BALA TOWN 0, THE NEW SAINTS 1
AFTER three hours of football between Bala Town and The New Saints this season, it came down to a solitary strike to separate the sides.
Back in the autumn Colin Caton’s charges ground out an excellent goalless draw at Park Hall and that was also the score in the reverse fixture at Maes Tegid when the sides enjoyed their half-time cuppa.
But Saints claimed a vital advantage three minutes into the second half.
Scott Ruscoe’s deep left-wing cross on 48 minutes eluded Bala central defender Danny Jellicoe and on-loan Wrexham frontman Steve Abbott was there to steer his shot from a narrow angle past keeper Leon Bimpson and into the far corner.
That goal saw The New Saints momentarily replace Llanelli at the top of the Welsh Premier League rankings, while the outcome also had an impact on Bala’s league standing.
With Airbus UK Broughton gaining the expected three points at home to Caersws, and Carmarthen Town surprisingly winning at Port Talbot Town, the gap between Bala and the 11th-placed Old Gold is now down to only four points.
On a positive note for Bala, there are only some 10 games left to see out this season and team boss Caton believes three more wins will seal a Super 12 spot for the men from Maes Tegid for next season.
Turning back to Friday’s action and The New Saints were worthy winners in front of yet another fine Maes Tegid attendance of 441.
That’s the fourth biggest crowd at the ground this season, behind the games against Bangor City (938), Rhyl (809) and Porthmadog (633).
To date 4,336 people have watched Welsh Premier League football at Bala this season, at almost 400 spectators every game - the third best average home gate in the league behind Bangor City and Rhyl.
The New Saints may have felt that they should have been ahead by half-time after having two penalty claims turned down in the opening period.
Danny Jellicoe appeared to foul Steve Abbott in the box, but nothing was given, while on another occasion TNS had penalty shouts turned down for hand ball.
Bala had chances too in the first period, striker John Toner twice unable to make the most of good passes from Ricky Evans, and John Irving heading the ball on the roof of the net in first-half stoppage time.
The Saints continued to pose a threat after taking the lead, with Pip Baker side-footing an effort against the post, while Chris Sharp failed to find his elusive first goal in green and white.
Sharp lobbed Bimpson, but saw his effort hit the angle of bar and post.
Toner went close to equalising against his old club in the final quarter when he hooked the ball over visiting keeper Paul Harrison only to look on in agony as his effort hit the post.
Bala continued to press and Ricky Evans fired a 25-yard free kick straight at Harrison before a Warren Duckett cross went begging as it zipped across the front of the TNS goal.
Bala Town: Bimpson, Irving (Duckett), S Fisher (Thompson), Powell, Jellicoe, D Williams, Roberts, R Jefferies, Toner (N Fisher), R Evans, Lloyd
The New Saints: Harrison, Holmes, Marriott, Baker, S Evans, McKenna, Ruscoe, Wood, Sharp (Berkeley), Abbott, Seargeant (C Williams)