Issuu

ISSUE THREE > BALA TOWN VS CARDIFF MET

MATCHDAY THREE - MAES TEGID > CYMRU PREMIER 14:30 / 28.08.2021 > MATCHDAY THREE

BALA TOWN

bala town

O F F I C I A L

B A L L

S U P P L I E R

Macron Store Llanelli - info@macronstorellanelli.com • 07800 634 264 [Ray] Macrone Store Neath - sales@macronstoreneath.co.uk • 01792 321 364 [Ray] Macron Store Ebbw Vale - sales@macronstoreebbwvale.co.uk • 07800 903 724 [Matt] Macron Store Cardiff - sales@macronstorecardiff.com • 02920 811 053 [Amanda] Macron Store Wrexham - info@macronstorewrexham.co.uk • 01978 355 794 [Andy]

BALA TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB OFFICIALS LIST SWYDDOGION CLWB PEL-DROED TREF Y BALA Director Of Football & Head Coach / Cyfarwyddwr Pel-Droed & Prif Hyfforddwr: Colin Caton Assistant Head Coach / Prif Hyfforddwr Cynorthwyol: Stephen Fisher & Ryan Valentine Goal Keeping Coach / Hyffordwr Gôl Geidwad: Harri Lloyd Club Doctor / Meddyg y Clwb: Dr Christopher Jordan Physios / Ffisios: Ffiona Evans Strength & Conditioning / Cryfder a Chyflyru: Nicolas Jones Academy Director / Cyfarwyddwr Academi: Carwyn Edwards President / Llywydd: Joe Roberts Chairman / Cadeirydd: Arwel Roberts Chief Executive / Prif Weithredwr: Nigel Aykroyd General Secretary, Finance Director & Licensing Officer / Ysgrifennydd Cyffredinol, Cyfarwyddwr Cyllidol a Swyddog Trwyddedu: Ruth Crump Media Officer & Web-site / Swyddog Cyfryngau & Wefan: Joe Taft Head of Security / Pennaeth Diogelwch: Sion Roberts Commercial Director / Cyfarwyddwr Masnachol: Arwel Ll Jones Supporters Liaison Officer / Swyddog Cyswllt y Cefnogwyr: Dion Jones Disability Liaison Officer / Swyddog Cyswllt Anabledd: Cai Aykroyd Safeguarding Officer / Swyddog Diogelu: Nerys Whitley Covid Officer & 3G Manager / Swyddog Covid & Rheolwr y 3G: Gillian Evans Sub Committees / Is-Bwyllgorau Ruth Crump, Nigel Aykroyd, Ken Edwards, Don Lund, Gwyn Jones, Arwel Roberts, Carol Rowlands, Beryl Hanmer, Ted Edwards, R. F. Jones, Graham Martindale, Glyn Roberts, Arwel Lloyd Jones, Elwyn Rowlands, Gill Evans, Rob Davies, Ian Jones, Janet Blaszkiewicz, Barry Yates, Mark Watkins, Amanda Reed, John Roberts, Sion Roberts, Rhian Williams.

Nigel Aykroyd Interview | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met

NIGEL’S NOTES N I G E L AY K R OY D

our sponsors are the life blood of our club and any support you are able to give us is so much appreciated by all!

04 | balatownfc.co.uk

Nigel Aykroyd Interview | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met

Welcome back to Maes Tegid for our second Home League fixture of the season. We were very pleasantly surprised by the size of the turn out from you all when we hosted Penybont two Saturdays’ ago and we would hope for another repeat of this for this afternoon’s match against our friends from Cardiff Met. It is brilliant to have crowds back and the atmosphere most definitely adds to the enjoyment. Long may it continue and that the effect of the pandemic will soon be a distant memory! On the pitch has been a bit of a struggle for us and the results to date have probably not lived up to pre season expectations. We do however remain unbeaten but have probably done enough in both matches to avoid dropping the 4 points. It will be no different I’m sure today as our visitors always severely test us and will arrive on the back of an excellent result on their travels to Haverfordwest last weekend. We must be at our very best to ensure that we do not fall any further behind the front runners and although it is early doors it is never easy to play catch up in this most competitive of Leagues. Even though it is very early in the season we have been hit with unwanted suspensions and injuries. We were without 4 players last weekend who were unavailable but should have improved number for today’s match. The importance of a strong squad has never been more relevant than in today’s ever improving JD Cymru Premier and we hope that our present group will provide us with the depth we need to challenge at the very top of Welsh domestic football.

