BALA Town notched up their first win in the JD Welsh Premier League since Boxing Day as they recorded a determined 2-0 win over Barry Town United at rain-drenched Jenner Park.

A first-half strike from Andrew Burns, followed by a penalty from Chris Venables in the second period, sealed a fine victory at Jenner Park to revive their hopes of a top-four finish.

After a tough spell, their first win in seven league outings will serve as a timely boost ahead of Friday’s testing trip to title-chasing The New Saints.

“We knew we had to put it right ourselves, and a performance like that shows what we can do,” said Bala boss Colin Caton. “It was an outstanding performance, and it sets a benchmark for us for the rest of the season.

“Things haven’t gone for us this season with one thing and another, but we can’t make excuses. If we can perform like that week in week out, then who knows where we would be.

“We were consistently good for the 90 minutes, and we could have won this match by eight or nine goals.”

After the original fixture in February was abandoned due to a floodlights failure - it was the Lakesiders who produced an illuminating display.

An electric start by Bala had seen a Chris Venables header collected by Mike Lewis, and Anthony Miley unable to capitalise after getting on the end of Henry Jones’ teasing free kick.

Bala were in full control and Venables once more forced a save, before Evan Horwood sliced a chance wide and then Henry Jones rattled the crossbar with a long distance effort.

Their deserved opener finally arrived on 32 minutes when Andy Burns unleashed a rocket from the edge of the penalty box into the top corner.

Minutes before the half-time interval, Mike Hayes drove through the midfield, but his low strike was turned around the post by the home keeper.

Bala maintained momentum in the second half with Venables seeing a chance blocked, before Nathan Burke’s follow-up went inches wide.

Jones also unleashed a 30 yard strike over the crossbar, but on the 75th minute, Bala were awarded a penalty when Barry defender Luke Cooper fouled Hayes, and up stepped Wales C international Venables to power home down the middle to make it 2-0.

It was Bala that came closest to adding to their tally, as Jones hit the base of the post from distance, and Venables was also twice denied by the woodwork in a dominant victory.

BARRY TOWN: M Lewis, P Morgan, L Cooper, L Cosslett, C Hugh, R Patten, C Green (S Snaith 84’), K McLaggon (L Gerrard 77’), M Touray, J Cotterill, D Fahiya (T Greening 57’). Subs not used: O Davies, E Press, R Abbruzzese, J Baker.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, A Burns, S Smith, A Miley, S J Jones, A Stephens, N Burke, C Venables, E Horwood, H Jones (I Sheridan 87’), M Hayes. Subs not used: S Kelly, R Valentine, S Fisher, K Jones (gk). Attendance: 120. Referee: I Griffith.