Bala Town vs Cefn Druids - Official Matchday Programme

ISSUE FIVE > BALA TOWN VS CEFN DRUIDS

MATCHDAY EIGHT - MAES TEGID > CYMRU PREMIER 14:30 / 09.10.2021 > MATCHDAY EIGHT

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 Cefn Druids

NIGEL’S NOTES N I G E L AY K R OY D

Happy 80th birthday llion humphreys

04 | balatownfc.co.uk

S

Nigel Aykroyd Interview | Bala Town vs Cefn Druids

Back at Maes Tegid again for another crucial JD Cymru Premier League fixture after 2 excellent back to back away wins. The results at Aberystwyth and Flint were hard fought but the confidence gained from these victories plus the successes in both the Nathaniel MG League Cup against Bangor and Pontypridd in the Welsh Cup must stand us in good stead for today’s match. We are now unbeaten in all 11 matches this season which is probably the best start to a season we have ever had in the Premier League. However it is very early doors and we have a lot of football to play before any tangible success is achieved. We continue today against our visitors who although struggling after a difficult start to the season will be another tough challenge for us. Let’s hope that our momentum can be maintained.

After an excellent Welsh cup win over Pontypridd we were certainly hoping for a kinder draw in the last 16 but a long away trip to Haverfordwest was not on that list. It will be a very difficult match on October 16th but the rewards for winning are high and we are desperately keen to progress in this prestigious Cup competition. We were definitely given a better deal when we were drawn at home against Newtown in the League Cup on Tuesday October 26th and this Quarter Final will be another big match for us at Maes Tegid.

As I always maintain, our Club Sponsors are the lifeblood of the Club and I’m delighted to welcome Williams Homes Ltd to Maes Tegid this afternoon as our Match Day Sponsors.

Williams Homes are a Bala based Company and have a network of construction and home building sites throughout North Wales. We are proud to have the support of such a well renowned and respected national company.

Their support for our local community is exemplary and our Club has had a long standing relationship with them for many years. We are delighted to welcome their representatives to Maes Tegid today and sincerely hope they enjoy our hospitality and the afternoon’s entertainment.

We also are delighted to welcome Peter Spitzmaul and family to the match today. Peter is a lifelong Bala supporter as is our Match Ball Sponsor for today’s game.

Your support as always is hugely appreciated at Maes Tegid.

I must also take this opportunity to wish a very happy 80th Birthday to our own Llion Humphreys. Although this fixture comes a couple of weeks after his birthday we welcome Llion today as a VIP guest. He has spent his life with involvement with the Club as player, officer and supporter and we are all indebted to his dedication to the Club. Diolch Llion am bobpeth!

Another significant accolade for our Club was received this week as we scooped the Premier League monthly awards. Colin Caton was named Manager of the Month and Dave Edwards won the Player of the Month award.

Both these awards are richly deserved and demonstrates how well the Club is performing at the highest level of domestic football in Wales. Huge congratulations to Colin and Dave. We hope to have a presentation of these today but await receipt of the trophies as at time of writing these notes.

There is an awful lot going on at Maes Tegid!!

Thank you all for your support here today and enjoy the afternoon’s entertainment.

Diolch Pawb. Nigel.

d y o r k y A .