We are also very much hoping that we can bring back our Hospitality packages for our matches at Maes Tegid and anyone interested should contact Arwel Lloyd Jones armano9@ btinternet.com for updated information. Our sponsors are the lifeblood of our Club and any support you are able to give us is so much appreciated by all. On this topic we are delighted to have brought DAVANTI TYRES on board as new Club Sponsors this year. We have agreed a full package with this International Tyre Company and are delighted to have 2 local Companies who will supply their tyres to you. NANT CONWY TYRES and SARACENS TYRES have been brilliant supporters of the Club for many years and the Davanti involvement has further cemented their association with us. We hope that as many of you as possible support these local suppliers and the DAVANTI brand as a world renowned tyre manufacturer. Our next fixture sees us travel to Aberystwyth on Tuesday 31st August for an 8pm kick off. We would love to see as many of you as possible make the trip to support. Next Saturday sees us embark on our Welsh Cup campaign at home to Brymbo on Saturday 4th September with a 2.30pm kick off. Thank you to everyone for attending this afternoon’s match. You are all most very welcome to Maes Tegid. Diolch Pawb. Nigel.

d y o r k y A . N balatownfc.co.uk | 05

EXCLUSIVE RETAIL PARTNER

ISSUE THREE > BALA TOWN VS CARDIFF MET

MATCHDAY THREE - MAES TEGID > CYMRU PREMIER 14:30 / 28.08.2021 > MATCHDAY ONE

PLD

PTS

FLINT TOWN UNITED

THE NEW SAINTS

CONHHAN’S QUAY NOMADS

CAERNARFON TOWN

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN

PENYBONT

BALA TOWN

BARRY TOWN

-1

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY

-2

NEWTOWN

-3

CARDIFF MET

-4

CEFN DRUIDS

-6

ALEX RAMSAY > GOALKEEPER

BALA TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB > CYMRU PREMIER LEAGUE 2021/2022 SQUAD > WE ARE THE LAKESIDERS

CALUM WOODS > DEFENDER

SEAN SMITH > DEFENDER

NATHAN PEATE > DEFENDER

ANTHONY STEPHENS > DEFENDER

JONNY SPITTLE > DEFENDER

LASSANA MENDES > MIDFIELDER

WILL EVANS > FORWARD

DANNY WALKER-RICE > FORWARD

ala tow

KIERAN SMITH > MIDFIELDER

STEVEN LESLIE > MIDFIELDER

ANTONY KAY > MIDFIELDER

PAUL RUTHERFORD > FORWARD

DAVE EDWARDS > MIDFIELDER

BRAD BAURESS > MIDFIELDER

CHRIS VENABLES > FORWARD

OLIVER SHANNON > MIDFIELDER

HARRI LLOYD > GOALKEEPER

follow the lakesiders

twitter: @balatownfc facebook: @balatownfc instagram: @balatownfc youtube: bala town football club tik tok: balatownofficial

Player Sponsors | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met Player Sponsorships

Match & Ball Sponsorship

Player Sponsorship is on a first come first served basis. First team player sponsorships are priced at £75.00 and at the end of the season; you will receive their match-worn shirt (home or away). Advertisement through acknowledgment in every matchday programme and on our team squad page on our website (balatownfc.net) while it is also possible to hyperlink to any website (where appropriate).

Match and Ball Sponsorships are now available once again, as fans are allowed to return into our ground!

Higher bids or offers will be accepted. Once the money has been paid, the sponsorship is sold and no further offers will be accepted. Please get in contact with either Nigel at nigel. aykroyd@aykroyds.co.uk or Arwel at armano9@btinternet.com if you are interested in sponsoring a first team player for the 2021/2022 season.

