What we learned from the Newtown v Bala Town encounter

Newtown are in a false position in the table

Watching the Robins today and seeing how well they passed the ball, found their men and created numerous chances, especially in the first half, it’s difficult to see how they’ve lost five out of their nine matches to date.

Jack Kelly was a handful down the left-hand side, the pacy frontline created plenty of opportunities but they need to learn to take them.

On today’s showing, they are in a very false position in the table and there’s no doubt that when things eventually click, they will cause problems for a lot of sides and climb the table accordingly.

Bala will have a healthy competition for the number one spot

With Alex Ramsay sitting out today’s fixture, new signing Jon Rushton was drafted in for his first match in seven months and definitely didn’t disappoint.

Called into action on two or three occasions in the first half, he was solid throughout and didn’t look out of place.

Colin Caton will have a selection headache for the number one spot going into Tuesday’s game v Flint Town United – who will he chose, Ramsay or Rushton?

Ryan Pryce can cross a mean football!

Signing for the Lakesiders on Deadline Day, Ryan Pryce was introduced in the final ten minutes and made an immediate impact.

His deadly delivery from the edge of the eighteen yard box was placed perfectly on the head of Venables who couldn’t miss from two yards out. The ball was placed on a plate, he might as well have laid out all the cutlery out too and served the meal which Venables gobbled up.

Wearing vibrant neon pink boots and putting balls into the box like that, Pryce brought even more flair to an impressive Bala squad.

Cream rises to the top: Chris Venables

It was a relatively quiet afternoon for Chris Venables who worked hard as always but just wasn’t seeing the rub of the green.

However like all players of his quality, he popped up when it matters to head home Town’s second goal of the afternoon and sealing all three points for the Lakesiders.

Taking his goal tally up to nine goals for the season to date, Chris is already on the way to retaining his Golden Boot Trophy.

Newtown need to take their chances

Chris Hughes will be disappointed that the Robins didn’t take away any points from Saturday’s game.

The first half saw them cause havoc through Neil Mitchell, James Davies and Nick Rushton but the three players faded in the second half and weren’t half as effective.

Missed chances proved costly today and is something they need to capitalise on like they most certainly were for spells during the first half.

Peate is flourishing with the Lakesiders

Brought in over the summer, Nathan Peate has certainly made an early season impression for Bala at both ends of the pitch.

A man of the match display at Latham Park saw him deliver yet again a faultless performance in the backline but also scored the crucial opener on the stroke of halftime.

With three goals to his name already this season, he is proving to be useful at both ends of the pitch.