N balatownfc.co.uk | 05

EXCLUSIVE RETAIL PARTNER

ISSUE FIVE > BALA TOWN VS CEFN DRUIDS

MATCHDAY EIGHT - MAES TEGID > CYMRU PREMIER 14:30 / 09.10.2021 > MATCHDAY EIGHT

PLD

GD

PTS

1

THE NEW SAINTS

7

12

19

2

BALA TOWN

7

7

15

3

FLINT TOWN UNITED

7

8

12

CAERNARFON TOWN

7

3

11

CARDIFF MET

7

-2

11

NEWTOWN

7

3

10

BARRY

7

-1

10

CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS

7

1

9

PENYBONT

7

2

8

ABERYSTWYTH

7

-5

6

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY

7

-6

5

CEFN DRUIDS

7

-22

0

1

ALEX RAMSAY > GOALKEEPER

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

2

CALUM WOODS > DEFENDER

3

SEAN SMITH > DEFENDER

4

NATHAN PEATE > DEFENDER

5

ANTHONY STEPHENS > DEFENDER

6

JONNY SPITTLE > DEFENDER

7

LASSANA MENDES > MIDFIELDER

8

WILL EVANS > FORWARD

10

DANNY WALKER-RICE > FORWARD

ala tow

KIERAN SMITH > MIDFIELDER

14

STEVEN LESLIE > MIDFIELDER

11

15

ANTONY KAY > MIDFIELDER

18

PAUL RUTHERFORD > FORWARD

19

DAVE EDWARDS > MIDFIELDER

20

BRAD BAURESS > MIDFIELDER

25

CHRIS VENABLES > FORWARD

29

OLIVER SHANNON > MIDFIELDER

30

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 Cefn Druids Player Sponsorships Alex Ramsay – Available Harri Lloyd – Ado Vogt and Gee Levy Calum Woods – Available Jonny Spittle – Marianne & Nick Taft and Barry & Tracy Agger Nathan Peate – Available Anthony Stephens – Available Antony Kay – Available Sean Smith – Gwyn and Jackie Jones (Penucha) Ollie Southern – Available Kieran Smith – Stuart Venables Dave Edwards – Barry Yates Steve Leslie – Available Oliver Shannon – Alan Lee (True You FC) Will Evans – John & Sion Roberts Paul Rutherford – Chris Burrows, George Jones, Lee Parry & Foxy Lassana Mendes – Available Danny Walker-Rice – Available Chris Sang – Available

Chris Venables – Peter Spitzmaul Colin Caton – Ado Vogt and Gee Levy Stephen Fisher – Ado Vogt and Gee Levy Ryan Valentine – Ado Vogt and Gee Levy Ffiona Evans – Gwyn and Jackie Jones (Penucha) Nick Jones – Ado Vogt and Gee Levy 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.

SPONSORSHIP balatownfc.co.uk | 11

Available at

Available at

FROM

£ 18 a mont6 h

Get to know Cefn Druids | Bala Town vs Cefn Druids

Club Name: Cefn Druids Established: 1872 Home: The Rock Nickname: The Ancients

Cefn Druids are a semi-professional side who are based in Cefn Mawr, Wrexham and play their matches at ‘The Rock’. The Ancients are known to be the oldest football club in Wales, with their 150th anniversary coming next year. The club were known as Druids FC in the early 1870’s, and had won the Welsh Cup on 8 occasions, while coming runners-up on five occasions.

Despite the claims that The Ancients are the oldest football club in Wales, evidence was discovered in 2012 by the National Library of Wales, which proved Wrexham AFC were formed in 1864, making them the oldest club in Wales, however Druids can still claim they are the oldest club still playing in the Welsh Pyramid.

Druids were Champions of the Cymru Alliance in 1999 and were promoted to the League of Wales, finishing 13th in their first season in the top flight. They would stay in the top flight until 2010, where they were then relegated, finishing bottom of the league with 9 points. Four years later, and they were back in the top division until the present, however are struggling so far this season, picking up no points in their first seven games.

The club have also competed in European competition on two occasions, with the first being in 2012 where the club managed a 0-0 draw against Finnish side MYPA in the first leg of the Europa League First Qualifying Round, before losing 5-0 in the away leg. The most recent occasion was in 2018, where the club faced Lithuanian side Trakai in the Europa League Preliminary Round, and were unlucky not to progress as they fell to a 2-1 aggregate defeat.

balatownfc.co.uk | 14

Get to know Cefn Druids | Bala Town vs Cefn Druids

FORM The Ancients have struggled so far this season, picking up no points in their first seven league games, and have a goal difference of -22. Druids have also been knocked out of the Nathaniel MG Cup, after a 3-0 defeat to Cymru North side Prestatyn Town, and had to rely on a 4-2 penalty shootout win in the JD Welsh Cup against Holyhead Hotspur to progress through to the Third Round. They were then knocked out of the JD Welsh Cup after a 4-1 defeat to Aberystwyth Town in the Third Round.

