Newtown 0-2 Bala Town: Peate and Venables on target in Lakesiders victory

Bala Town continued their good run of form with a third win in a week for the Lakesiders thanks to their 2-0 victory over Newtown.

A first-half header from Nathan Peate and an 85th-minute header from Chris Venables sealed the points for the visitors.

The Lakesiders gave Jon Rushton his debut in the Town net after signing the goalkeeper on Deadline Day meanwhile Chris Hughes brought in Sean McAllister into the line-up instead of Jordan Evans.

It was the home side who started brightest with Mitchell, Davies and Rushton looking lively for the hosts. Mitchell released Rushton into the box with six minutes on the clock but his namesake saved strongly with his feet.

Jack Kelly volleyed over the crossbar from twenty yards minutes later before Mendes and Venables combined for the visitors but the Newtown backline could clear the danger.

Much of the play was down Newtown’s left-hand side with George Hughes’ low through-ball fizzing away from Mitchell prior to a fantastic passage of play that saw McAllister picking out Davies, who turned Peate but his drive was denied by Rushton with his right leg.

A half-chance fell to Town from Kay’s throw-in but the ball was swung in too deep for Venables at the back post.

Midway through the half, Newtown had an excellent opportunity that should’ve seen them take the lead. Davies arrived at the end of Jake Phillips’ long throw but placed his strike wide from seven yards.

Bala began to come into the game with Lassana Mendes finding Will Evans but the cross was too deep before former Robin Steve Leslie’s corner wasn’t dealt with by Dave Jones in the Newtown net but no-one in a white shirt was able to capitalise on the loose ball.

A substitution four minutes before the interval saw Mendes make way for Henry Jones as the Lakesiders looked to change their tactics.

Oliver Shannon drove over a shot from the edge of the area for the visitors a minute before Bala took the lead on the stroke of halftime.

Henry Jones’ freekick was delivered towards the far post-meeting Nathan Peate’s header which initially rattled the crossbar before it fell nicely back into his path to nod it into the net on the stroke of halftime.

The second half began with Bala having a penalty shout waved away as Nathan Peate was bundled in the area.

Town were playing with more intent in the second half as Raul Correia was inches away from Will Evans’ teasing delivery into the box.

Yellow cards were shown to Venables and O’Neill as Kieran Mills-Evans’ free header soared over the crossbar from a free header for Newtown.

Rushton was called into action on the hour to deny James Davies’ drive into the box that saw him turn Shannon and Spittle.

Further cards were shown to Craig Williams and Henry Jones as Rushton pushed away Phillips’ cross into the area.

Substitutions saw McAllister make way for Ryan Edwards meanwhile Will Evans was replaced by Liam Davies with twenty minutes left to play.

Successive chances for the visitors could’ve seen them double their lead. Chris Venables did some excellent work in the centre of the park carving open the Newtown backline to release Correia, he set him back up with a cross into the box but it was palmed away for a corner by Jones. Bala broke once more a minute later but Henry Jones’ effort was blocked solidly by Mills-Evans.

More changes by the managers saw Rushton make way for Jamie Breese, Jordan Evans introduced instead of Jack Kelly and Ryan Pryce handed his first appearance for Bala instead of Raul Correia.

The Lakesiders could’ve added their second as Jones’ quick freekick arrived at Jonny Spittle who sweetly struck the ball on the volley which flew only centimetres away from the gaping net.

Five minutes from time, Bala’s perseverance paid off when the newly introduced Pryce curled in a sublime ball from the edge of the eighteen picking out an unmarked Chris Venables who headed home from three yards to double Bala’s advantage.

In the closing stages, George Hughes picked up two yellow cards in two minutes to see him sent for an early shower.

Bala almost added a third in injury time when Venables’ through ball opened up the Newtown defence to free Liam Davies into the area but one of the Robins defenders was able to recover and clear away his shot.

Newtown will rue their missed chances in the first half whilst Bala Town will be happy to notch their third consecutive win which keeps them hot on the heels of the Cymru Premier top three.

Goals: Nathan Peate 45′, Chris Venables 85′