Bala Town 1 Barry Town 0

FULL TIME

Lassana Mendes’ second half wonder strike was all that separated the two sides at Maes Tegid as Bala took an 11-point lead over rivals Barry Town for the last European place.

Manager Colin Caton made three changes to the starting eleven from midweek, as Ollie Shannon, Will Evans and Lassana Mendes returned to the side, while Jack Mackreth and Liam Davies dropped to the bench, and Sean Smith unavailable.

It turned out to be an uneventful first half, despite the Lakesiders creating a few chances through set pieces.

Bala set the early pace with Johnny Spittle latching on to a free kick to the far post to head straight at keeper Mike Lewis.

Ollie Shannon screwed an edge of the area effort out for a throw-in before good play by Mendes, sprinting down the right ended with his cross being cleared.

The hosts won a couple of corners around the 18 minute mark and nearly took the lead from the second when Chris Venables headed the ball back across the face of goal towards Nathan Peate, whose effort went wide.

They threatened again on 34 minutes when Henry Jones delivered a brilliant free kick into the box that somehow missed every single player and went out for a goal kick.

And as the half petered out, Mendes fired wide with his weaker foot from the edge of the area.

Bala continued to pose the greater threat after the turnaround with Nathan Peate’s header turned away by Lewis before they finally opened their account on 56 minutes, Henry Jones setting up Mendes who drilled a ferocious effort into the roof of the net.

Jack Mackreth replaced Raul Correia on 73 minutes as the hosts pressed for a decisive second goal and they nearly found one when Will Evans’ long-range drive was tipped over by Lewis.

Liam Davies, on for the injured Mendes, was the next to try a shot from distance, his effort sailing past the woodwork.

Danny Gossett entered the fray on 87 minutes for Jones and Bala held out comfortably to take an 11-point lead over the visitors.

Bala: Alex Ramsay, Ollie Shannon, Nathan Peate, Jonny Spittle, Anthony Stephens, Kieran Smith, Lassana Mendes, Raul Correia, Henry Jones, Will Evans, Chris Venables. Subs: Danny Gossett, Ryan Pryce, Jack Mackreth, Liam Davies, Steve Leslie