Football

Bala still seeking first points

Principality Welsh Premier League

The New Saints 2

Bala Town 1

BALA Town slipped to their third successive defeat in the newly-restructured Welsh Premier Super 12 after a late header by Alex Darlington denied Colin Caton’s men a share of the spoils at Park Hall.
The Lakesiders, looking to bounce back from defeats against Port Talbot Town and Bangor City, produced a spirited display against the defending champions, with Mark Jones cancelling out an early opening goal from Chris Sharp for the hosts.
Bala’s hopes were raised when danger man Sharp was sent off for dissent in the 52nd minute by referee Matt Bridges, but the Saints held firm before notching their second win through Darlington’s header.
With just eight minutes left, Darlington, a first half replacement for Matthew Williams, headed home a cross from the impressive Craig Jones to snatch the points.
It was a cruel blow for the visitors, but they could take plenty of positives from a committed performance, and go into this weekend’s match against Haverfordwest County at Maes Tegid in upbeat mood.
The Saints, returning to league action after claiming a draw in Europe against Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, made the perfect start when Sharp steered in Jones’ cross.
Sharp, the son of ex-Everton and Scotland player and Bangor City manager Graeme Sharp, had chances to extend the Saints’ advantage, but Caton’s men worked hard to keep the rampant homesters at bay.
Bala also had their chances, with Neil Fisher and Ross Jefferies having efforts before they stunned the Saints by forcing an equaliser midway through the first half.
A Ross Jeffries header was knocked put for a corner by Steve Evans, and from Mike Thompson’s flag kick Mark Evans fired home, via the underside of the bar.
The hometsers hit back with Sharp missing the target under pressure from Bala keeper Craig Vernon, after being put through by Chris Seargent, and Scott Ruscoe narrowly failed to connect with another teasing cross from wide man Jones.
Further pressure saw Alex Darlington fire wide of the target, while Vernon also had to be alert to deny Phil Baker from a corner at the start of the second period.
The Saints were hampered by injuries to Matty Williams and Phil Baker either side of the interval, and when Sharp was sent off on 51 minutes, the visitors looked to capitalise on their one-man advantage.
It needed a last-ditch tackle from defender Steve Evans to keep out Mike Thompson, but Darlington went close at the other end with a header, before he finally sunk Bala’s hearts by scoring on 82 minutes.
Bala almost salvaged a point in the dying minutes when Neil Fisher just failed to get on the end of Mark Powell’s free-kick, but the hosts held firm to secure their victory.
Bala remain pointless after three matches, but manager Caton will not be pressing the panic button just yet, and on this performance the results should come soon.

TNS: P Harrison; D Holmes; P Baker (C Rowlinson 61); S Evans; T Holmes; C Seargeant; B Hogan; S Ruscoe; C Sharp; M Williams ( Darlington 29); C Jones. subs: J Wood; M Berkeley.
BALA TOWN: C Vernon; M Powell; G Lloyd; S Kelly (R Evans 64); D Jellicoe; D Williams; J Irving; M Jones; R Jefferies (S Morrison 56); N Fisher; M Thompson. Sub: S Fisher. Att: 312.

Pictured: Bala manager Colin Caton.