BALA Town are up to fifth in the table after a George Newell brace secured a deserved three points against Haverfordwest County at Maes Tegid on Saturday.

Bala Town 2 Haverfordwest County 0, JD Cymru Premier

The Lakesiders are finding their feet again after a recent poor run of results, building on the previous week’s 2-1 win against visitors Colwyn Bay and the midweek 1-1 draw against Connah’s Quay Nomads at the Essity Stadium.

Manager Colin Caton criticised his team’s cutting edge in front of goal after Wednesday evening’s stalemate.

He said: “I can’t fault the players, just with our resources this year we’re lacking in one or two up front.

“But if we take our chances then we’re climbing up this league.”

Bala started brightly on Saturday and were denied by the woodwork in the seventh minutes when Newell held the ball up inside the box before laying it off to Paulo Mendes, who struck his effort against the bar.

Mendes went close again, using his power and trickery to make ground from the touchline to get a shot away which was parried by keeper Zac Jones before being cleared to safety.

At the other end, Tyrese Owen fed the ball out to the right to Jack Wilson but his curling effort lacked power and accuracy and sailed harmlessly past Kelland Absalom’s post.

Town were looking like the best bet for a goal and they made the breakthrough in first half stoppage time.

Aeron Edwards got on the end of a long crossfield punt into the area and headed the ball down to Newell to take a touch before slotting the ball in from close range for his second goal of the season.

Bala nearly doubled their tally moments into the second half when Osebi Abadaki beat the offside trap and sent a ball into the box in the direction of Ryan Rogers, who headed just wide.

Wilson threatened an equaliser with a couple of efforts which failed to trouble Absalom before the hosts increased their lead on the hour.

Ryan Rogers’ initial effort was parried by Jones into the path of Aeron Edwards who was bundled over by Ricky Watts before he could get his shot away.

Newell kept his nerve, finding the bottom right corner and giving Jones no chance.

Bala were comfortable and almost added to their tally when Kieran Smith showed some twinkle toes to beat a couple of defenders but his shot was well saved by the alert Jones.