NIGEL’S NOTES Without exaggeration it is an extremely difficult proposition to organise and run football matches during these times of increased uncertainty and a forever changing set of rules and guidelines. This reality was emphasised last Friday when we ordered to postpone last Friday evening’s fixture in Aberystwyth at a very late stage in the day. The contact from Wales Track and Trace enforced the players who had been on the pitch in Penybont the previous Saturday to self isolate. We challenged this ruling as being incorrect but due to the lack of time and inability to contact the right people we had no choice but to postpone. The decision was overturned the day after but had resulted in a huge amount of stress and unnecessary work for our officials. The work that has to go on behind the scenes is mind-blowing and I can only hope the distant light that we now can all see at the end of the tunnel will come sooner rather than later.
The financial implications to all JD Cymru Premier Clubs has been considerable since it was agreed to play the matches behind closed doors but a lifeline was thrown out last week when the FAW secured a much needed financial boost from a National Lottery grant. BalaTown would like to record their enormous thanks to the National Lottery for their generous contribution to ensure our Premier League can continue to fulfil its fixture obligations.We have significant financial outgoings throughout the Club and with the generation of virtually no income due to the pandemic it is extremely difficult to ensure all our commitments are met and that the 3G facility can be properly maintained and provided for. We are fortunate that so many youngsters are now able to avail themselves of the facility at Maes Tegid and it is superb to see the pitch full nearly every single evening. We are very sorry that only playing participants are allowed to enter the ground and that parents are unable to spectate but we are carefully following all the Government rules and guidelines and can only try to ensure that all persons entering the ground are kept as safe as possible from the virus. Oh and by the way there is a football match tonight!! A warm welcome to our friends from Newtown for another important League fixture. It will be a real test of our commitment and resource if we are to secure the invaluable points on offer. We always have tight encounters against our opponents this evening and I look forward to another entertaining evening at Maes Tegid. Diolch Pawb. 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 - NEWTOWN EST. 1875 HOME: LATHAM PARK ABOUT NEWTOWN Newtown Association Football Club is a Welsh football club based in Newtown, Powys, which plays in the Cymru Premier. Newtown are one of only two clubs that can claim unbroken membership of the league since its formation in 1992, with the other club being Aberystwyth Town. The club was founded in 1875 as Newtown White Stars, and was one of the founder members of the Football Association of Wales. Newtown White Stars, which appeared in the first Welsh Cup match on 13 October 1877, is believed to have merged with Newtown Excelsior to form the current Newtown AFC in time to be Welsh Cup finalists in 1885 and 1888. Newtown White Stars won the Welsh Cup in 1879 and were losing finalists in 1881. Newtown AFC won the cup again in 1895, but this was the last national trophy won for sixty years, until the Welsh Amateur Cup was won in 1955. The first match was played at what is now Latham Park in 1951, and the ground has since been
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brought up to a standard which makes it fully eligible to stage big games such as cup semi-finals, Welsh Cup finals, UEFA Youth Internationals, Women's International matches and UEFA Cup matches. For most of the years since the 1920s the club operated in the Mid-Wales League, or the Central Wales League as it was sometimes known, winning the championship in 1975–76, 1978–79, 1981–82, 1986–87 & 1987–88 and on the strength of this record, the club gained entry to the English league system in the Northern Premier League. In 2014 Newtown became the 2nd Cymru Premier club, after The New Saints, to change their grass turf for a 3G pitch. During the 2014/15 season Newtown finished in the top 6 for the second consecutive season. They also took part in their first Welsh Cup Final in 118 Years after memorable wins against Caersws, Bangor and Rhyl. However they lost the match 2–0 to The New Saints, despite it being played at Latham Park in front of a capacity crowd. After the cup final defeat, Newtown entered the European play-offs. During the play-offs, they won away at Port Talbot Town and won away at Aberystwyth Town to take a spot in the 2015–16 Europa League qualifiers. In July 2015 Newtown faced Maltese opponents Valletta in the first round of qualifying for the 2015/16 Europa League. A last minute winner in the 1st leg at Latham Park gave the club their first European win and was followed with an away victory giving Newtown their first Europa League Win over two legs.
