NIGEL’S NOTES I only wish that I could be writing “Welcome back to Maes Tegid” in my match day notes but even with the relaxation of the lockdown regulations the return to spectators being allowed in seems still a distant dream. We are however receiving some information which may allow the return of fixtures for our Reserve team in the not too distant future but there is still much needed clarification to be finalised and we will have to continue with staged friendlies at the moment in the run up to Christmas. Fortunately our 3G bookings have had an excellent time following the latest lockdown period has ended and we hope to attract as many people as possible to make use of our very Covid safe facility. Was our replayed fixture last Saturday evening “Much ado about Nothing” as we ended up with the same result as when the lights went out in the 88th minute.
Perhaps not! It was an excellent demonstration of the high standards of football which the JD Cymru Premier are producing and this fact was loudly broadcast by the live Sgorio cameras and commentators. Both teams produced a superb showing for the live television and I must admit to thinking that we were slightly unfortunate not to take all 3 points after an absorbing encounter. Thanks to everyone who had to work so hard to get this fixture played despite the severe limitations on regular Club members who were not allowed to offer their help due to the stringent lockdown regulations. I am delighted that these rules have now been somewhat relaxed for this afternoon’s fixture and we can go ahead with a reasonable compliment of Club officials who as always give us superb support at all times. We offer a very warm welcome to all who have made the long journey from Penybont. We have very limited hospitality available due to the restrictions but we hope you enjoy your visit and can spend some time to appreciate the beautiful scenery we have on offer around Bala. Croeso mawr. It will undoubtedly be a tough fixture for us today but the confidence which we will take into today’s fixture after last Saturday must be applied in full if we are to secure the invaluable points on offer today. It will be an enthralling encounter for the ones who are lucky enough to be present here today.
C’MON LAKESIDERS 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 - PENYBONT EST. 2013 HOME: SDM GLASS STADIUM ABOUT PENYBONT Penybont FC was formed in 2013 with the merger of the two premier clubs in Bridgend County, Bryntirion Athletic and Bridgend Town. Both clubs decided for the good of football in the borough, that they should unite and push forward in their pursuit of the higher echelons of Welsh football. The club began the season with a series of away games as Bryntirion Park's 3G pitch installation was incomplete until January 2014. The club's first league game was away against Ton Pentre, the result of which was a 1–0 loss. The new pitch was officially opened by former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay on 7 January 2014 at a friendly game played against a Cardiff City Development XI. Cardiff's development team won the match 5–0. The club's first manager was Francis Ford, who had managed Bryntirion Athletic prior to the merger of the club with Bridgend Town.
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Pen-y-Bont ended their inaugural season in a third place finish in the Welsh Football League Division One. On 18 January 2015 the club announced that it had reached a sponsorship agreement with Bridgend-based KYMCO Healthcare UK, which included renaming Bryntirion Park as The KYMCO Stadium. The club finished the season in 5th place in Welsh League Division One. On 12 September 2015, the club announced that it had applied for a Football Association of Wales Domestic License for the Cymru Premier. This indicated that the club was committed to improving the facilities at The KYMCO Stadium in order to make the club applicable for promotion. In May 2016 Francis Ford resigned from his post as the manager to be replaced by former Plymouth Argyle, Newport County and Cymru Premier footballer Rhys Griffiths. On 11 June, former Cardiff City and Newport County player Martyn Giles was appointed as his assistant. On 13 April 2019 it was confirmed that the club had secured promotion to the Cymru Premier after promotion rivals Cambrian & Clydach Vale B.&G.C. and Cwmamman United A.F.C. suffered defeats. On 4 July 2019 it was confirmed that former Dundee F.C. and Partick Thistle player Daniel Jefferies had signed for the club.
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 1 THE NEW SAINTS 1
Well what was the POINT in that!
Following the abandonment of the previous fixture between the two sides, it was all to play for again between the top two sides! With TNS creating a five point gap over the Lakesiders, it would be a very
important game early on in the race for the league title. Four changes were made to the squad that started against Haverfordwest last weekend, as Alex Ramsay returned to the side, along with Henry Jones making just his second start of the campaign. Ryan Pryce and Liam Davies made their first start for the club since signing in the Summer transfer window. Lassana Mendes, Raul Correia and John Rushton dropped to the bench, with Steve Leslie dropping out of the squad completely. The match got underway under the lights of Maes Tegid, with a fast start to the game, with the Lakesiders putting some early pressure on the TNS defence, keeping a fast tempo to the game.
