Bala Town 5-0 Flint Town United: Five-star Lakesiders run riot
12/12/2020 - Bala Town 4-1 Cardiff Met © Colin Ewart
Bala Town closed out the end of Phase One with an emphatic 5-0 ictory over Flint Town United.
The Lakesiders’ three-game losing streak came to an end, as Colin Caton’s 701st game in charge of Bala ended in victory.
For the visitors, the loss means they remain in 11th place.
Goals from Lassana Mendes, Antony Kay, and Steven Leslie, and a brace from Chris Venables ensured the three points for Bala at Maes Tegid.
The first chance of the game fell to Venables. Ryan Pryce delivered a low corner into the box, and Venables fired over the crossbar.
Venables put the ball into the back of the net after following in from a rebounded effort from Will Evans. The referee blew for a free-kick against Bala and the goal was disallowed.
The deadlock was broken through an unbelievable strike by Bala midfielder Mendes. He cut in from the left-hand side and fired a great effort into the top corner.
Flint reacted well to going one down, as they began holding onto the ball for greater spells.
Evans came close again, but his effort from range flew wide of the far post.
Bala were unlucky not to double their lead when Evans dribbled to the by-line, but his cross to Venables was cleared.
Venables was denied by a fantastic save from Ryan Woods late in the first half. The striker’s header was destined for the bottom corner, but the goalkeeper saved remarkably from point-blank range.
The first attempt of the second half fell to Edmond Clarke. The full-back fired wide from far out.
Bala’s lead was doubled when Kay headed home at the back post from a Steven Leslie corner.
Venables scored another disallowed goal, this time coming from his head. It was disallowed as he ws offside.
The lead was extended further as league top-scorer Venables finally got his goal. His quick feet allowed the striker space to get his shot off, and it fired in off the crossbar.
Evans and Venables linked up minutes later, with Venables heading across goal and Evans blasting over from close.
Flint substitute Mark Cadwallader found space on the right-hand side and provided a cross to Rob Hughes at the back post. Hughes failed to connect sweetly with the ball, and the shot bounced wide.
Bala added a fourth through midfielder Leslie. Leslie struck a sweet effort from outside the box, and it found the top right corner.
Venables secured his brace with a tap in from close in the final 10 minutes of the match.
Bala Town: Harri Lloyd, Sean Smith, Anthony Stephens, Jonathan Spittle, Will Evans, Steven Leslie (Liam Davies 82’), Antony Kay, Lassana Mendes, Jack Mackreth (Henry Jones 77’), Chris Venables ©, Oliver Shannon (Ryan Pryce 4’/ Kieran Smith 77’).
Goals: Lassana Mendes (20’), Antony Kay (48’), Chris Venables (53’, 83’), Steven Leslie (75’)
Yellow cards: Antony Kay (17’)
Flint Town United: Ryan Woods, Sam Hart, Edmond Clarke, Kai Edwards, Rob Hughes, Josh Amis, Alex Jones ©, Evan Gumbs, Jordan Buckley (Mark Cadwallader 60’), Daniel Roberts (Thomas Kemp 73’), Ben Maher.
Yellow Card: Ben Maher (82’)