ALEX RAMSAY
ANDREW BURNS
SEAN SMITH
NATHAN PEATE
ANTHONY STEPHENS
JONNY SPITTLE
LEE MOLYNEUX
WILL EVANS
HENRY JONES
KIERAN SMITH
STEVE LESLIE
DANIEL GOSSET
LLYR MORRIS
SHAUN KELLY
LASSANA MENDES
CHRIS VENABLES
OLIVER SHANNON
RAUL CORREIA
LIAM DAVIES
HARRI LLOYD
ANTONY KAY
PREVIOUS LEAGUE FIXTURE BALA TOWN 4 PENYBONT 1
Job well done for the Lakesiders
The Lakesiders would return to Maes Tegid on Saturday afternoon (14/11/2020) having played out a thriller against The New Saints the weekend before, despite the game ďŹ nishing 1-1, both sides gave it their all in a
gripping match up! This time round, the Lakesiders would face off against Penybont for the second time this season, having handed a 5-1 beating to the South Wales side at the end of September. Only one change was made to the side that faced The New Saints the weekend before, with Antony Kay dropping out due to suspension, with Steve Leslie returning from his suspension. While Liam Davies, Ryan Pryce and Henry Jones retaining their places after their performances against TNS in the previous game. A slow start to the game, as both corners had a corner each early on, but no threats from either one. It took 7 minutes for the referee to brandish his ďŹ rst card of the game, as Mael Davies was carded following a foul on Henry Jones.
Having played 15 minutes, there was little to report, with both sides having the ball, but no chances were made to worry either keeper. However on 21 minutes, the game suddenly came to life, as Ben Ahmun received the ball in the Bala box and managed to get his shot away, but Ramsay was alert from point blank range, and managed to push the ball over the bar to concede a corner. Only seconds later, Penybont took the lead, as the corner came into the front post, it was cleared back out to the corner taker, who whipped the ball into the back post where Ben Ahmun leaped highest to head the ball home. A disappointing goal to concede, yet a good finish from the forward. 1-0 after just 21 minutes on the clock. The lead didn’t last long however… Again, the goal came from a corner, which Henry Jones swung into the box, although the ball looked to come off Nathan Peate, the goal was given as an own goal against Yakubu, who looked to have headed the ball into his own net to make it 1-1, not long after his side took the lead. Liam Davies was next to go into the book after breaking an attack down from Penybont. After an equaliser in the 25th minute, it was a penalty to the Lakesiders on 35 minutes! A clear penalty after Henry Jones was tripped by a dangling leg from Matthew Harris. Venables stepped up to take the kick, and was there any doubt? Of course not! A tidy finish from the Captain, who slammed the ball into the bottom left corner past former Bala keeper Ashley Morris to give Bala the lead! It didn’t take long for another goal, and another own goal! This time Oliver Dalton looked to intercept a pass across the box, which looked to be heading into the hands of Ashley Morris, but Dalton inadvertently put the ball into his own net to give the Lakesiders a 3-1 lead just shy of 10 minutes from half time!
A bit of defending work from Liam Davies with 5 minutes to go of the half, as he blocked a shot from the left hand side to concede a corner. Venables could of grabbed is second of the match with a minute to go, as he met a free kick from Leslie, but couldn’t generate much power on his header to worry Ashley Morris. The half time whistle went, with the Lakesiders going in with a healthy lead. However the Lakesiders could count themselves lucky, with two of their goals coming from own goals, yet the penalty given was the right decision following a foul on Henry Jones. The second half got underway, much like the first, very slow and no danger for either sides. Just short of 10 minutes into the half, Ben Ahmun tested the hands of Ramsay, as he took a curling effort towards the far post, but Ramsay got across easily to grab the ball. The first substitution was made as Penybont brought on Nathan Wood, replacing Mael Davies who was previously booked in the first half. Penybont made their next change Georgievsky came off for Ian Traylor.