Match and Ball sponsorships are a great way to promote your business, with benefits such as adverts in our matchday programme, website advertising, and promoting your business over the tannoy throughout the build up to kick off and after the match. Please get in contact with Nigel at nigel.aykroyd@ aykroyds.co.uk or Arwel at armano9@ btinternet.com to find out more information on how to sponsor a match and ball.

SPONSORSHIP balatownfc.co.uk | 11

Available at

FROM

£ 18 a mont6 h

Get to know Cardiff Met | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met

Club Name: Cardiff Metropolitan University FC Established: 2000 Home: Cyncoed Campus Nickname: The Archers

Cardiff Met are a semi-professional side who play their home matches at the Cyncoed Campus. In 2000, Inter Cardiff FC merged with Cardiff Metropolitan University to form UWIC Inter Cardiff FC, until the club was renamed as just Cardiff Metropolitan University FC in 2012. The Archers were promoted into the Cymru Premier following their 1st place finish in the Welsh Football League Division One in 2015-16, and managed to finish in the top 6 in their first season. In 2019, Cardiff Met qualified for the Europa League, following a penalty shootout win in the European Play-Off Final against ourselves, following a 1-1 draw after extra-time. Met went on to play Progres Niederkorn of Luxembourg, in the Preliminary round of the Europa League, and were unlucky not to go through, as they were defeated on away goals in a 2-2 aggregate draw. Last season; Met finished 8th in the table, just two points off Newtown who went on to qualify for the Europa Conference League. After the split last season, Met went on a run of 9 games unbeaten, while winning 7 of them 9 games.

balatownfc.co.uk | 15

Analysis of Cardiff Met | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met FORM The Archers made a clean sweep of victories throughout their pre-season campaign, which saw them victorious over Prescot Cables, Goytre United, and fellow Cymru Premier side Aberystwyth Town. Following their three pre-season friendlies, they would return to competitive action with a Nathaniel MG Cup tie against Ammanford, which saw the Cymru Premier side dump the Cymru South side out of the cup with a 4-0 win away from home. The start of the new Cymru Premier season was next for Met, as they opened up their campaign with a home match against Flint Town United. It was not a good day however for the Archers, as they fell to a heavy 5-1 defeat at home, with Flint’s new signing Mike Wilde netting twice late on. Most recently for Met, was Haverfordwest County on Matchday 2 of the Cymru Premier season, and it was a much improved result after their Cymru Premier opener, this time earning a point in a scoreless draw at Haverfordwest County.

(A) 0-0 vs Haverfordwest County – Cymru Premier MD2 (H) 1-5 vs Flint Town United – Cymru Premier MD1 (A) 0-4 vs Ammanford – Nathaniel MG Cup (H) 3-1 vs Prescot Cables - Friendly (H) 1-0 vs Goytre United - Friendly (A) 0-2 vs Aberystwyth Town - Friendly

16 | balatownfc.co.uk

Analysis of Cardiff Met | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met KEY PLAYER NAME: ELIOT EVANS POSITION: MIDFIELDER Eliot Evans; who’s begun his sixth season with the Archers will be a known threat to Colin Caton and his men, as the talismanic midfielder netted 13 times in 30 appearances last season. Throughout his Met career, he’s only missed out on double figures for goals in two seasons, with the 2017-18 season being his most prolific with 14 goals in 33 games. During last season’s campaign, Evans reached a half-century of Cymru Premier goals, as he netted twice against Cefn Druids to reach the milestone. He will most definitely be a threat in today’s game if he’s allowed time and space on the ball in the midfield.