Their previous six matches have seen them taste defeat on five occasions, with one penalty shootout win in the Second Round of the Welsh Cup against Holyhead Hotspur. The month of September saw them concede 14 goals in five games, and only score 3 goals in those five games.

Despite falling to a 4-2 defeat to Cardiff Met most recently, Druids were ahead for a couple of minutes as Ben Wynne put his side infront, yet Met came back and score 2 goals in 1 minute to turn the game on its head. The Ancients will be looking to pick up some points sooner rather than later, but it doesn’t look pretty for the club, who have just seen their manager Niall McGuinness leave the club after signing a two year deal in May this year.

(A) 4-2 vs Cardiff Met – Cymru Premier MD7 (A) 4-1 vs Aberystwyth Town – JD Welsh Cup Third Round (H) 0-3 vs Penybont – Cymru Premier MD6 (A) 3-0 vs Caernarfon Town – Cymru Premier MD5 (H) 0-0 (4-2p) vs Holyhead Hotspur – JD Welsh Cup Second Round (A) 5-0 vs Newtown – Cymru Premier MD4

balatownfc.co.uk | 15

Match Sponsors | Bala Town vs Cefn Druids Bala Town FC are proud and delighted that Williams Homes (Bala) Ltd are our Match Sponsors for today’s JD Cymru Premier fixture against Cefn Druids FC. Williams Homes are a Bala based Company and have a network of construction and home building sites throughout North Wales. We are proud to have the support of such a well renowned and respected national company.

Their support for our local community is exemplary and our Club has had a long standing relationship with them for many years.

We are delighted to welcome their representatives to Maes Tegid today and sincerely hope they enjoy our hospitality and the afternoon’s entertainment.

Mae Clwb Pel-Droed Y Bala mor falch ac wrth ein bodd fod cwmni Williams Homes Cyf (Bala) wedi ei cytuno i noddi ein gem heddiw yn Uwch Gynghrair Cymru wrth ini groesawu Derwyddon Cefn yma i Faes Tegid.

Mae Cwmni Williams Homes wedi ei sefydlu ei pencadlys yn y Bala ac yn weithredol fel cwmni adeiladu tai drwy ogledd Cymru.

Rydym yn falch iawn o gefnogaeth cwmni mor enwog a’i gwaith proffesiynol yn adnabyddus drwy Gymru gyfan.

Mae yn bleser cael croesawu rhai o’i cynrychiolwyr yma i Faes Tegid heddiw ac yn gobeithio y byddant yn mwynhau y lletygarwch a’r gem heddiw.

UNIT 18 – 19 ENTERPRISE PARK BALA GWYNEDD LL23 7NL 01678 521781

16 | balatownfc.co.uk

Ball Sponsors | Bala Town vs Cefn Druids Match Ball Sponsors “All of us at Bala Town are most grateful to Pete Spitzmaul and his family for today’s sponsorship of the Match Ball. Pete has been a tremendous supporter of the Club for all his life and we are delighted that he continues to visit us at Maes Tegid with his family on so many occasions. Enjoy your day with us. Diolch Pete.”

Happy birthday Llion Humphreys Huge congratulations and best wishes to Llion Humphreys on his 80th birthday on September 23rd.

Llion has been a lifelong stalwart at Maes Tegid. His playing career lasted until he was well in his 40’s and he then sat on the Management Committee for over 25 years. Llion remains an ever present at Maes Tegid and we all welcome him here today as a special VIP guest. Llion’s contribution to Bala Town can never be understated and his commitment, his dedication and his support will forever be recognised by us all in the Club. In the very true meaning of the phrase Llion Humphreys is most definitely a Club Legend!!

