Bala Town 1-4 The New Saints: Ben Clark puts in player of the match performance for Saints

TNS hammered Bala 4-1 at Maes Tegid to move twelve points clear at the top of the Cymru Premier.

Goals from Ben Clark, Blaine Hudson, Declan McManus and Jordan Williams gave the Saints a well-deserved victory, while Chris Sang got a very late consolation goal for Bala.

The opening 15 minutes were tepid, with both sides testing each other with crosses but neither gaining any real control.

18 minutes in Clark put TNS in front. McManus set off on a mazy run from the halfway line and got a shot off outside the box which was tipped away by Alex Ramsay out wide.

The ball was worked back into the area and Williams laid off Clark who poked his shot into the top corner.

Less than ten minutes later TNS doubled their lead. A free kick from Chris Marriott was whipped in with pace and evaded the Bala defence and found the head of Hudson, who powered it past Ramsay.

Bala had chances to claw one back after the break. Firstly, Lassana Mendes had a shot from distance which just sailed over the bar before David Edwards executed a perfect curling effort which just clipped the outside of the post.

However, TNS were good value for their lead at the break.

The visitors started the half as they ended the first. Daniel Redmond chipped a ball into McManus, but his looping header floated over the bar.

Will Evans then had a great opportunity to bring Bala back into the game. His overhead kick was heading into the top corner, but Paul Harrison produced a superb save to keep TNS’ two goal lead.

Halfway through the second half, TNS had a chance to go three up through a penalty.

McManus dribbled into the area and had his shot saved well by Ramsay, who then undid all of his good work by blatantly tripping up McManus, leaving the referee with no option but point to the spot.

McManus dusted himself down to step up and rifle the ball down the middle to go 3-0 up.

TNS’ fourth came two minutes later. A cross Clark was not collected by Ramsay and the Bala defence could not clear the ball, and it ended up being bundled in by Williams.

Sang did get a consolation goal for the hosts seven minutes from the end. A pass from Mendes found Sang in the box, who’s low drive gave Harrison no chance in the TNS net.

The victory keeps TNS top, while Bala drop down to sixth, having only won one of their last five games.

Bala’s next match will see them go away to Haverfordwest, while TNS will travel to Jenner Park to take on Barry Town.

Player of the Match: Ben Clark

Clark was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch tonight. His vision was exemplary, and his driving runs through the midfield caused Bala a lot of problems.

Bala

Alex Ramsay (GK), Calum Woods (Oliver Southern, 70’), Sean Smith, Anthony Stephens, Lassana Mendes, Will Evans (Danny Walker-Rice, 72’), Kieran Smith, Antony Kay (C), Paul Rutherford, David Edwards (Chris Sang, 81’), Ollie Shannon

Subs: Johny Spittle, Steven Leslie

Yellow Cards: Will Evans (36’), Ollie Shannon (60’), Kieran Smith (68’), Anthony Stephens (89’)

TNS

Paul Harrison (GK), Chris Marriott (C), Ryan Astles, Jonathan Routledge, Ryan Brobbel, Declan McManus (Louis Robles, 79’), Daniel Redmond, Blaine Hudson, Jordan Williams (Adrian Cieslewicz, 69’), Ben Clark (Leo Smith, 79’), Daniel Davies

Subs: Connor Roberts (GK), Ashley Baker, Jake Canavan, Morgan Daykin

Yellow Cards: Ben Clark (23’)