Flint Town United 1-2 Bala Town: Leslie free-kick secures win for Lakesiders
Flint came in to this fixture looking to break there 5 game winless run whereas Bala were looking to continue their impressive unbeaten away record they had all season
The Away side started the brightest in this game and they were the first side to have a chance when JD Cymru Premier top goalscorer Chris Venables hit a left footed effort but it was straight at Aaron Jones the Flint goalkeeper.
The lakesiders continued to apply the early pressure and 5 minutes into the game they had another chance as Steven Leslie hit a cross and found Lassana Mendes but he couldn’t control it well and flint cleared. The next chance fell just only a minute later as Will Evans was found on the edge of the box by the visitors but he could only hit an effort wide after making some space.
10 minutes gone and it was the home teams turn to have some pressure as they earnt a free kick. The resulting set piece was whipped in and there was some shouts for handball as it trickled out for a corner but referee Simon Evans did not agree. The Lakesiders then had a chance of their own on the 17th minute when Will Evans hit one but unfortunately for him it didn’t have enough power.
Bala then began with what they started during the first 5 minutes of the game and applied the pressure to the homeside. The lakesiders had a few half chances during this spell, the closest one coming when Chris Venables was sent through but he couldn’t latch on to a through ball from midfield.
The homeside held their visitors at bay and they were rewarded with their battling in the 29th minute as they earnt a free kick just past the centre circle. Nathan Craig stepped up to the set piece and hit a high long ball into the Bala box to find Ben Nash who headed across goal to Alex Jones who controlled the ball and hit it into the roof of the net to open the scoring.
The Silkmen nearly made it two on the 33rd minute when good work from Joe Palmer allowed him to find his teammate Ben Nash who then proceeded to hit a shot from 20 yards out which went just over the bar.
Bala then again turned it up and applied the pressure yet again and they were rewarded this time as a Will Evans was found from a long ball from the just before the centre circle after a mishead from Ben Maher and he hit a high ball into the path of Chris Venables at the back post unmarked and allowed him to head towards the goal line. There was then appeals from the Flint players saying the ball had not crossed the line but the linesman on the far right deemed it cross the line with his flag and the goal was given.
The second half began with Bala on the front foot and they made an instant impact. Lassino Mendes made a run and earnt a free kick in a dangerous position for the Lakesiders.
Up stepped winger Steven Leslie to take and hit a curling effort into the bottom left corner past Aaron Jones in the Flint net to give Bala the lead. That goal gave the visitors more confidence and they continued applying the pressure.
The Next chance of the game came when there was good link up play between Will Evans and Chris Venables which allowed Evans to have a shot from distance but he could only hit it wide.
The visitors then applied more pressure and had consecutive corners but the homeside battled hard and cleared to stop the away side from scoring a third.
The 71st minute came along and there was an appeal for handball by Bala when Jonny Spittle hit a ball into the box but again Simon Evans did not agree.
The homeside then turned it up a gear and looked to find an equaliser from various chances. The first one came when Captain Richie Foulkes found substitute Ben Steer in the box from the wing but he could only hit it wide.
The homeside then turned to recent singing and experienced JD Cymru Premier and ex Bala Town striker Les Davies for a goal when he replaced Joe Palmer in the 81st minute. A minute later and they nearly got that equalizer with the next chance of the game when Rob Hughes hit a free kick from distance just over the bar.
The minutes were going up on the clock and both teams pressured one another as they looked to find another goal. The closest for Bala was when Henry Jones hit a free kick, passed everybody and went inches wide. Flint almost scored themselves when there was a scramble in the box off a long throw but it was cleared by Bala.
Four Minutes were added on and both sides battled but it was the visitors who held to take the three points.
Flint Town Starting XI – Aaron Jones, Sam Hart, Nathan Craig, Ben Nash, Kai Edwards, Rob Hughes, Richie Foulkes, Alex Jones, Callum Bratley, Joe Palmer, Ben Maher.
Substitutes: Jamie King, Ben Steer, Kai Wallis, Ben Lockley, Harry Lockley, Les Davies.
Bala Town Starting XI – Alex Ramsay, Sean Smith, Nathan Peate, Jonny Spittle, Will Evans, Raul Correia, Steven Leslie, Anthony Kay, Lassana Mendes, Chris Venables, Oliver Shannon.
Substitutes – Anthony Stephens, Henry Jones, Liam Davies, Llyr Morris, Ryan Pryce.
Goals
Alex Jones 28 mins , Chris Venables 37 Mins , Steven Leslie 46 mins
(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)
