Bala Town 0-4 Connah’s Quay: Nomads fire four past lacklusture Lakesiders
Connah’s Quay cruised to victory over Bala Town with goals coming from Craig Curran, Ryan Harrington and a Callum Morris brace at Maes Tegid.
The visitors had the perfect start to the match when after two minutes of play Aeron Edwards was tumbled in the box by Nathan Peate for referee Huw Jones to award a penalty. Callum Morris cooly slotted the ball into the right-hand side giving Craig Harrison’s men the lead.
It look until the 19th minute for Bala to test the Nomads backline when Chris Sang shook off John Disney to link up with Steve Leslie which allowed Rutherford to arrive on the end of a deep right-handed cross but for the linesman’s flag to deem him offside.
Soon it was 2-0 as Bala dropped cheap possession allowing Danny Holmes to direct a superb defence-splitting through ball to Declan Poole who instinctively drove a first time ball from the right-hand side to Craig Curran who slotted home.
Chances for the hosts were dealt with well by Oliver Byrne and his defence as Steve Leslie saw a freekick collected followed by a Sean Smith cross-cum-shot saved with ease.
Declan Poole was seeing plenty of the ball on the wing delivered another brilliant ball into the box was cleared by Oliver Shannon but his header arrived to the feet of Aeron Edwards but Alex Ramsay was able to save his effort.
Ramsay was the busier of the two shot-stoppers as he was called into action to deny Curran’s near range volley but in the final 15 minutes of the half, Bala saw a bit more of the ball to start building some much-needed momentum.
Disney brought down David Edwards for his penalty claims to be waved away prior to Rutherford’s cross looking for Sang but the forward mistimed his jump before the interval.
Edwards had a great opportunity to half the deficit minutes before the break when his volley on the turn at the edge of the box was saved strongly by Byrne.
The second half saw a dominant display from the visitors in a half that saw things go from bad to worse from a Bala point of view.
Four minutes into the second period saw Quay add a third to their tally. A superb 25 yard goal of the month contending strike from Ryan Harrington left Ramsay a spectator after an outstanding passage of play involving Holmes, Edwards and Mullan.
Quay were hitting their stride as they closed down the Lakesiders quickly and it became 4-0 as a box to box move led to Mullan to pick out Callum Morris to slot home for his second of the evening.
From the restart Chris Venables was sent off for a second bookable offence after a clumsy challenge on the halfway line to send the Lakesiders down to 10 men.
Kieran Smith followed Venables for an early shower in the 75th minute as he brought down Jamie Mullan as a last man taking Bala’s players down to nine.
To their credit, Bala’s nine men did well in the closing stages but they were almost dealt with another blow in added time as Byron Harrison rattled the post.
A night to forget for the Lakesiders who are winless in six meanwhile Quay now on a run of back to back wins taking them up to 6th in the table.
Bala Town: 1. Alex Ramsay, 3. Sean Smith, 4. Nathan Peate, 5. Anthony Stephens (15. Antony Kay 75’), 9. Chris Sang (10. Danny Walker Rice 68’), 11. Kieran Smith, 14. Steven Leslie, 8. Paul Rutherford, 19. David Edwards, 25. Chris Venables, 29. Ollie Shannon (21. Oliver Southern 68’).
Subs not used: 30. Harri Lloyd, 20. Brad Bauress.
Yellow Cards: Alex Ramsay 45’, Chris Venables 62’, Steve Leslie 62’, Oliver Shannon 65’.
Red Cards: Chris Venables 62’, Kieran Smith 76’.
Connah’s Quay: 1. Oliver Byrne, 2. John Disney, 4. Ryan Harrington, 5. George Horan, 7. Jamie Mullan, 8. Callum Morris, 12. Declan Poole (12. Declan Poole 73’), 15. Danny Holmes, 19. Craig Curran (9. Byron Harrison 77’), 22. Neal Eardley (6. Paulo Mendes 68’), 23. Aeron Edwards
Subs not used: 24. Kai Calderbank-Park, 11. Jordan Davies, 28. Josh Williams, 53. Harry Owen.
Yellow Cards: Neal Eardley 11’.
Goals: Callum Morris 3’ & 59’, Craig Curran 24’, Ryan Harrington 49’.