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The weather progressively got worse at Maes Tegid, with little chances being made, Bala started making changes, as Lassana Mendes came off for Steve Leslie. With less than 20 minutes to go, the game looked to be out of sight for the visitors! As Will Evans grabbed a goal, following a shot from Ollie Shannon which was
PREVIOUS LEAGUE FIXTURE BALA TOWN 4 PENYBONT 1
spilled towards the goal line from Ashley Morris, Will Evans then picked up the pieces and slid the ball into the net. 4-1 to the Lakesiders, with Penybont looking down and out! Penybont made their last change of the game as Sam Snaith replaced Matthew Harris. Then Bala made their second and third change, as Raul Correia replaced Henry Jones and Llyr Morris replaced Chris Venables. The Lakesiders looked to see the game out during the last minutes of the game, with the Town keeping possession in the final third. 3 minutes were added on, with Bala keeping the ball in Penybont’s half, with Llyr Morris winning a free kick deep in the visitors half, just to run down the clock. The final whistle went, with the Lakesiders getting the job done and earning another three points! Despite the scoreline looking healthy for the Lakesiders, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Town, who fell behind to a Ben Ahmun goal, but managed to grab two goals through Will Evans and Chris Venables, and then a helping hand from Yakubu and Dalton to score two own goals to give the Lakesiders a 4-1 win.
#1
CHRIS VENABLES
11 APPS 12 GOALS
#2
WILL EVANS 11 APPS 7 GOALS 3 ASSISTS
#3
SEAN SMITH 11 APPS 1 GOAL 4 ASSISTS
#4
NATHAN PEATE 11 APPS 3 GOALS
16
FIXTURES
SEPTEMBER SUN 20 SUN 27 WED 30
CEFN DRUIDS PENYBONT FC THE NEW SAINTS
OCTOBER
2-1 W 1-5 W 2-2 D
NOVEMBER SAT 07 SAT 14 FRI 20 FRI 27
THE NEW SAINTS PENYBONT ABERYSTWYTH NEWTOWN
SAT 03 FRI 09 TUE 13 SAT 17 TUES 20 SAT 31
HAVERFORDWEST ABERYSTWYTH BARRY TOWN UTD NEWTOWN FLINT TOWN HAVERFORD WEST
1-2 L 5-2 W 4-0 W 0-2 W 1-2 W 1-1 D
DECEMBER 1-1 D 4-1 W PP H
SAT 05 WED 09 SAT 12 SAT 26
CARDIFF MET UNI ABERYSTWYTH CARDIFF MET CAERNARFON
A A H H
JANUARY FRI 01 TUE 19 SAT 23 SAT 30
CONNAHS QUAY CEFN DRUIDS THE NEW SAINTS BARRY TOWN
H A A 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
@?J?? RMU L L CU RMU L VENUE: MAES TEGID BALA KICK OFF: 19.45PM
REFEREE: BRYAN DAVID MARKHAM LINESMEN: GARETH WYN JONES AND RICHARD LUKE DOLPHIN FOURTH OFFICIAL: AARON WYN JONES MATCH DELEGATE: PHILIP THOMAS
MANAGER: COLIN CATON MANAGER: CHRIS HUGHES ALEX RAMSAY JOHN RUSHTON ANDREW BURNS SEAN SMITH NATHAN PEATE ANTHONY STEPHENS JONNY SPITTLE LEE MOLYNEUX WILL EVANS HENRY JONES KIERAN SMITH STEVE LESLIE DANIEL DANIE GOSSET LLYR MORRIS SHAUN KELLY LASSANA MENDES CHRIS VENABLES OLIVER SHANNON HARRI LLOYD LIAM DAVIES RYAN PRYCE
KHAMRHAN STEVENTON DAVE JONES SEAN MCALLISTER RYAN EDWARDS JACK KELLY JAKE PHILLIPS GEORGE HUGHES ETHAN SHORT TYRONE OFORI RHYS HESDEN TOM DAVIES MATTHEW WILLIAMS JAMES DAVIES JORDAN EVANS JAMIE BREESE JAMES O’NEILL KIERAN MILLS-EVANS NEIL MITCHELL NICK RUSHTON CRAIG WILLIAMS
@?J?? RMU L FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2020
VS NEWTOWN