Bala Town got a much-needed victory to reignite their top six hopes as they won 1-0 against a depleted Newtown side at Maes Tegid.
In what was a game with not many chances, Will Evans got the winner in first-half added time to send Bala into the top six.
The result moves Bala to fifth place in the table on 29 points, two ahead of seventh-place Caernarfon. Newtown remain in second on 33 points.
Bala started the better of the two teams and had their first chance in the second minute. Lassana Mendes ran through the defence and was one-on-one with Dave Jones, but his chipped effort was well saved by the Robins keeper.
The only chance for the visitors came in the 20th minute. Henry Cowans worked well to get himself into the channel, and his cross was met well by captain Aaron Williams, but his header sailed over the bar.
The game then went into a lull, but the hosts stepped up their efforts with ten minutes to go in the half. Firstly, Ollie Shannon had a swipe at the ball after a cross from Oliver Southern, but he couldn’t get a strong enough connection on the ball, leaving Jones to come out and collect it.
Then Shannon had another opportunity to get himself on the scoresheet, but his curling effort was again well saved by Jones.
But Jones’ goal was finally breached in added time of the first half. An excellent cross from Sean Smith was headed down by Kieran Smith, and Evans rifled his effort over the head of the Newtown keeper to put Bala one up at the break.
The second half was a far scrappier affair, with neither side creating any chances of note. But that suited Bala, and they got a much-needed victory in their quest to finish in the top six.
Bala’s next match will be a crucial one at home to Caernarfon, while Newtown will next travel to Cyncoed to take on Cardiff Met.
Player of the Match: Kieran Smith
Smith certainly had the biggest impact for Bala. His header provided the assist for Evans’ goal, but in the second half he ran his socks off in the midfield, cutting out any pass that went towards the final third.
Bala Town: Alex Ramsay (GK), Sean Smith, Nathan Peate, Lassana Mendes, Will Evans, Kieran Smith, Antony Kay ©, Dave Edwards (Calum Woods, 61’), Bradley Bauress, Oliver Southern, Ollie Shannon
Subs: Harri Lloyd (GK), Anthony Stephens, Steven Leslie, Steffan Williams, Steffan Jones, Daniel Walker-Rice
Yellow Cards: Stephen Fisher – Bala Assistant Manager (15’), Calum Woods (66’), Will Evans (86’)
Newtown: Dave Jones (GK), Brett Taylor (Ryan Edwards, 72’), Callum Roberts, Ryan Sears, Nick Rushton, James Davies (Rhys Hesden, 82’), Aaron Williams ©, Henry Cowans (Jordan Evans, 72’), George Hughes, Jake Walker, Naim Arsan
Subs: Max Williams (GK), Dylan Downs, Ben Guest
Yellow Cards: Dave Jones (39’), Brett Taylor (58’), Callum Roberts (86’)
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