Llongyfarchiadau anferthol i un o arwyr Clwb Pel-droed Y Bala, Llion Humphreys, sydd yn dathlu ei benblwydd arbennig yn 80 oed ar Fedi 23ain. Mae Llion wedi bod yn aelod ffyddlon, triw a chefnogol gydol oes ym MaesTegid. Parhaodd ei yrfa bel-droed hyd yn hwyr i’w 40’au ac fe fynychodd bwyllgorau rheoli am dros 25ain mlynedd. Mae’n parhau yn gefnogwr brwd hyd heddiw, a’i gyfraniad a’i gefnogaeth i Glwb Pel-droed Y Bala yn amhrisiadwy.

Mae ei ymroddiad yn amlwg, a’i bresenoldeb selog yn parhau hyd heddiw. Yng ngwir ystyr y gair, mae Llion Humphreys yn legend!

Heddiw,pleser yw cael ei groesawu yn westai arbennig i Faes Tegid i ddathlu ei benblwydd arbennig.

balatownfc.co.uk | 17

Previous Meeting | Cefn Druids 1 vs 3 Bala Town - March 2021

Ten man Lakesiders grab all three points in stellar second half performance!

The Lakesiders returned to action this weekend (Saturday 13th March) with a trip to The Rock to face Cefn Druids. The Ancients came into the game under temporary management, as Jayson Starkey took charge of team affairs. On the other half, Bala came into the game having battled out a stalemate at Park Hall against The New Saints last weekend, and holding on to an unbeaten away record so far this league campaign.

After 20 minutes gone, Bala slowly got into the game, despite the threat posed by Druids on the attack.

However, it didn’t take The Lakesiders long to level! Ollie Shannon managed to prod the ball home from close range, after Venables’ first time volley was blocked by a wall of Druids defenders, the ball dropped to Ollie who couldn’t miss!

Raul Correia came close to putting The Town ahead just minutes after the equaliser, as he latched onto a perfect ball by Leslie, but Raul dragged his effort wide of the post.

We got underway at The Rock, with the hosts threatening early on the attack, and it didn’t take long until those threats paid off, as the hosts took the lead after just seven minutes through a strike from Former Bala player Stef Edwards, a low driven strike on his left foot that went across Ramsay and into the bottom right hand corner.

A poor start from The Lakesiders, with Druids looking the better side.

Bala piled on the pressure late in the half with two strikes on goal in quick succession, as Antony Kay had his strike blocked off the line, as did Ollie Shannon’s strike, and Druids were able to clear.

An early yellow card was shown to Kieran Smith after 10 minutes, and after a few more fouls, Manager Colin Caton decided not to risk the possbility of going down to ten men and substituted Smith for Steve Leslie.

We got underway for the second half, and all of a sudden... Bala were ahead! Just minutes after the restart, Ollie Shannon pounced on the ball from close range and poked home to grab his second of the game! Just the start we needed to the second half!

18 | balatownfc.co.uk

The half time whistle came, and possibly to the relief of the hosts, as The Lakesiders could have gone into the lead late in the half, if it wasn’t for the resilient defence of Druids.

Previous Meeting | Cefn Druids 1 vs 3 Bala Town - March 2021 Antony Kay and Ryan Pryce linked up well down the right hand side for a good chunk of the second half, with Pryce darting down the right hand side to put some brilliant balls into the box for the Bala forwards to attack.

With 20 minutes to go, Bala were awarded a penalty! Raul Correia’s driving run into the box was halted as he was brought down by a Druids defender inside the box, and referee Iwan Arwel pointed to the spot!

Chris Venables stepped up to take the spot kick, and cool as ever slotted it into the bottom right corner of the goal to gain a two goal advantage over the hosts.

The hosts appealed for a penalty after Nathan Peate put a challenge in inside the box, however the referee deemed it a clean tackle.

With just 10 minutes to go, Bala were reduced to ten men... Steve Leslie was involved in an altercation with Ryan Kershaw leading to Leslie being given his marching orders for violent conduct, yet Kershaw was given a yellow card for his involvement.

Five minutes from time, Danny Gosset was handed his first competitive appearance in nearly two years, after recovering from non-hodgkins lymphoma, a massive moment for Danny, The Club and Welsh Football as a whole, to witness the inspirational comeback from Danny.