Will Evans almost created the ďŹ rst goal on the 5th minute, as a powerful half volley across the box looked to meet Venables, but the Captain couldn’t reach the ball in time. Venables came close minutes later, as a corner came into the front post, but his ick towards goal went wide of the post. Ollie Shannon then came close on 10 minutes, as a mistake from the TNS defence gave Ollie some space to take a shot on, but his shot was saved by Harrison in goal. Minutes later TNS had the ball in the Bala box, with many attempts to get a shot away from Leo Smith, the Lakesiders were able to clear the danger, and win a goal kick in the process. Will had a shot on goal that was saved easily by Harrison, although keeping the TNS keeper on his toes. Ollie Shannon then came close again, this time hitting the ball from a tight angle from the right hand side, but his shot cannoned off the post. Another attack from the Lakesiders, this time a break away from Ollie Shannon, who had Will and Venables either side of him, he chose the to put in Will, but his shot was punched away by Harrison.
Image Credit: Colin Ewart
Antony Kay picked up the ďŹ rst yellow of the game, following a heavy tackle on Leo Smith. Brilliant play from Henry Jones just 10 minutes from the break, as he won a loose ball and drove towards the byline and managed to win a corner for the Lakesiders. However the corner came to nothing. TNS had strong shouts for a penalty just minutes later, but replays showed former Bala player, Louis Robles and gone over on his own accord. Antony Kay came close to breaking the deadlock with 5 minutes left of the ďŹ rst half, but his half volley curled away from goal and over the bar. That was the last action of the half as the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the half. Despite no goals, it was an enthralling half with chances for both sides, however there was no breakthrough, and was all to play for in the second half! The second half got underway, with an early scare for the Lakesiders, as Cieslewicz took a shot from the edge of the area, and rattled the crossbar with his effort. A poor pass out from Harrison in goal for TNS, almost gave Venables the chance to take the lead, although Venables’ shot on goal was weak and Harrison was able to recover. Having played just shy of 10 minutes of the second half, Antony Kay almost took advantage of a Harrison mistake, as the keeper cleared the ball from his area, right to the feet of Kay, who hits the ball on the half volley, but Harrison again recovers to catch the dipping ball.
PREVIOUS LEAGUE FIXTURE BALA TOWN 1 THE NEW SAINTS 1
Alex Ramsay was called into action minutes later, as Robles had a strike on goal, but the Lakesider’s number 1 saved well and got down to his left to push the ball away. On 64 minutes, a double change for Bala as Jonny Spittle and Lassana Mendes came on for Ryan Pryce and Liam Davies, having both made their first starts for the club. A game that looked to provide multiple goals, had to wait until the 70th minute for the first! Unfortunately it was the visitors who took the lead, as Ben Clark who had just come on, took his first two touches and converted them into a goal, as a long pass from Ryan Astles went over the Bala defence, into the path of Clark who chipped Ramsay in goal. A disappoining goal to concede, but plenty of time to get back into the game… Both sides kept pushing for a winner, as Cieslewicz tried to test Ramsay in goal, but his shot was easily saved. With 88 minutes on the clock, the floodlights had survived longer than last time, it was just a matter of seeing the final few minutes out, again! Then, the final whistle went, with everyone most likely pondering, what was the point in replaying the game, just to get the same outcome! Although, what a game to watch, with both sides fighting to the very end, however a share of the spoils, as the 5 point gap remains between the Lakesiders and TNS. The Lakesiders will now prepare to go up against Penybont at Maes Tegid next Saturday (14th of November) to hopefully keep chasing the league leaders!
#1
CHRIS VENABLES
10 APPS 11 GOALS
#2
WILL EVANS 10 APPS 6 GOALS 3 ASSISTS
#3
SEAN SMITH 10 APPS 1 GOAL 4 ASSISTS
#4
NATHAN PEATE 10 APPS 3 GOALS
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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 H A H
SAT 05 SAT 26 TUE 29
CARDIFF MET UNI CAERNARFON CAERNARFON
A H A
JANUARY FRI 01 SAT 23 FRI 29
CONNAHS QUAY THE NEW SAINTS FLINT TOWN
H A H
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