Bala Town 2 Ruthin Town 1

Novira Cymru North

BALA Town made it two wins from two at the start of their Novira Cymru North campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ruthin Town at Maes Tegid on Friday night.

Following their opening-day win over Bangor City 1876 by the same scoreline, Steve Fisher's side continued their impressive start as they target an immediate return to the Cymru Premier.

The Lakesiders are one of four teams with a perfect record after the opening two rounds, alongside Newtown, Porthmadog and Brickfield Rangers.

Bala began brightly and created their first clear opportunity in the 17th minute. Osebi Abadaki's persistence down the right flank ended with a dangerous cross that found Tom Kelly, whose header was cleared off the line.

The hosts continued to press and went close again moments later when Craig Lindfield's neat approach play set up Jamie Cumming on the edge of the area, but the midfielder's half-volley flew over the crossbar.

Abadaki remained a constant threat and burst clear after shrugging off his marker, only to be denied by a smart save from Ruthin goalkeeper Harley Salisbury-Williams.

Bala suffered a setback on the half-hour when goalkeeper Rhys Williams was forced off through injury. With no specialist goalkeeper among the substitutes, forward John Owen was handed the gloves.

Owen adapted admirably, quickly producing a fine save to tip a free-kick over the bar before safely gathering the resulting corner. He was called into action again before the interval, clearing his lines as Ruthin looked to capitalise on the disruption.

The game swung decisively in Bala's favour early in the second half with two goals in three minutes.

Lindfield, scorer of the winner against Bangor a week earlier, broke the deadlock in the 49th minute with a close-range header. Just three minutes later, new signing Iwan Lewis doubled the advantage, reacting quickest after Salisbury-Williams had made an initial save and firing home from inside the area.

Bala's injury concerns continued when Naim Arsan was forced off and replaced by Charlie Fisher, who scored the dramatic late winner against Bangor on the opening weekend.

Ruthin remained dangerous and Owen produced another vital intervention 10 minutes from time, getting a touch to divert a threatening cross away from danger.

The visitors pulled a goal back in the 86th minute through Ethan Davies to set up a nervy finish, but Bala stood firm to secure another valuable three points.

Saturday's results: Denbigh Town 1 Bangor City 1876 2; Newtown 5 Penrhyncoch 0; Porthmadog 1 Rhyl 1879 0; Holyhead Hotspur 1 Brickfield Rangers 2; Caersws 1 Gresford Athletic 0; Guilsfield 3 Mold Alexandra 2; Llanuwchllyn 2 Buckley Town 1.