Sameron Dool’s stunning long-range strike rescued a dramatic late point for Connah’s Quay Nomads against an impressive Bala Town side.
The visitors took the lead on the half-hour mark when debutant Nathan Peate’s header looped over Nomads keeper Lewis Brass.
The Lakesiders looked comfortable despite the intense pressure the champions applied at times in the match.
However, there was to be late heartbreak for Colin Caton’s side, who must have thought they had done enough to secure an eye-catching victory at Deeside.
Dool collected the ball 25 yards from goal and unleashed a sublime effort which had the dip and swerve required to find the top right corner. Bala keeper Alex Ramsay could only stand and admire what was an outstanding finish.
The Nomads were lively during the early exchanges, with Andy Morrison’s men looking to pin Bala back into their own half.
Once Bala found their feet in the match, they were able to cause the home side problems in the air as, like the Nomads, they looked to pump the ball into the box.
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-1 Bala Town. © Nikitas Mesney
The Lakesiders were able to transfer their advantage in the air into a goal. Peate, who joined the Maes Tegid outfit from Cefn Druids, got his head onto a dangerous free-kick into the area and saw the ball loop perfectly over Brass and into the net.
Bala almost scored a second goal ten minutes later through Jonny Spittle, whose header came off the inside of the post with nobody on hand to react to the rebound.
Once the storm had settled, the Nomads brought the game to the visitors once more, with Bala being forced into their own area.
The Nomads started the second half brightly as they pushed for an equaliser.
A succession of corners for the hosts led to two chances in a matter of seconds for Craig Curran, whose efforts were blocked by a wall of Bala players who defended valiantly throughout the game.
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-1 Bala Town. © Nikitas Mesney
New Nomads signing Aeron Edwards, who arrived on Deeside from The New Saints, tried a spectacular bicycle kick inside the area which was blocked on it’s route to goal.
Priestley Farquharson, the Nomads defender, went close to equalising when his header at the back post was just inches away from goal.
The champions began to grow more frustrated as the half wore on, as Morrison encouraged more of his players to go forward.
Bala tried to exploit this on numerous occasions, with new signing Will Evans and last season’s golden boot winner Chris Venables looking dangerous on the counter-attack for the visitors.
The two almost combined for a second, with Evans pulling off a fancy flick that was perfectly weighted for Venables to control and shoot at Lewis Brass, but his effort was saved.
Venables went close to creating a second when he was able to turn his man in the box and whip in a low dangerous cross, however he was disappointed to not see a teammate on the end of his delivery.
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-1 Bala Town. © Nikitas Mesney
Wilde must have thought he had scored the Nomads’ equalising goal, but his header at the far post hit a Bala defender’s head before ricocheting into the nose of Ramsay and away from danger. The Lakesiders keeper had to receive treatment as the blood started to flow, but he was able continue.
It looked as if it was going to be one of those nights for the champions, who were unable to break down the Lakesiders’ defence all afternoon with Ramsay being there to rescue Bala when they required him.
But, seconds away from beginning their title defence with defeat, Dool’s thunderous strike spared the Nomads’ blushes.
The Deeside outfit will now head into their Europa League second qualifying round tie against Dinamo Tbilisi on Thursday with some confidence.
On the other hand, Bala will have to pick themselves up again after suffering late disappointment when they travel to Belgium for what should be a challenging tie with Standard Liege.
Connah’s Quay Nomads: Lewis Brass, John Disney, Priestley Farquharson, Daniel Harrison (Kris Owens, 76), Callum Morris (C) (Jamie Insall, 45), Michael Wilde, Daniel Holmes, Craig Curran, Sameron Singh-Dool, Aeron Edwards.
Goals: Sameron Singh-Dool 94’
Yellow Cards: Sameron Singh-Dool 22’
Bala Town: Alex Ramsay, Sean Smith, Nathan Peate, Jonathan Spittle, Will Evans, Steven Leslie, Lassana Mendes (Kieran Smith, 65), Chris Venables, Oliver Shannon.
Goals: Nathan Peate 23’
Yellow Cards: Sean Smith 5, Nathan Peate 88’
You can find out how the game unfolded here:
(Featured Image: Nikitas Mesney)
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