LAKESIDERS LIVE AT MAES TEGID BALA - LIVE AT MAES TEGID BALA - LIVE AT MAES TEGID BALA
LIVE AT MAES TEGID BALA - LIVE AT MAES TEGID BALA - LIVE AT MAES TEGID BALA
THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF BALA TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
@?J?? RMU L
WEDNESDAY 28TH APRIL 2021
VS CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS
NIGEL’S NOTES It was a significantly important result at Maes Tegid last Saturday when a hard earned 1.0 victory against our close rivals Barry Town enabled us to establish a 9 point safety net in our search for the coveted 3rd spot in the JD Cymru Premier and automatic European qualification. At the same time our opponents tonight were making their own significant impact on the League with a superb 4.1 away win at TNS to establish them at the very top of our League. The fact that we were only beaten in the last 3 minutes by tonight’s opposition last week emphasises how close we are to challenging at the very top and this evening will be another litmus test of our credentials. It is a fixture of huge importance for both Clubs and one which I can promise will be fiercely competitive as these sides lock horns in what is sure to be a bruising physical encounter.
We travel away to Barry on Saturday and surely at the time of writing my next home programme notes the situation with our League position should be settled. We are in need of a few more points and tonight would be an excellent way to start. The uncertainty of whether we are going to be able to get our much needed spectators back to Maes Tegid continues. There seems virtually no chance before the end of this season but we MUST hope that this regulation will be relaxed before the start of the next one! It is brilliant to see our Reserve team back in training and we are so looking forward to their competitive return in July. C’mon the Lakesiders!! Nigel.
Nigel Aykroyd, Chief Executive
GWASANAETH PÊL-DROED DIGURO UNBEATABLE ON WELSH FOOTBALL CYNGHRAIR Y CENHEDLOEDD UEFA 2020 UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE 2020 CYMRU PREMIER JD CWPAN CYMRU JD JD WELSH CUP CWPAN NATHANIEL MG NATHANIEL MG CUP UWCH GYNGHRAIR MERCHED CYMRU WELSH PREMIER WOMEN’S LEAGUE
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OPPONENT - CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS EST. 1946 HOME: THE DEESIDE STADIUM ABOUT THE NOMADS Connah's Quay Nomads Football Club (Welsh: Clwb Pêl-droed Cei Connah) is a Welsh professional football club based in Connah's Quay, Flintshire. They play in the Cymru Premier. The club was founded in 1946 as Connah's Quay Juniors and adopted the Connah's Quay Nomads F.C. name in 1951. The club's home ground is at Deeside Stadium on Kelsterton Road in Connah's Quay, and accommodates 1,500 spectators (500 seated). For the 2006–07 season, they temporarily played their home games in Flint due to drainage problems with the Deeside Stadium pitch. In April 2013, the club announced that starting with the 2013–14 season, they would be using an all red home kit, accompanied by an all yellow away kit to complement the new logo which includes the traditional colours used in the Connah's Quay Town crest.
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Before the Nomads, two clubs represented the town. The first was Connah's Quay, founded in 1890 and playing in the Golftyn area of the town close to the present stadium. The club reached the Welsh Cup finals of 1908 and 1911, losing both times to Chester and Wrexham, respectively, but was disbanded soon after. A new club, Connah's Quay & Shotton, was formed in 1920, renting land at the rear of the Halfway House Hotel from the Northgate Brewery, and become members of the Welsh National League (North) as a fully professional outfit in 1922. In the 2018–19 season, The Nomads made history as they beat Edinburgh City 5–4 on penalties in the Scottish Challenge Cup Semi Finals, and became the first non-Scottish side to reach the finals, despite many non-Scottish sides reaching the semi final stage in previous seasons, such as fellow Welsh side, TNS, who reached the semis for two consecutive seasons, losing to St Mirren and Dumbarton respectively. The Nomads lost the Final 3-1 to Ross County at the Caledonian Stadium in Inverness. In the 2019-20 season, the Nomads beat Kilmarnock F.C. 2–0 in Ayrshire, for a Europa League first qualifying round aggregate win.[11] They also won the 2019-20 Cymru Premier for the first time, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, after the season was cut short by the 2019-20 Coronavirus pandemic.
