Chirk AAA 1-6 Bala Town: Bala ease past Chirk in Nathaniel MG Cup
Bala Town breezed past JD Cymru North side Chirk AAA in the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup on Sunday afternoon to book themselves into Round Three.
David Edwards set the tone for the afternoon as he opened the scoring for the visitors with only a minute on the clock as he headed home Paul Rutherford’s delivery.
It was domination from Colin Caton’s side as they played quick football on the deck with Lassana Mendes and George Newell causing numerous problems with their pace and intricate passing to carve open their opponents.
The influential Mendes doubled Bala’s tally after 14 minutes of play as Rutherford brilliantly beat the offside trap and squared the ball into the path of Mendes who turned the ball into the net.
Oliver Shannon almost added a third as his powerful strike from the edge of the box rattled the crossbar midway through the half.
A minute before halftime, David Edwards stepped up and perfectly dispatched a twenty-five-yard freekick into the top right-hand corner to seal a third for the visitors.
Much of the same followed in the early phases of the second half with Kieran Smith, Mendes, Edwards, and Newell looking lively for the Lakesiders.
Newell notched Town’s fourth in the fiftieth minutes when he followed up Mendes’ blocked effort to tap in from close range.
The fifth came on the 63rd minute when newly introduced substitute Luke Wall struck home from eight yards after a run into the box.
To their credit, Chirk who had worked extremely hard to contain the Lakesiders got their rewards as Steffan Rogers was initially blocked by Alex Ramsay but followed up the rebound to net a consolation for the hosts in the 67th minute.
Bala took their foot off the gas but in the 84th minute a 6th was added when Oliver Southern’s deep cross was bundled over by Ross White to ensure the Lakesiders booked their spot in Round 3 of the draw.
Chirk AAA: 1. Mark Richards, 2. Adam Williams, 3. Ryan Williams, 4. Jake Ellison, 5. Caleb Davies (16. Matty Williams 40′), 6. Ashton Williams (Jack Massey 71′), 7. Jack Edwards, 8. Steffan Rodgers, 9. Jordan MacCarter (15. Louie Middlehurst 59′), 10. Jack Orbell, 11. Lewis Clamp (12. Ed Baker 59′).
Subs not used: 14. Ryan Davies, 18. Dale Davies.
Goal: Steffan Rodgers 67′).
Bala Town: 1. Alex Ramsay, 4. Nathan Peate, 7. Lassana Mendes, 11. Kieran Smith, 15. Antony Kay, 18. Paul Rutherford (8. Luke Wall 55′), 19. David Edwards, 23. Ross White, 27. George Newell, 28. Naim Arsan (21. Oliver Southern 50′), 29. Oliver Shannon (9. Chris Venables 79′).
Subs not used: 13. Harri Lloyd, 10. James Davies.
Goals: David Edwards 2′ & 45+2′, Lassana Mendes 14′, George Newell 50′, Ross White 84′.
