BALA Town produced a first half master-class to consolidate second spot in the Dafabet Welsh Premier as a brace from Lee Hunt and a Mike Hayes strike put them on track for a solid 3-0 victory over third-placed MBi Llandudno.

The Lakesiders’ third successive win lifted them four points clear of Llandundo in the race for the second European qualifying place, and they go into the second phase of the season in a strong position.

A promising start from the hosts saw Kieran Smith fire an early Bala chance over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty box, and then Ryan Valentine floated a chance to close to keeper Dave Roberts.

A Conall Murtagh delivery was then headed wide by Ian Sheridan, and Smith fired wide from a corner as the Lakesiders really took the game to their opponents.

Hunt also saw a powerful strike from the edge of the 18 yard box fly inches wide of Roberts’ upright, and Hayes drove forward and crossed the ball towards Smith, who failed to capitalise from six yards.

The pressure finally paid off on 23 minutes when a header was cleared off the line and the ever alert Hunt instantly blasted the ball into the back of the net.

Bala could have made it 2-0 as Hayes broke free and shot straight at Roberts, and Hunt was unable to reach the loose ball before the defence managed to clear.

Striker Hunt, however, got his second goal on 31 minutes when he directed his header from the penalty spot past Roberts to double the Lakesiders’ advantage.

Yet more chances saw Stuart Jones blast the ball wide of the post from a free kick, whilst David Thompson sent a teasing ball into the area and Hunt struck wide.

An overhead kick by Anthony Stephens flew narrowly over, but Town then added a third goal on the stroke of halftime.

Thompson beat his marker down the left to deliver a pin-point pass into the path of Hayes at the back post to slot home.

Tudno started the second half with more purpose and on 52 minutes Alan Bull hit the post, with only the keeper to beat.

Ten minutes later, Bull went one-on-one with Ashley Morris, but the keeper saved well with his feet, whilst at the other end Smith picked out Hayes, but the forward couldn’t get enough power on his shot.

Llandudno stepped up as Marc Williams and substitute Connor Tierney both fired over the bar, and when the ball was handled in the box Williams fired straight at keeper Morris from the penalty spot.

There was still time for Keiran Smith to be dismissed for foul language, but it was already job done for the Lakesiders.

BALA: A Morris, R Valentine, A Stephens, S Jones, C Murtagh, M Jones (C Harris 78), D Thompson, M Hayes, I Sheridan, K Smith, L Hunt. Subs: C Vernon, J Irving, M Connolly.

LLANDUDNO: D Roberts, D Taylor, J Joyce, M Johnston, D Hughes, M Williams, L Riley (D Shaw 46), A Bull, M Williams, L Dawson (L Buckley 46), T Dix (C Tierney 71). Subs not used: J Spittle, G Evans. Attendance: 328.