ALEX RAMSAY
ANDREW BURNS
SEAN SMITH
NATHAN PEATE
ANTHONY STEPHENS
JONNY SPITTLE
RYAN PRYCE
WILL EVANS
HENRY JONES
KIERAN SMITH
STEVE LESLIE
DANIEL GOSSET
JACK MACKRETH
SHAUN KELLY
LASSANA MENDES
CHRIS VENABLES
OLIVER SHANNON
RAUL CORREIA
LIAM DAVIES
HARRI LLOYD
ANTONY KAY
PREVIOUS FIXTURE A Lassana Mendes strike gives us one hand on European qualification!
BALA TOWN 1 BARRY TOWN 0
Following a disappointing defeat in mid-week away to the Champions Connah’s Quay Nomads, Maes Tegid would welcome European Football chasing Barry Town in a crunch game that would paint a clearer picture, of
who would earn the remaining European qualification spot. Before the match, the visitors stood in 4th place, eight points away from us in 3rd place, with Penybont also lurking just a point behind them. The match got underway at a sunny Maes Tegid with an early free kick awarded to us on the half-way line. The cross into the box from Henry Jones was good towards the back post, but Jonny Spittle’s header didn’t trouble the keeper. Nathan Peate came close 20 minutes in, as a header back across goal from Chris Venables went into the direction of Peate, but he couldn’t direct his volley on target. Lassana Mendes and Jonny Spittle linked up well down the right hand side, making space for Spittle to
put a cross into the box, but the Barry defence blocked the ball out for a corner. Henry Jones again with a well taken free kick into the box, right across the goal mouth, but the ball managed to avade all onrushing Bala players and go out for a goal kick. Mendes had a pop from outside the box on his weaker foot, but his effort dragged wide of the goal. That was it for the first half, despite being rather uneventful, we had a couple chances to take the lead with some well taken free kicks from Henry Jones. But it was all to play for in the second half! The second half got underway, and a similar start saw us being awarded a free kick inside the Barry half. This time Henry Jones’ free kick didn’t trouble the Barry defence. Nathan Peate came close again as he got on the end of a Henry Jones corner, but his header was pushed away by Michael Lewis for another corner. Just 10 minutes into the second half, we got our goal! Henry Jones was involved again, which saw him play an outside the foot ball towards Lassana Mendes on the other side of the box, Mendes took a touch and rifled the ball into the roof of the net to give us a vital lead! Henry Jones also with his 7th assist of the season! This time Chris Venables and Henry Jones linked up down the right hand side, but the Captains cross into the box was cleared out by the Barry defence. Unfortunately the goalscorer Lassana Mendes had to come off injured, and was replaced by Liam Davies with quarter of an hour left. Will Evans came very close to doubling our lead, as he took a venomous strike on goal from long range, but Michael Lewis got his finger tips to it to send the ball over the bar.
Liam Davies was next to take a strike on goal, but his effort dragged wide of the goal. Alex Ramsay was kept on his toes late on in the game, as he had to get down to stop a shot from outside the box. A relatively easy save to make for our shotstopper, but it needed to be stopped. Alex Ramsay was kept on his toes late on in the game, as he had to get down to stop a shot from outside the box. A relatively easy save to make for our shotstopper, but it needed to be stopped. Despite there being three minutes of added time, and some late pressure from the visitors, we held on for the three points as the final whistle went! A huge three points with five games remaining, which saw us go eleven points clear of Barry Town, however they were leapfrogged by Penybont who now sit in 4th place, nine points away from us. Focus now turns to the reverse fixture of last week’s match, as we welcome Connah’s Quay Nomads to Maes Tegid in a tough match as always, however following the Champions demolition of The New Saints on the weekend, the Nomads will surely have their tails up and will be up for this one! Yellow Cards: Henry Jones (32), Jonny Spittle (90+2). Substitutions: Jack Mackreth (73), Liam Davies (75), Danny Gosset (86).
