After years of staring at maps and bus timetables I finally made it to Bala Town, with Mrs B away on holiday for the week it seemed like the ideal time to visit the 'Lakesiders'. My route was meticulously planned and I was all set for a long day out and an experience of public transport that could be hard to beat, when Horatio announced he would join me and drive.
Online reviews led us to plan to eat at the 'White Lion', plenty of choice for the vegetarian Horatio. However, if you go on a Sunday, it is carvery only (not advertised), not much use to your average veggie. Off to the chippy down the road, was ok, with quite possibly the smallest fish I have ever been served, and costly.
After a walk up and down the town and a coffee we made our way to Maes Tegid, the home of Bala Town. Found down a couple of narrow streets the ground is set at an odd angle to the passing road, next to a bowling green and cricket ground. Entry is at the southern end, next to the clubhouse, Town's home has a beautiful Welsh backdrop almost everywhere you look.
As you enter the ground, to your right is the food and tea caravan. and behind the goal is a small covered standing area, opposite is the 'Tree End' open standing, a rising grass bank and some stunning large tress bordering the clubs land. The side where you enter has the players 'tunnel' from the clubhouse and a long covered seating area, the cover itself is metal and with the beautiful weather we had for my visit you could feel the heat coming through. Opposite, the TV tower/facility, dugouts and open standing. A really nice ground.
Bala installed a 3G pitch over the summer and only recently played their first game on it (the week before), you get the feeling that this is a club progressing, doing it the correct way, slowly but surely and I hope it continues, just please don't replace the clubhouse folks!
As the match kicked off, Bala and Newtown sat in the bottom half of the league, Newtown rooted to last spot, the first 45 minutes showed why both teams are where they are as they struggled to impose any style of play on the game and chances were at a premium. Both defences coped with most of what was thrown at them and when they couldn't keepers Morris and Jones were more than up to the tasks asked of them.
Bala made a substitution at the break and took control of the game, slowly turning up the heat as the half progressed and restricting Newtown to the odd break. However, the Lakesiders could not turn the pressure into goals, chances were coming and going, efforts being blocked, straight at the keeper or flying just inches wide; the Robins continued to cause problems when they broke.
With ten minutes to go, Town got the goal their play deserved. Yet another cross from the excellent Sheridan found Hunt at the far post and he finished from close range with his head, 1-0 Bala, it was the least they deserved. In the final minutes both teams pressed but neither really looked like adding to the afternoon's goal tally and the hosts claimed all 3 points on a beautiful sunny afternoon. A great day out.
ASHTON ATHLETIC 3 WINSFORD UNITED 0
A deserved win for the hosts on an increasingly frustrating night for both the visitors and any neutrals. Some excellent Athletic performances, in particular from Kusaloka, Sargant and Gilchrist were undermined by the antics of their midfield. The constant screaming out in agony and rolling around every time they were tackled was pitiful to watch, especially when they did play football you could see they were pretty good at it. Thankfully the referee was not totally hoodwinked by it and funnily enough when he started ignoring it, they soon recovered and got back to their feet.
Up front Kusaloka is a handful and although he can sometimes give the appearance of losing control of the ball, the fact he continues to run with it gave Winsford's defenders a very busy night. The forward scored two and with a bit more luck he would have added to the dozen goals he has already claimed this season.
A third was added late on, a decent strike from distance by Watson to complete the deserved win.
RUNCORN TOWN 3 HANLEY TOWN 1
Hanley Town must take some credit from this fixture for keeping themselves in the match and not allowing their hosts run away with it. From the off the blues were in charge and creating chances, though it took them to nearly half-time to take the lead when skipper Thelwell thumped home from the edge of the box. The visitors showing their fighting spirit almost immediately when they hit the post.
After the break Cairns took control, after a lively first 45 where the ball just would not drop right for him, it took him less than a minute to score his sides second. Despite conceding two in 5 minutes Hanley still gave it a go and the game moved from end to end though the hosts remained the better side, this domination showing when Cairns got his second not long after the hour.
Five minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty, converted by Cope and went close on another couple of occasions, if one of those efforts would have gone in, it would have been an interesting last 10 minutes or so even after being reduced to 10 as Morton was shown a second yellow.
SQUIRES GATE 0 NEW MILLS 1
(after 45 minutes of Blackpool Wren Rovers v Walney Island)
Turning up early does occasionally have benefits, today's was catching the first 45 minutes of the Lancashire FA Shield as Rovers started the defence of their trophy hosting Walney Island. Though it looks like I watched the wrong half! The match finishing 5-2 to the holders, I saw one of those seven goals. Damn.
After moving next door to the Royal British Legion Stadium, the hosts started the 1st Round of the NWCFL League Cup the brighter, and were left to regret not taking their early chances as the went out at the first hurdle. As the half progressed the Millers grew in confidence and came closest to scoring in the opening 45 when Marshall's cross struck the foot of the near post, unsure if it was by design or accident.
As the teams came back out for the second half, I renewed a very old acquaintance with the visitors joint boss Daniel Douglas-Pringle, good to see you again sir. Within 5 minutes his charges had taken the lead and what a goal, Ryan Hibbert striking a free-kick from 25 yards up and over the wall, leaving the keeper no chance. Take a bow son!
New Mills controlled the second half, the only surprise being that the match finished 1-0, they hit the woodwork again and Gate had to count on their keeper Fletcher to keep the score down.
As always a nice welcome in Blackpool.
Milestones: 69th Red Card and 95th Penalty, 58th scored (both for Hanley Town at Ashton Athletic); 100th goal of the season (Hunt - Bala Town)
SOUNDTRACK OF THE WEEK: Darkness on the Edge of Town - Bruce Springsteen
