Aberystwyth Town 0

Bala Town 1

JD CYMRU PREMIER

A first half own goal by Alex Darlingon proved costly for Aber allowing Bala to pick up their first three points of the season with a hard fought victory at Park Avenue last night.

Having been held to a frustrating goalless stalemate at home to Cardiff Met on Saturday after two draws in their opening matches, Colin Caton’s men were determined to get a win.

And they did just that, albeit with a slice of luck for the only goal of the game just before the half hour mark.

Steve Leslie’s cross from the left caused confusion with Alex Darlington, feeling that he had to get his head to the ball with Bala’s Will Evans and Dave Edwards running behind him, heading the ball into the back of his own net.

The Seasiders had made a positive start with Jamie Veale registering the first chance of the night, his second-minute volley comfortably stopped by Alex Ramsay.

Moments later Harry Franklin bursted into the area and played a ball to Veale whose shot blazed over the bar.

At the other end, the Lakesiders also produced some promising positions.

Paul Rutherford powered down the right to deliver a telling cross into the area where a great defensive header prevented Will Evans from having an easy header on goal.

Edwards’ header, after good work by Lassana Mendes, was comfortably gathered by Aber keeper Gregor Zabret before Leslie fired a free kick into the side netting.

It was end-to-end stuff with both sides pushing for the opening goal which the unfortunate Darlington provided on 27 minutes.

Bala survived a scare three minutes later as the hosts tried to get straight back into it, Franklin played through on goal but his shot past Ramsay trickled wide.

And in a follow-up attack, great play by Owen Orford down the right set up Jack Thorn but the skipper hooked the chance over the bar from close range.

As the half drew to a close after an even contest, Bala’s Mendes intercepted the ball on the edge of the area but curled his shot harmlessly wide.

Both teams came out determined after the break but it was the Black and Greens who fashioned the first chance, former Bala man Raul Corriea holding up play well in the area to find Jon Owen who wildly blazed his effort well wide.

The woodwork then came to the home side’s rescue, midfielder Mendes cutting in on to his right foot to direct a fierce strike which crashed against the bar.

Bala were moving the ball well and looking for their second. Leslie curled a long-range effort inches past the post and Nathan Peate’s header was gathered by Zabret. Great link-up play between Leslie and Rutherford then ended with Edwards directing a header over the bar.

The former Wales international then cut in onto his right but his shot lacked power.

Antonio Corbisiero’s players kept going, and saw plenty of the ball but Bala were defending brilliantly and limiting their chances.

And it was the visitors who created the best chance in the closing stages, the unmarked Mendes with a diving header that sailed over the bar after a quick break by Edwards.