KEY PLAYER NAME: ADAM ROSCROW POSITION: FORWARD Despite Roscrow enduring a tough time at his parent club The New Saints, he will still be a threat while on loan back at Cardiff Met. Roscrow spent four seasons at Met before returning this summer on loan from TNS, however during his four years at the Archers, he scored 37 goals in 85 appearances including 10 goals in 9 appearances in the Play-Off Conference in his last season at Met. The forward will be looking for redemption this season, in a bid to stake his claim once he returns back to his parent club next summer, therefore despite his recent lack of goals, there’s no counting him out in today’s match!

balatownfc.co.uk | 17

Previous Meeting | Bala Town 4 vs 1 Cardiff Met

A Christmas cracker from the Lakesiders! The Lakesiders returned to Maes Tegid for the first time in three fixtures on Saturday afternoon (12/12/2020) with Cardiff Met making the trip up North following the reverse fixture just a week ago, as both teams earned a point at Cyncoed after some late drama. The Lakesiders came into this game, on the back of a much needed 2-1 win away to Aberystwyth in mid-week, after Gary Roberts converted a penalty to score his first Bala goal on his return, and a Lassana Mendes header sealed the three points for Bala in the first half. Following this game, the Lakesiders will have a 2 week break, and will return on Boxing Day to face Gwynedd Rivals Caernarfon Town. Two changes were made to the eleven that started against Aberystwyth Town in mid-week, as Chris Venables returned from suspension, and Steve Leslie made his way into the starting eleven in the absense of an injured Gary Roberts, while Lassana Mendes dropped to the bench to give way to the Captain. Nathan Peate also returned from suspension, and was named on the bench.

18 | balatownfc.co.uk

We got underway at Maes Tegid, and within the opening five minutes, we saw a goal! Will Evans got on the end of a brilliantly placed Ollie Shannon cross to head home to give the Lakesiders an early lead! Will with his 10th goal of the season, notching one against his former side also! Henry Jones looked sharp throughout the opening quarter of an hour, as he managed to beat three Met players, and put a ball through the defence, however Will couldn’t reach the ball in time, as the keeper, Alex Lang got to the ball first. Ryan Pryce made his way down the right, and lofted a ball towards Chris Venables in the box, yet the Met keeper came and collected the cross. A break in play on 25 minutes as Emlyn Lewis went down for Met, as he received a ball right into the midriff after a volley from Henry Jones. Some good combination play down the left from Henry Jones and Sean Smith, as a few one two’s got the pair down the left, however the final pass in-behind the Met defence was too heavy, and went out for a goal kick.

Previous Meeting | Bala Town 4 vs 1 Cardiff Met The Lakesiders won a corner after Ryan Pryce made a driving run into the Met half, Will Evans collected the ball near the byline and managed to win a corner. A costly corner for Met! As Antony Kay smashed home from the corner to score his first goal for the Lakesiders! A corner from Steve Leslie made its way to the back post, where Kay pounced onto the ball and cannoned the ball into the roof of the net, and made it 2-0 to the Town after half an hour. It wasn’t long until we were treated to another goal! This time the returning Chris Venables grabbed his 14th goal of the season! A brilliant no look pass through the defence from Henry Jones, onto the on-rushing Venables who set him self, and found the bottom right corner to give his side a 3-0 lead just a minute before the end of the half! The referee blew his whistle to end the half, and what a half it was! A dominating half from The second half got underway, and soon enough, Met grabbed a goal back.. After four minutes played of the second half, Ollie Hulbert grabbed a goal, after a nicely weighted pass from Dylan Rees into the path of Hulbert who side footed it past Ramsay in goal, and made it 3-1.

Just after the hour mark, the Captain Chris Venables should of doubled his goals for the day! A brilliant free kick from Henry Jones, into the direction of Venables, who had a free header, but his effort went wide of the goal. However, just three minutes later, the Captain did double his tally! A superb kick from Alex Ramsay from his own box, right over the top of the Met defence, into the path of Venables who got to the ball before Alex Lang, and headed into an empty net! 4-1 to the Lakesiders with well over 20 minutes remaining! Alex Ramsay was still alert with 10 minutes to go, as he came out to intercept the ball in mid-air, and got his side up the pitch. Despite four minutes of added time, no team could mount any more serious attacks, as the referee blew on his whistle for the final time. A brilliant performance from the Lakesiders, with a very deserved three points made their way into 2nd place for a few hours, with Connah’s Quay Nomads ending The New Saints’ unbeaten run just a few hours later.

balatownfc.co.uk | 19

Business Advertisements | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met

SMITHY GARAGE SUPPORT THE LAKESIDERS Bala Town are so grateful for the tremendous support which the 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 role which he provides to our community programmes. Smithy Garage offers a whole range of vehicle services and we would be delighted if our loyal supporters could look them up whenever there is any vehicular requirements.