Alex Ramsay was called into action late in the game, as he kept out a long range effort from a Druids midfielder.

Despite there being three minutes of added time, Bala saw the game out to pick up all three points after a much improved second half performance.

Yellow Cards: Kieran Smith (11), Jonny Spittle (40), Chris Venables (88), Red Cards: Steve Leslie (80) Substitutions: Steve Leslie (23), Henry Jones (65), Danny Gosset (81)

balatownfc.co.uk | 19

Business Advertisements | Bala Town vs Cefn Druids

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 Cefn Druids

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

smith

h

Kieran Smith | Bala Town vs Cefn Druids NAME: KIERAN SMITH POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLISH FORMER CLUBS:

CHESTER NOMADS BALA TOWN 2013 - 2016 TASMAN UNITED FC - 2017-2018 BALA TOWN - 2018 – PRESENT

Kieran Smith joined the Lakesiders in 2013 for his first spell with the club, which lasted three seasons until he had the opportunity to go and play for Tasman United in New Zealand.

However his time out in New Zealand didn’t last long, after just seven appearances, two goals and a red card he came back to Maes Tegid.

One of the most memorable moments in the club’s history was provided by Chris Venables and Kieran Smith, as the two combined to score an 85th minute winner in the JD Welsh Cup Final against The New Saints at Bangor City’s Nantporth Stadium. Chris Venables’ pinpoint cross into the box made its way to Kieran Smith, who powered his header past Harrison in goal to give us a 2-1 lead, and ultimately lift the JD Welsh Cup for the first time in our history! A goal that will live long in the memory of every Bala fan.

This season is Kieran’s Ninth season with the Lakesiders, and currently holds the record for the most European Appearances (12). He also made his 150th league start for the club in our 1-0 win over Aberystwyth Town on the 31st of August at Park Avenue.

Kieran played a good chunk of his career as a Forward, but has now dropped into a deeper roll for Colin Caton, and plays as a deep-lying Midfielder and has not looked out of place. After making just 18 league appearances last season due to injury, he’s now played every minute in the league so far this season.

balatownfc.co.uk | 23

Previous Match Report | Flint Town United vs Bala Town

Dave Edwards’ added-time winner claims victory for the Lakesiders Dave Edwards’ added-time winner saw the Lakesiders clinch three points at the Essity Stadium as we came from behind to beat Flint Town United and jump to 2nd in the league.

Bala dominate the opening exchanges The Lakesiders controlled possession in the early stages and looked to break down the Silkmen’s defence but were limited to set pieces as Flint survived the early pressure. Paul Rutherford looked particularly dangerous as his non-stop work rate helped keep the Silkmen pinned in their own half of the pitch.

Wilde gives Flint the lead The Silkmen settled into the game from there and looked to attack down the left through threatening left back Samuel Hart.

Hart almost gave his side the lead when his inviting cross was met by Jack Kenny in the Bala box, yet he couldn’t direct his header on target.

It was Hart again minutes later, delivering another

24 | balatownfc.co.uk

dangerous cross into the area and this time it was met by the head of the unforgiving Michael Wilde who directed his header past Harri Lloyd to give his side the lead. Flint taking the lead just before the hour mark, shocked Bala who had been on top for large parts of the first-half.

Wilde almost made Bala pay again, when he stole the ball on the halfway line from a poorly directed pass to Oliver Southern, he drove towards Lloyd’s goal but his effort luckily came off the post as Bala blew a sigh of relief.

The Lakesiders stayed composed till half-time as Bala could reset and go again after the break.

Bala threaten to equalise in the second-half Brad Bauress played playmaker in the secondhalf as he looked to provide the creative spark for an equaliser.He went close to producing it when his low driven cross found a stretching Dave Edwards at the back post, but his shot was tipped away by John Rushton.

Again, Bauress almost produced the equaliser when his cross found Nathan Peate minutes later, but his headed effort was met by another Rushton save.

Previous Match Report | Flint Town United vs Bala Town Mendes > Venables > GOAL Lassana Mendes came on to the pitch as Colin Caton looked for an impact from his bench with time running out for Bala to get something out of the 2nd vs 3rd clash. He got exactly what he wished for when Mendes delivered a sublime cross into the back post and was headed in by who else, but Chris Venables!

The captain drawing us level and giving us the momentum to push for a winner with the supersub’s pinpoint cross helping Bala break the Flint resistance.

Dave Edwards wins it at the death!

Both sides pushed for the winner with 15 minutes left following Venables’ equaliser, and Flint almost had an immediate response when Jake Phillips received the ball in front of the Bala goal, with a free shot at grabbing potentially the winner with only Lloyd to beat but could only drag his shot wide as a huge chance for the hosts went by.

It was Bala though who had their tails up and looked likely to complete the turnaround late into the game, with substitutes Mendes and Chris Sang having a positive impact in the final third.

It was Sang’s turn to make his impact from the bench, and he did exactly that when his display of individual magic on the wing saw him take on his man and whip a cross into the awaiting Edwards.

The former Wales international volleying the ball home as Bala clinched victory in the last minute having fought back from a goal down!

This vital win sees Bala Town climb Flint Town into 2nd, the Lakesiders now sitting four points behind the league leaders TNS, with the title race well and truly on.

The Lakesiders will be in action again on Saturday 9th of October, as we take on Cefn Druids at Maes Tegid, with kick-off at 2:30pm.

Match Stats: Bala Town - Harri Lloyd, Calum Woods, Nathan Peate, Oliver Southern, Ollie Shannon, Steven Leslie, Kieran Smith, Paul Rutherford, Brad Bauress, David Edwards, Chris Venables Flint Town - John Rushton, Jake Phillips, Sam Hart, Ben Maher, Kai Edwards, Jack Kenny, Michael Wilde, Mark Cadwallader, Daniel Roberts, Ross Weaver, Daniel Harrison Goals: Michael Wilde (31), Chris Venables (76), David Edwards (90+2)

balatownfc.co.uk | 25

Business Advertisements | Bala Town vs Cefn Druids

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 Cefn Druids

Bala Town 2-2 Penybont

14/08/21

D

Barry Town 0-0 Bala Town

21/08/21

D

Bala Town 0-0 Cardiff Met

28/08/21

D

Aberystwyth Town 0-1 Bala Town

31/08/21

W

Bala Town 6-2 Haverfordwest County

11/09/21

W

Connah’s Quay Nomads 0-1 Bala Town

18/09/21

W

Flint Town 1-2 Bala Town

02/10/21

W

Bala Town vs Cefn Druids

09/10/21

The New Saints vs Bala Town

12/10/21

Bala Town vs Barry Town

23/10/21

Penybont vs Bala Town

30/10/21

Bala Town vs Connah’s Quay Nomads

05/11/21

Newtown vs Bala Town

09/11/21

Bala Town vs Flint Town

19/11/21

Bala Town vs The New Saints

03/12/21

Haverfordwest County vs Bala Town

11/12/21

Cefn Druids vs Bala Town

17/12/21

Bala Town vs Caernarfon Town

26/12/21

Caernarfon Town vs Bala Town

01/01/22

Cardiff Met vs Bala Town

22/01/22

Bala Town vs Newtown

28/01/22

Bala Town vs Aberystwyth Town

12/02/22

28 | balatownfc.co.uk

© 2019 adidas AG. adidas, the 3-Bars logo and the 3-Stripes mark are registered trademarks of the adidas Group.

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 Cefn Druids

FAW Reserve League North West Bala Town Reserves 3-3 Denbigh Town Reserves Bala Town Reserves 1-2 Holywell Town Reserves St Asaph Reserves 2-1 Bala Town Reserves Bala Town Reserves 6-6 Conwy Borough Reserves Bala Town Reserves 3-3 Llanrwst United Reserves Bala Town Reserves 2-1 Llangefni Town Reserves Bala Town Reserves 3-4 Porthmadog Reserves Nantlle Vale Reserves vs Bala Town Reserves Bala Town Reserves vs Prestatyn Town Reserves

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.

30/07/21 06/08/21 13/08/21 20/08/21 03/09/21 17/09/21 01/10/21 09/10/21 15/10/21

D L L D D W L

Reserves Top Scorers Geth Edwards – 5 Llion Thomas – 4 Cai Aykroyd – 4 Will Hughes – 3 The Season So Far Our Reserves kicked off their league campaign with a home match against Denbigh Town Reserves on the 30th of July, and were unlucky not to come away with three points after going 2-0 up after the 47th minute, however Denbigh came back to lead 3-2 in the 89th minute. The drama didn’t stop there, as Llion Thomas grabbed his 2nd goal of the game to level the game up in the 94th minute!

Two defeats would follow by a score-line of 2-1 against Holywell Town Reserves and St Asaph Reserves, but next came the game of the season so far… Conwy Borough Reserves were the visitors to Maes Tegid on the 20th of August, and what a game it was! The visitors took an early 4-0 lead after just 27 minutes, but the deficit was

30 | balatownfc.co.uk

Bala Town Reserves | Bala Town vs Cefn Druids

halved by half-time as Cai Aykroyd scored two goals in 12 minutes. However the visitors grabbed another goal shortly after half-time to make it 5-2, but again our Reserves came back through Geth Edwards’ four minutes later. Cai Aykroyd then grabbed his hat-trick three minutes later to cut the deficit once more. Yet again the visitors grabbed another goal with 25 minutes remaining, now with the score at 6-4. Geth Edwards went a grabbed his brace minutes after the visitors’ 6th goal and cut the deficit to just one goal! With 10 minutes remaining, with the score poised at 6-5, either side could still grab a goal of their own… and thankfully it was our Reserves who grabbed it! Will Hughes levelled the scoring to make it 6-6 and win back a point for the Reserves in an unbelievable match.

Our Reserves stepped into September and took on Llanrwst United Reserves at Maes Tegid, yet that first victory still eluded the Reserves, as the

they would have to come from behind once again to snatch a point in added time, as Llion Thomas scored in the 93rd minute to earn a point in a 3-3 draw.

The first victory came in their next match, as they faced Llangefni Town Reserves at Maes Tegid but it wasn’t all plain sailing, as the visitors took the lead half way through the second half. But, goals from Llion Thomas and a free kick from Geth Edwards gave the Reserves their first three points of the season!

Their most recent result was against Porthmadog Reserves, and unfortunately three goals weren’t enough to win them the match, as Porthmadog took all three points with a 4-3 victory at Maes Tegid. They currently sit in 11th place and take on Nantlle Vale Reserves who sit on top of the table.

balatownfc.co.uk | 31

Manager: Colin Caton

Interim Manager: Andy Turner

Alex Ramsay

Michael Jones

Calum Woods

Ryan Neild

Sean Smith

Cameron Dutton

Nathan Peate

Liam Buckley

Athony Stephens

Steff Edwards

Jonny Spittle

Phil Mooney

Lassana Mendes

Brandon Lockett

Will Evans

Jake Hampson

Danny Walker-Rice

Andy Brown

Kieran Smith

George Harry

Steven Leslie

Pavel Viera

Antony Kay

Aaron Pomeyie

Paul Rutherford

Niall Flint

Dave Edwards

Derrick Amankwah

Brad Bauress

Ben Wynne

Chris Venables

Joe Faux

Oliver Shannon

Tony Davies

Oliver Southern

Emmanuel Agyemang

Chris Sang

Ben Edwards

Harri Lloyd

Charley Edge Mitchell Williams Matthew Marshall Harry Fuller Kane Lewis Eric Durnell

ISSUE FIVE > BALA TOWN VS CEFN DRUIDS

CEFN DRUIDS

MATCHDAY EIGHT - MAES TEGID > CYMRU PREMIER 14:30 / 09.10.2021 > MATCHDAY EIGHT

BALA TOWN