HENRY Jones struck twice as Bala Town moved up to third place in the JD Cymru Premier with a solid 3-0 win at basement battlers Carmarthen Town last weekend.

It took time for the Lakesiders to break down the stubborn hosts, with new manager Kris O’Leary at the helm, with Lassana Mendes testing Lee Idzi early on.

The Lakesiders gained more momentum as the half progressed and a brilliant ball from Louis Robles picked out Mendes, whose effort hit the side-netting.

Chris Venables also set up Robles, who pulled his shot wide of the far upright, before a great move involving Anthony Stephens and Kieran Smith ended with Jones seeing his strike pushed out by Idzi.

Bala were playing some fantastic football and they broke once again with Stephens, Smith and Mendes involved, but the ball was deflected out for a corner.

Bala’s perseverance finally paid off on 45 minutes when Jones’ teasing delivery was met by the head of Robles, who flicked the ball home for a worthy lead.

The Lakesiders doubled their advantage early in the second half when Henry Jones powered the ball into the bottom left hand corner from the edge of the box.

Robles’ pass to just eluded an unmarked Smith at the back post, and with Mendes and Nathan Burke pulling the strings in the middle, Venables, Jones and Smith caused the hosts numerous problems.

A ball in by Jones arrived to Robles, but his effort fizzed wide of the post.

The points were secured on 81 minutes as Mike Hayes’ initial shot was palmed out of the box into Jones’ path, and he rocketed a strike into the net for 3-0.

Jones almost netted his hat-trick in the final minute when his close range opportunity was denied by a last-ditch tackle, and he also went one-on-one in the final minute, but his effort went just wide as Bala finished the match well on top.

CARMARTHEN: L Idzi, J Knott, D Vincent, L Surman, D Carroll, G Walters, L Bowen, L Harling (J Bull 68’), C Jones, E Scotcher (C Morgan 68’), LThomas. Subs not used: A Morgan, J Vickers, G Howell, J Woodford, M Evans.

BALA TOWN: J Tibbetts, A Burns, S Smith, A Stephens, J Spittle, N Burke, H Jones, K Smith, L Robles (M Hayes 78’), L Mendes (S Leslie 85’), C Venable, Subs not used: S Jones, S Kelly, T Stephens.Attendance: 247. Referee: D John.