Bala Town vs The New Saints Matchday Programme

NIGEL’S NOTES A very warm welcome back to “Maes Tegid” but as we all know that is not possible in these unprecedented times.

Unfortunately as well it does not look promising for any spectator return in the near future as we battle against the rising tide of Covid cases but we must take solace from the fact that we are actually playing football despite the huge challenges put in front of us all.

On that topic I must thank most sincerely the persons behind the scenes who have made this possible. Our band of volunteers and our administration team have had an onerous task in ensuring that the matches go ahead under stringent regulation with the emphasis on everyone’s safety at Maes Tegid. It has added hours and hours to the workloads and we are all so fortunate that we have the personnel to carry this burden. Thank you again for all the work you do!

I return to our on the pitch performances in the JD Cymru Premier and I am delighted that we find ourselves with 7 points after the opening 3 matches.

It has been no easy task either for Colin and his team to return from the excellent European campaign and perform after some considerable travelling overseas.

The number of matches we are having to play is definitely stretching our resources in the squad but we have managed to grind out results and must be delighted with our league position as we go into this significantly important fixture this evening. It certainly was the old footballing cliché of “A tale of two halves” last Saturday as we trailed Penybont at half time only to see us demolish them in the second half. I can only hope that the level of confidence inspired by that second half will carry us in good stead into tonight’s match.

We do it all again this Saturday with the visit of Haverfordwest. I so wish I could say “Please come along to Maes Tegid” but that will have to wait.

Watch this space!! Thanks again to everyone for their efforts both on and off the field.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO!

A MESSAGE TO ALL CLUB PERSONNEL AND FANS! 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

O F F I C I A L

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OPPONENT - THE NEW SAINTS EST. 1860 HOME: THE VENUE ABOUT OSWESTRY TOWN Founded in 1860, making them one of the world’s oldest football clubs, Oswestry Town FC were also founder members of the Football Association of Wales in 1876 – a rare achievement for an English club. In their long history, they’ve competed in the Northern Premier League, Cheshire League and Cymru Alliance.

ABOUT LLANSANTFFRAID From the small Welsh village of Llansantffraid, and nicknamed the ‘Saints’, the unassuming team began life playing in the Montgomeryshire Amateur League in 1959. Here it achieved considerable success, winning numerous honours. The Montgomeryshire League Championship (1969, 1970, 1971, 1983, 1987) and the Montgomeryshire Cup competition six times between 1963 and 1976. In addition, Llansantffraid were Village Cup winners seven times, up to the nineties.

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ABOUT TOTAL NETWORK SOLUTIONS In the 1997/98 season Llansanffraid changed their name to Total Network Solutions (TNS), following a lucrative sponsorship deal with an Oswestry based computer networking specialist owned by entrepreneur Mike Harris. The partnership was working – in 1999/00 the club finally reached the pinnacle of Welsh Football when, in an exciting finale, TNS beat Barry Town to the league title and qualified for the European Cup. In 2003 the club’s phenomenal success meant the ground at Llansantffraid was no longer fit for purpose and there were no other suitable sites in the village that would sustain a full-time football club. The Chairman was forced to look for an alternative site to develop the club facilities.

THE MERGER On 7 June 2003, it was announced that Oswestry Town was to merge with Total Network Solutions, with the aim of playing at a new stadium in Oswestry from 2005/06. The troubled Oswestry Town was saved from Bankruptcy by Mike Harris, who cleared the clubs debts and financed the merger.

Following the sale of Total Network Solutions to BT in 2006, the club changed its name to The New Saints FC.

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

ANTONY KAY

HARRI LLOYD

PREVIOUS LEAGUE FIXTURE BALA TOWN 5 PENYBONT 1

A match best described as a game of two halves

Following our ďŹ rst 3 points of the season last weekend against Cefn Druids, the Lakesiders would travel down south to face Penybont in the third game of the campaign.

The game started with an early attempt on goal from Steve Leslie, but his effort sailed over the bar.

With only 4 minutes on the clock, Ramsay was alert to deny the home side an early lead, following 2 saves in quick succession.

However after just 10 minutes gone, Penybont took the lead following sloppy defending from Bala, as the home side were able to put a ball into the box, which Ramsay parried away into the middle of the box, as Lewis Harling then poked home to give his side the lead.

Minutes later, Bala were still on the back-foot with Penybont nearly grabbing a second, however a volley just outside the box went wide.

After 20 minutes, the Lakesiders were slowly getting into the game, when a good passing move ended with an over hit ball towards Venables, which went out for a goal kick.

Bala’s job got a lot easier on 28 minutes, when Penybont were reduced to 10 men following a red card to their captain in Kane Owen. The tackle on Kieran Smith was deemed a reckless challenge with a high foot which could of ended up a lot worse, however it was advantage Bala in terms of the number of players on the field.

Henry Jones was substituted after 38 minutes, with Raul Correia replacing him.

The first real chance for Bala came on in the 41st minute when Will met a corner from the right, but his header went wide of the post.