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BALA TOWN 1 BARRY TOWN 0
#1
CHRIS VENABLES 26 APPS 21 GOALS 2 ASSIST
#2
WILL EVANS 26 APPS 13 GOALS 3 ASSISTS
#3
STEVE LESLIE 13 APPS 4 GOALS 6 ASSISTS
#4
LASSANA MENDES 17 APPS 3 GOALS 7 ASSISTS
16
FIXTURES
CHAMPIONS CONFERENCE FIXTURES SAT 10 APR TUES 13 APR SAT 17 APR TUES 20 APR SAT 24 APR WED 28 APR SAT 01 MAY TUES 04 MAY SAT 08 MAY SAT 18 MAY
THE NEW SAINTS PENYBONT FC CAERNARFON CQ NOMADS BARRY TOWN CQ NOMADS BARRY TOWN CAERNARFON PENYBONT FC THE NEW SAINTS
0-1 L 2-3 W 5-2 W 0-2 L 1-0 W H A A H A
SPONSORS
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SMITHY GARAGE Bala Town are so grateful for the tremendous support which Smithy Garage of Dyffryn Ardudwy have given the Club over so many years. We are delighted that they continue to sponsor the Club's playing shorts and last year went a huge step further when they kindly agreed to sponsor our Academy's Head of Coaching car. This is so important for the development of our youth players and for the roll which he provides to our Community programmes. Smithy Garage offers a whole range of vehicle services and we would be delighted if our supporters could look them up whenever there is any vehicular requirements. Car/Van sales, MOT's, Servicing, Body Repair etc! Thank you most sincerely on behalf of us all at Maes Tegid. Long may our relationship together continue!
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PLAYER SPONSORS Player Sponsorship is on a first come first served basis. First team players £75.00 and at the end of the season, you will receive their match-worn shirt (home or away). Higher bids or offers will be accepted. Once the money has been paid, the sponsorship is sold and no further offers will be accepted. Andrew Burns – Emma Whitehouse Raul Correia – Gwyn & Jackie Penucha Colin Caton – Ado Vogt & Gee Gi, Liechtenstein Ffiona Evans – Arwel, Michelle, Hannah & Naomi Will Evans – Sion and John Roberts Stephen Fisher – Ado Vogt & Gee Gi, Liechtenstein Danny Gosset – Brian and Teresa Whitehouse
Henry Jones – Cigydd Bala Butcher – www.balabutcher.co.uk Steve Leslie – Evan Horwood Harri Lloyd – Felix Ospelt, Vaduz Lassana Mendes – Lee, George, Chris & Foxy Lee Molyneux – Ado Vogt & Gee Gi, Liechtenstein Nathan Peate – Kevin Swire Alex Ramsay – Cigydd Bala Butcher – www.balabutcher.co.uk Ollie Shannon – Ado Vogt & Gee Gi, Liechtenstein Kieran Smith – Jonah Armstrong Sean Smith – Peter Spitzmaul Jonny Spittle – Ado Vogt & Gee Gi, Liechtenstein Anthony Stephens – Katie & Matthew Spitzmaul Ryan Valentine – Top Personalised Gifts – www.toppersonalisedgifts.co.uk Chris Venables – Barry Yates & Stewart Venables Llyr Morris – Clwyd Williams, Family Butchers Llandyrnog Liam Davies – TBC Shaun Kelly – TBC Antony Kay – Marianne Taft
THANK YOU
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CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS 2 BALA TOWN 0
Two late goals hands us defeat in Deeside.
After the remarkable comeback on the weekend against Gwynedd Rivals Caernarfon Town, we'd head out on the road again this mid-week, with a trip to the Champions on Tuesday
Night (20/04/21). The Nomads are currently level on points with The New Saints at the top of the pile, with The New Saints on top on goal difference, as they have a much greater goal difference than the Nomads, therefore it was a must win for the hosts! On the other hand, we also have our mission of securing European Football for another year, by holding on to third place in the league table, as Barry Town and Penybont are right behind us, therefore there's no room for error! The match got underway with a changed defensive line, as Jonny Spittle slotted in at right back, and Nathan Peate returning to the starting line up, partnering up with Anthony Stephens as the center pack pairing.
