A NEW chapter in Bala Town’s history began with their first-ever match on Maes Tegid’s brand new 3G surface last Friday, with the Lakesiders hitting back to claim a 1-1 draw against rivals Bangor City.

City’s Daniel Nardiello had the privilege of scoring the first-ever goal on the new synthetic pitch in the 52nd minute - but the Lakesiders were not to be denied in front of a packed crowd, and Mike Hayes drew level with 10 minutes remaining.

Back in 2009, Bangor City had been Bala’s first opponents in the Welsh Premier League, so there was a nostalgic feel to the occasion between these Gwynedd rivals.

In front of a bumper crowd of 857, Bala started well, and Mark Jones weaved past two defenders, before the defence cleared.

City responded well, with Rodrigo Branco flicking the ball wide, and Christian Langos created a chance for Nardiello, but he fired over from 20 yards out.

Branco also slid the ball through to Brayden Shaw on the right, but recalled keeper Ashley Morris saved with his feet, and on 20 minutes Gary Roberts arched a free-kick goalwards, but it cleared the bar.

Further pressure saw Langos cut in from the right, but Morris gathered, and then Connor Roberts claimed a weak effort from Nathan Burke as Bala countered.

As the first half ended, a quick burst of pace by Ryan Wade won a corner, which was eventually cleared, and Ryan Edwards delivered a cross towards Chris Venables, but it was overhit by a few inches.

One final effort for City saw the industrious Danny Gossett pull the ball back to Langos, but again Morris saved the shot.

In the second half, City pressed on and Brayden Shaw shot over from outside the box and Leon Clowes just failed to get his head to Langos’ high cross from the right.

The deadlock was broken on 51 minutes when Langos won the ball in midfield, fed Branco wide on the right and as he ran free on goal he squared to Nardiello to slot the ball home from 10 yards out.

Further pressure saw Gary Roberts cross high from the right for Branco to head over from close range, and Roberts also saw a free-kick strike the defensive wall.

With 10 minutes to go, Bala pressed upfield and when Chris Venables’ blocked shot rolled to substitute Mike Hayes, he prodded the equaliser from six yards.

In the closing minutes Venables headed wide, but at the other end Jordan Davies was halted by Tony Davies, who was shown a second yellow card and sent off.

Roberts saw his free-kick blocked, but he recovered to send the ball deep to the back post, and Brayden Shaw headed over.

In the three minutes of added time Ryan Edwards could have won it for Bala when he fired over the target from the right, with Connor Roberts in his sights.

BALA: A Morris, S Jones, T Davies, D Thompson, C Murtagh, M Jones, R Wade, R Edwards, N Burke, C Venables, K Smith (M Hayes 46). Subs: A Lynch, S J Jones, S Fisher, I Sheridan.

BANGOR: C Roberts, J Davies, D Gossett, L Clowes, R Humphreys, G Roberts, D Nardiello (J Reed 81), R Blanco, B Shaw, C Langos, A Young. Subs not used: S Bradley, S Cavanagh, P Vieira, S Hart, A Miley, O Durnin.

Attendance: 857. Referee: Dean John.