Car/Van Sales MOT’s Servicing Body Repairs Thank you most sincerely on behalf of us all at Maes Tegid. Long may our relationship together continue!

20 | balatownfc.co.uk

Business Advertisements | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met

We designed and printed this programme! Graphic Design Branding Sports Design Printing

Web Design Social Media Marketing

salisbury.media

rob@salisburymedia.co.uk Digital Marketing Company of the Year - Wales (Wrexham)

balatownfc.co.uk | 21

woods

Calum Woods | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met NAME: CALUM WOODS POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLISH FORMER CLUBS: LIVERPOOL FC 1997-2006 (YOUTH) / DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC 2006-2011 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2011-2014 / PRESTON NORTH END 2014-2019 BRADFORD CITY 2019 / TRANMERE ROVERS 2019-2020 FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER 2020 / SC EAST BENGAL 2021

Calum Woods joined the Lakesiders during the summer transfer window, signing from Indian Super League side SC East Bengal, in which Robbie Fowler was managing at the time. Woods has spent most of his career playing professionally in the English Football League, playing for the likes of Huddersfield Town, Preston North End, Bradford City and Tranmere Rovers. However he started his career as a youth at Liverpool FC, in which he spent 9 years in, before making a move to senior football where he joined Scottish side Dunfermline Athletic. After his five seasons up North, he moved back to England to join Huddersfield Town, and was promoted in his first season from League One to the Championship. Three seasons later he would drop back down to League One with Preston North End, and again enjoy promotion in his first season with the club. Unfortunately during his five seasons at PNE, he suffered multiple injuries which lead him to making just shy of 100 appearances for the Championship side, and subsequently made a move to Bradford City. Woods would spend a season with Bradford before making the move to Tranmere Rovers in League One, however he made only 16 appearances for Tranmere and then moved onto FC United Of Manchester who played in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

After making just two appearances, he was signed by Indian Super League side SC East Bengal, but due to the pandemic, decided to move back to the UK after making no appearances for the club. Woods has so far featured in both of our Europa Conference League defeats to Larne, and also featured in our Nathaniel MG Cup win over Flint, and our 2-2 draw against Penybont to kick off our Cymru Premier campaign.

balatownfc.co.uk | 23

Previous Match Report | Barry Town vs Bala Town

Points shared in South Wales The Lakesiders continue to chase their first victory of the season having come up short of the three points at Jenner Park against Barry Town after a game of few chances for either side. High intensity, high tempo It was end-to-end action straight from the off, with both teams looking to push the pace early. Barry almost drew first blood when Nat Jarvis found space to direct a header towards goal, however his effort dragged agonisingly wide as the Lakesiders blew a sigh of relief. When Bala did get up the other end, the final product was lacking as Michael Lewis was rarely tested in the Barry net. Kieran Smith displayed his defensive duties when making a pivotal block to deny Clayton Green whose shot locked destined to strike the back of the net inside the area. Feisty affair The referee was no stranger to handing out the yellow cards as his book was in heavy use throughout the ninety minutes. With both teams looking to counter-attack at every opportunity, tactical fouls were on show with four yellow cards being handed out in the first half alone, two apiece.

24 | balatownfc.co.uk

The return of fans certainly helped in achieving this as they set the scene for what was a scrappy clash between two Cymru Premier rivals. Dave Edwards pulling the strings Former Wales international Dave Edwards was involved in every attack as Bala chased a winner late on and was at the heart of the midfield throughout the ninety minutes. The marquee signing of the summer played a roaming role in the midfield as he had the freedom to drift from side to side and help build each Lakesiders move towards the Linnets net. And it was the former Wolves man who came closest to breaking the deadlock as his flick on from a Lakesiders’ free-kick forced Lewis into pulling off a superb save down to his right. No Venables, no party Having been sent off last week for violent conduct, Bala captain Chris Venables would miss the first away game of the season, and his missing presence was evident as we lacked chances and goals. Chris Sang was left with a lot of pressure on his shoulders with the Lakesiders reliant on him to provide the goals missing with the absence of Venables.

Previous Match Report | Barry Town vs Bala Town However, he couldn’t quite provide the killer instinct required from what every Bala fan is so used to seeing with Venables.

Up next for Bala Town is Cardiff Met who travel up to Maes Tegid to take us on next Saturday August 28th at 2:30pm.

Steve Leslie almost grabs the winner at the death…

Match Stats:

In what turned out to be the final chance of the game, Bala won a free-kick just outside the Linnets box, with Steve Leslie stepping up to take it, his effort went inches wide of the goal. With that chance summing up our entire game as we came close to taking all three points yet lacked theend product to take the game by the scruff of the neck. In the end,ninety minutes went by without any real clear-cut opportunities for the Lakesiders as both sides played out a goalless draw at Jenner Park.

Bala Town - Alex Ramsay, Ollie Shannon, Antony Kay, Anthony Stephens, Jonny Spittle, Kieran Smith, Lassana Mendes, Dave Edwards, Danny Walker- Rice, Will Evans, Chris Sang Barry Town – Michael Lewis, Luke Cummings, Chris Hugh, Robbie Patten, Kayne McLaggon, Nat Jarvis, Jordan Cotterill, Theo Wharton, Curtis McDonald, Luke Cooper, Clayton Green Substitutes: Bala Town –Steve Leslie>Danny Walker-Rice (72) Barry Town–Marcus Day>Jordan Cotterill (74), Callum Sainty>Robbie Patten (74)

balatownfc.co.uk | 25

Business Advertisements | Bala Town vs Penybont FC

26 | balatownfc.co.uk

POB GÊM CYMRU AR Y DAITH I QATAR YN FYW EVERY WALES GAME ON THE ROAD TO QATAR LIVE

2021/22 Cymru Premier League Fixtures | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met

Bala Town vs Cardiff Met 28/08/21 14:30 KO Aberystwyth Town vs Bala Town

31/08/21

20:00 KO

Bala Town vs Haverfordwest County

11/09/21

14:30 KO

Connah’s Quay Nomads vs Bala Town

18/09/21

14:30 KO

Flint Town vs Bala Town

02/10/21

14:30 KO

Bala Town vs Cefn Druids 09/10/21 14:30 KO The New Saints vs Bala Town

12/10/21

19:45 KO

Bala Town vs Barry Town 23/10/21 14:30 KO Penybont vs Bala Town

30/10/21

14:30 KO

Bala Town vs Connah’s Quay Nomads 05/11/21 19:45 KO Newtown vs Bala Town

09/11/21

19:45 KO

Bala Town vs Flint Town 19/11/21 19:45 KO Bala Town vs The New Saints 03/12/21 19:45 KO Haverfordwest County vs Bala Town

11/12/21

14:30 KO

Cefn Druids vs Bala Town

17/12/21

14:30 KO

Bala Town vs Caernarfon Town 26/12/21 14:30 KO Caernarfon Town vs Bala Town

01/01/22

14:30 KO

Cardiff Met vs Bala Town

22/01/22

14:30 KO

Bala Town vs Newtown 28/01/22 19:45 KO Bala Town vs Aberystwyth Town 12/02/22 17:15 KO

28 | balatownfc.co.uk

BUILD. CREATE. UNITE. ORDER YOUR TEAM’S KIT ONLINE IN THE ADIDAS LOCKER ROOM.

G E T S TA R T E D LOCKERROOM.ADIDAS.CO.UK

Bala Town Reserves | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met

Manager: Dafydd Hughes Assistant: Alan Roberts Players: (GK)Dominic Walker,(GK) Dion Owen Jones, Jack Jarvis, Dan Lindsay,(C) Dave Yates, Gwion Thomas, Cai Aykroyd, Geth Edwards, Tom Forrester, Adam Galdo, Will Hughes, Jake Jamieson, Eben Jones, Owain Jones, Steven Jones, Tom Lloyd, Robin McNaught, Ben Roberts, Sam Roberts, Llion Thomas, Andrew Verzun, Steffan Williams, Paul Yates, Steffan Jones, Joe Taft Our Reserves team were re-established in 2019 after the club considered it to be a vital part of the community to provide local players the opportunity to play for Bala Town. In the Reserves’ first and only season playing in the Wrexham Area Reserves & Colts Division, they would finish 10th out of 14 teams in the league, however after the COVID 19 pandemic hit and put a halt on our lives, their season was curtailed on May 19th 2020 and their final league position would be determined on an unweighted points per game method. Fast forward to now, and our Reserves enter a new league system, now playing in the FAW Reserve League North West, and have seen many new players arrive and many players depart.

30 | balatownfc.co.uk

The Reserves kicked off their league campaign to Denbigh Town Reserves on Friday 30th of July at Maes Tegid, and what a cracker of a game it was! Despite leading 2-0 until the 63rd minute, the match ended in a 3-3 draw with the visitors netting twice in the last five minutes of normal time. However there was more drama to come as Llion Thomas scored his second of the game in the fourth minute of added time to claw back a point. Next up was Holywell Town Reserves at Maes Tegid on the 6th of August. Under the floodlights of Maes Tegid; 15 minutes into the game and Geth Edwards gave our Reserves the lead with a low driven free kick past the wall and into the net. Although just shy of the half hour mark, an own goal from Steff Williams gave the visitors the equaliser. Then 15 minutes into the second half, a shot from distance from a Holywell defender managed to creep it’s way under Dom Walker in goal and eventually gave the visitors all three points. The Reserves then travelled away to St Asaph on Friday 13th of August, in a bid to pick up their first three points of the season. However the match ended 2-1 with Cai Aykroyd scoring the only goal of the game, as St Asaph took the three points.

Bala Town Reserves | Bala Town vs Cardiff Met

Next in store was Conwy Borough Reserves, under the lights at Maes Tegid on Friday 20th of August, and what a game it turned out to be! The Reserves went down 4-0 early in the first half, however the deficit was halved by half-time as Cai Aykroyd netted two goals before the break. The visitors grabbed another goal early in the second half, before Geth Edwards replied with a goal of his own to make the score 5-3. Cai Aykroyd then grabbed his hat-trick to make the score 5-4, until the visitors put another one into the net to almost finish the game off. Yet there was still time for more drama, as Geth Edwards scored his second with over 20 minutes to go! Will Hughes then

levelled the score in an unbelievable match, with a beautiful header into the net to complete a brilliant comeback! The match finished 6-6 in the end, but what a game it was to witness. Make sure you don’t miss anymore of the Reserves, as they return to Maes Tegid on the 3rd of September to face Llanrwst United Reserves, with kick off at 7:30pm. You won’t want to miss a Reserves match again!

balatownfc.co.uk | 31

Manager: Colin Caton

Manager: Christian Edwards

Alex Ramsay

Alex Lang

Calum Woods

Max Manson

Sean Smith

Emlyn Lewis

Nathan Peate

Joe Evans

Athony Stephens

Kyle McCarthy

Jonny Spittle

Abe Noad

Lassana Mendes

Matt Chubb

Will Evans

Rhydian Morgan

Danny Walker-Rice

CJ Craven

Kieran Smith

Tom Price

Steven Leslie

Chris Baker

Antony Kay

Mathew Jones

Paul Rutherford

Jac Davies

Dave Edwards

Charlie Corsby

Brad Bauress

Liam Warman

Chris Venables

Eliot Evans

Oliver Shannon

Craig Davies

Oliver Southern

Adam Roscrow

Chris Sang

Dan Warre

Harri Lloyd

Harry Owen

ISSUE THREE > BALA TOWN VS CARDIFF MET

CARDIFF MET

MATCHDAY THREE - MAES TEGID > CYMRU PREMIER 14:30 / 28.08.2021 > MATCHDAY ONE

BALA TOWN