Henry Jones curled in a dangerous ball from a free kick early on, but his ball towards the back post was headed out by the Nomads defence. On 23 minutes the hosts came very close to taking the lead. Danns got on the end of a ball into the box, with plenty of room to head the ball into the net, he headed the ball into the floor and managed to see his effort bounce over the bar. A mistake by Alex Ramsay saw Chris Venables spare his blushes, as the Captain cleared the ball off the line and out for a corner. Henry Jones appealed for a penalty after he looked to have been brought down inside the box, but the referee waved play on. As we entered into added time, the hosts almost took the lead, as a shot from the edge of the box from Poole just missed the post and went out for a goal kick. The whistle went to bring a dull first half to an end. Both teams created little chances throughout the first half, despite the hosts having a few chances to go into the lead. All to play for in the second half! The second half got underway, and the Nomads' intentions were clear, as they hoofed the ball into the box, hoping for a flick on, but luckily for us Ramsay came out to punch the ball away from danger. We had another shout for a penalty as Jonny Spittle was brought down in the box, but the referee waved away the appeals again. It was a much better start to the second half, with Bala posing a more attacking threat, especially down the right hand side, however we struggled to have a clear cut opportunity at goal.
Raul Correia tried the spectacular with an overhead kick, but his effort was sliced out and the hosts cleared the ball. Raul Correia tried the spectacular with an overhead kick, but his effort was sliced out and the hosts cleared the ball. Henry Jones did well to win the ball back in his own half, and made his way down the wing until Callum Morris took him out to concede a free kick, which won the Nomads number 8 a yellow card. Aeron Edwards also received a yellow card minutes later for a foul on Kieran Smith. Alex Ramsay had to be on his toes to keep out two efforts from both Wilde and Insall in the space of two minute, with just 10 minutes to go. The hosts had us camped in our own half for the remaining minutes of the game, and all their pressure lead to a goal. Declan Poole hit a tame shot from outside the box which evaded all bodies inside the box and headed into the bottom left corner passed Ramsay. A poor goal to concede, after holding out for so long to concede to a tame effort from outside the area. Only five minutes later and the Nomads wrapped the game up, as a cross from the left hand side was swung in towards Horan, who had an easy task of heading passed Ramsay, after he lost his marker. 2-0 to the hosts, going into added time. The final whistle came to signal a disappointing night for the Lakesiders, as two late goals cost us dearly. A tough game against the Champions, especially at their ground as well which made things that little
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER
CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS 2 BALA TOWN 0
more harder for us. However we stayed eight points clear of Barry Town, as they were held to a 3-3 draw at Jenner Park against Penybont, which keeps us in a good position coming into Saturday's crunch game against Barry Town at Maes Tegid! Yellow Cards: Raul Correia (27), Sean Smith (81). Substitutions: Steven Leslie (79), Danny Gosset (90+1), Ryan Pryce (90+1), Andrew Burns (90+2).
@?J?? RMU L AOO L MK?BQ VENUE: MAES TEGID BALA KICK OFF: 19.45PM REFEREE: ROBERT JENKINS LINESMEN: GARETH WYN JONES & CONNOR EOIN FOWLER FOURTH OFFICIAL: HUW JONES MATCH OBSERVER: BRIAN LEO LAWLOR
MANAGER: COLIN CATON MANAGER: ANDY MORRISON ALEX RAMSAY ANDREW BURNS SEAN SMITH NATHAN PEATE ANTHONY STEPHENS JONNY SPITTLE LEE MOLYNEUX WILL EVANS HENRY JONES KIERAN SMITH STEVE LESLIE DANIEL GOSSET KEL SHAUN KELLY LASSANA MENDES CHRIS VENABLES OLIVER SHANNON HARRI LLOYD LIAM DAVIES RYAN PRYCE JACK MACKRETH
OLIVER BYRNE KAI CALDERBANK-PARK CAMERON DARLING JOHN DISNEY CALLUM ROBERTS HUN JOHNNY HUNT GEORGE HORAN DANNY HARRISON RIO GLEAN MICHAEL WILDE JAMIE INSALL NEIL DANNS DECLAN POOLE TOM MOORE DANNY HOLMES JAY OWEN KRIS OWENS DOUG THARME CRAIG CURRAN DOO SAMERON DOOL ARON WILLIAMS DANNY DAVIES AERON EDWARDS MAX MOORE SAM WILLIAMS HARRY OWEN JOSH ALLEN
@?J?? RMU L
WEDNESDAY 28TH APRIL 2021
VS CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS