BALA Town saw out 2019 in fine style as they toasted a festive double over rivals Caernarfon Town in the JD Cymru Premier League with a 3-0 win, to stay hot on the heels of leaders The New Saints.

After their 2-1 Boxing Day cracker at the Oval, the Lakesiders took an early lead through Henry Jones, and second half goals by Chris Venables and Jonathan Spittle sealed the last points of the decade.

The Cofis had been left to rue Venables’ late winner on Boxing Day, but Sean Eardley’s side could have few complaints about this defeat, despite making a bright start in the opening minutes.

Ben Clarke, Sion Bradley and Leo Smith all had chances early on for the visitors, but it was Bala who broke the deadlock after nine minutes when Andy Burns and Louis Robles broke well, and Venables carved open the Caernarfon defence and found an unmarked Jones to slot home.

Things got worse for the visitors midway through the half as Nathan Craig unfortunately collided with Shaun Cavanagh in the midfield, which resulted in their captain being stretchered off after a lengthy on-field examination for severe concussion.

Caernarfon’s Gruff John was also forced off the field through injury, and the Lakesiders took control of the game, with Venables twice, and Jones also going close to doubling the lead before the break.

Within five minutes of the second half, however, Bala went further ahead when Spittle’s long ball forward found Venables, who pounced on a Gareth Edwards mistake, before dancing past keeper Alex Ramsay to slot home his 18th goal of the season.

The visitors worked hard in an effort to get back into the game, and Darren Thomas and Son Bradley both went close to reducing the arrears, but they could not quite find the target with their efforts.

Resilient Bala, however, were in no mood to give Caernarfon a foothold in the game, and their efforts were helped when the visitors’ Leo Smith was shown a straight red card for a late tackle.

With seven minutes left to play, keeper Ramsay dropped the ball from a cross and Spittle rocketed in an effort from six yards out for Bala’s killer third goal - and there was no way back for the Cofis.

Bala could have added to their tally in the closing minutes as Mike Hayes drove forward and saw his chance smothered by Ramsay, prior to Lee Molyneux also flying down the wing and firing wide.

It was a fitting end to a very memorable decade for the Lakesiders - and after a short break from action, they will resume their top three challenge away against Cardiff Met on 11 January.

BALA TOWN: J Tibbetts, A Burns, S Smith, A Stephens, J Spittle, N Burke, H Jones (M Hayes 89’), S Leslie (S Jones 90’), L Robles (L Molyneux 89’), L Mendes, C Venables. Subs not used: A Morris (gk), S Kelly, S Sullivan.

CAERNARFON: A Ramsay, N Craig (C Jones 85’), G Edwards, J Breese, D Thomas, G John (D Brookwell 35’), B Clark, R Williams, S Cavanagh, S Bradley (G Evans 55’), L Smith. Subs not used: O Goulding (gk), J Williams, S Jones. Attendance: 589. Referee: M Petch.