With a goal down, and a man advantage, the referee blew for half time, however it was a poor half by the Lakesiders with only a few chances created all half. Although the Lakesiders would have a full half to put things right with a man advantage over the hosts.

The second half got underway, and with only two minutes on the clock, Will Evans levelled the score! The goal started with Ollie Shannon on the right hand side of the box, where he took a shot which looked to be going wide, yet Will latched on to it and side footed the ball into the corner of the net. Game on at 1-1!

A couple minutes later, and Bala should of been ahead, after Raul entered the Penybont box and cut it back across the box, but no one got on the end of the ball to finish home, much better from the Lakesiders.

However after 10 minutes of the second half, Will was there again! A flick on from Raul set Venables on his way, as he flicked it over one defender, got the shot away which was saved by the keeper and rebounded to Will, which saw him stretch to side foot the ball into the net, and make the score 2-1 to the Lakesiders!

Only five minutes later, Bala were cruising! This time Will turned provider, after a mistake at the back from the hosts, Will got to the byline and set Venables on a plate, as he caressed the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 3-1 to Bala now!

Ramsay was called into action after the hour mark following a long range effort, yet the shot was easily saved.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, Bala were given the chance to further extend their lead, with a penalty given following a foul on Will. Venables stepped up to take the penalty… and secured his second of the game! 4-1 to Bala with 20 minutes still left to play.

The home side had a chance to claw a goal back, however the shot sailed over the bar.

Raul nearly got in on the goals, but following some great attacking play by the Lakesiders, Raul’s weak footed finish went over the bar.

If Raul couldn’t score, Kieran Smith could! A ball in from the left hand side from Sean Smith crossed the box into the path of Kieran, and he side footed it past the keeper and into the net.

PREVIOUS LEAGUE FIXTURE BALA TOWN 5 PENYBONT 1

A Smith-Smith combination made it 5-1 to Bala with 10 minutes left of normal time.

After picking up two goals, Chris Venables was replaced by Andrew Burns.

With Will on a hat trick, he was pushing forward to grab his 3rd, however a long range shot was saved well by former Bala keeper Ashley Morris and went out for a corner.

A brilliant second half display by the Lakesiders came to an end following the fulltime whistle. A game of two halves saw the Lakesiders run out 5-1 winners in the end.

#1

WILL EVANS 3 APPS 3 GOALS 1 ASSIST

#2

NATHAN PEATE

3 APPS 2 GOALS

#3

CHRIS VENABLES

3 APPS 2 GOALS

#4

KIERAN SMITH

3 APPS 1 GOAL

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CEFN DRUIDS PENYBONT FC THE NEW SAINTS

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NOVEMBER FRI 06 SAT 14 FRI 20 FRI 27

CEFN DRUIDS PENYBONT ABERYSTWYTH NEWTOWN

SAT 03 TUES 06 FRI 09 TUE 13 SAT 17 SAT 24 SAT 31

HAVERFORDWEST FLINT TOWN ABERYSTWYTH BARRY TOWN UTD NEWTOWN CARDIFF MET UNI BARRY TOWN UTD

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CARDIFF MET UNI HAVERFORDWEST CAERNARFON CAERNARFON

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CONNAHS QUAY THE NEW SAINTS FLINT TOWN

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WELCOME We are delighted to announce that Liam Davies has joined the Lakesiders!

The 24 year old who resides in Merseyside, joins the Town having previously played for Curzon Ashton in the National League North.

He was described as an all-action midfielder when he signed for Curzon Ashton and will further strengthen the midfield options for manager Colin Caton.

Liam is also the younger brother of Everton star Tom Davies.

Manager Colin Caton had this to say about his new signing; "It's great to have him on board, he's played at a good level, he'll add to our midfield power with us having 1 or 2 injuries at the moment. He can play in a number of positions, he's a utility player that can play across the front, left footed, right footed player, and he can play anywhere in the midfield as well, he can also do a job at fullback for us. So he's a modern day utility player, he's got good quality, and good delivery on set plays, so we'll be looking forward to him fighting for a place like the rest of the squad"

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VENUE: MAES TEGID BALA KICK OFF: 17.45PM REFEREE: IWAN ARWEL GRIFFITH LINESMEN:JONATHAN BEBEE-BRYANT & CONNOR THOMAS FOURTH OFFICIAL: JOHN ANDREW JONES

MANAGER: COLIN CATON MANAGER: SCOTT RUSCOE 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 HARRI LLOYD

PAUL HARRISON ROBBIE WILLIAMS CONNOR ROBERTS SIMON SPENDER CHRIS MARRIOT KESTON DAVIES ADAM HUGHES JON ROUTLEDGE DEAN EBBE RYAN BROBBEL GREG DRAPER ADRIAN CIESLEWICZ BLAINE HUDSON JAMIE MULLAN RYAN HARRINGTON RYAN ASTLES LOUIS ROBLES BEN CLARK LEO SMITH LOUIS BRADFORD DAVID LYON KWAME BOATENG BILLY WHITEHOUSE LEWIS REES CALLUM LEIGH JOSH BAILEY TOM HOLLAND BEAU CORNISH