

The first real chance, however, fell to the Lakesiders’ Evans, who pounced upon a weak header from Aberystwyth defender Louis Bradford. 

Evans, who has scored three goals in the Cymru Premier so far this season, lifted the ball over Connor Roberts in the Seasiders’ goal, but his effort was cleared after hitting the crossbar. 

Roberts was again called into action when Steve Leslie’s free-kick was deflected towards goal. The goalkeeper, on loan from The New Saints, pulled off a fantastic save to keep the game goalless. 

10/10/2020 – Bala Town 5-2 Aberystwyth Town © Colin Ewart

Caton’s side continued to make chances, as Ollie Shannon found space on the right to cross for Venables, whose acrobatic effort flew over the bar. 

The Lakesiders were made to pay for not taking their early chances as Gavin Allen’s took the lead in the 23rd minute. 

Mathew Jones – who was later forced off with a shoulder injury – was found in space on the left to deliver a perfect cross for captain Williams, who rose highest to head the Seasiders in front. 

The hosts responded well to falling behind, as Mathew Jones’ clearance was blocked by Raul Correia and fell into the path of Venables. 

With just Roberts to beat, last season’s Golden Boot winner saw his effort superbly saved by the Aberystwyth Town goalkeeper.

After a spell of pressure where they created numerous chances, the Lakesiders drew level seven minutes before the break.

Leslie’s corner was inch-perfect for the onrushing Evans to head past Roberts and bring his team back on terms.

Caton’s side nearly fired themselves in front from another corner, with Nathan Peate heading powerfully at goal, only for Roberts to pull off another fantastic save. 

They weren’t to be denied, however, as Evans found Sean Smith in space on the left. The latter fired a low effort past Roberts to put Bala in front on the stroke of half-time. 

Venables was inches away from adding a third, as his header from Leslie’s corner was heroically cleared off the line by Williams, who ensured that the deficit for Aberystwyth at the break was just one goal. 

10/10/2020 – Bala Town 5-2 Aberystwyth Town © Colin Ewart

Despite a lively start to the second-half from the visitors, the Lakesiders were awarded a penalty just before the hour mark when Bradford brought down Venables in the box. 

The Bala talisman made no mistake from the spot and gave his side a two-goal cushion. 

Venables was again involved as his side added a fourth. 

Lassana Mendes found space on the left to pick out the striker with a perfect cross, and the unmarked front man headed home for his second goal in as many minutes.

Bala’s Antony Kay then went close to getting himself on the scoresheet when he found space at the back post to fire an effort into the side netting. 

Despite trailing by three goals, the Seasiders found joy on the counter-attack as Steff Davies raced onto a ball over the top and was brought down in the box by Anthony Stephens. 

Summer recruit Hewitt dispatched the penalty to reduce the deficit for Aberystwyth Town. 

As the Black and Greens pressed to get back into the game, space was created for Bala to net a fifth goal in the 81st minute. 

Smith’s superb cross from the left was headed powerfully home by Lakesiders striker Correia to all but clinch victory.

The scoreline could have been heavier had it not been for the fantastic performance of Aberystwyth Town goalkeeper Roberts, who made a series of fine saves.

Bala Town: Ramsay, S Smith, Peate, Stephens, Evans (Jones 86’), Correia, Leslie, Kay, Mendes (K Smith 84’), Venables, Shannon

Goals: Evans 38’, Smith 43’, Venables 58’ 60’, Correia 84’

Aberystwyth Town: Roberts, Bradford, Jenkins, Jones (R Davies 45’), Veale, Williams, Davies, Owen (A Davies 80’), Hewitt, John (Foligno 58’), Jones

Goals: Williams 23’, Hewitt 66’

Yellow Cards: Williams 90’

(Featured Image: Colin Ewart)

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