Saints Move 12 Points Clear After Comfortable Victory In Bala

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1466841130457260035?s=20

Goals: Clark (17), Hudson (25), McManus (68), J. Williams (69)
Yellow cards: Clark (23)
Substitutions: Cieslewicz for J. Williams (70), Smith for Redmond (79), Robles for McManus (79)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints moved 12 points clear at the top of the JD Cymru Premier after a 4-1 victory against Bala Town.

It was a solid performance from Anthony Limbrick’s team, who scored two goals in each half to wrap up the points at Maes Tegid.

It was the visitors who started on the front foot, and with just three minutes gone, Ben Clark worked an opening inside the box. The TNS man opted to cut the ball back though, rather than shoot, and the Bala defence managed to clear.

A minute later, Jordan Williams fired over from the edge of the box, as The Saints continued to search for an early go-ahead goal.

It took until minute 17 for Bala goalkeeper, Alex Ramsay, to be called into action for the first time though, as he pulled off a superb double save to first deny Declan McManus, and then Williams.

However, the home defence were unable to get the ball clear, and it fell kindly for the blue TNS shirts. After a well-worked move on the edge of the box, the ball reached Ben Clark, who rifled an effort into the top corner to open the scoring.

And it wasn’t long before The New Saints were celebrating again. In the 25th minute, Blaine Hudson rose highest inside the penalty area to meet a Chris Marriott free-kick, and the number 12 powered a header past the helpless Ramsay to extend his side’s lead.

A rare foray forward for Bala followed six minutes later, as Lassana Mendes sent an effort harmlessly over Paul Harrison’s crossbar.

In the 35th minute though, an effort from Dave Edwards almost crept in at the far post – the closest the Lakesiders had come to finding the target.

Down the other end, the impressive Ramsay made another important stop three minutes before the break, denying Clark a second of the night.

The Bala number one was at it again following the restart, as he tipped a Declan McManus header over the crossbar at full stretch. 

It was Paul Harrison who arguably made the best save of the match though. With 54 minutes gone, he pulled off a superb one-handed stop to keep out an acrobatic Will Evans effort, as the home side tried to get themselves back into the game.

But things went from bad to worse for Colin Caton’s team in minute 67, when the league leaders were awarded a penalty. It was a clumsy challenge from Ramsay on McManus which created the opportunity, and the Scottish striker made no mistake, as he stepped up to score from the spot.

And just a minute later, The Saints found the net again, after confusion amongst the Bala defence when a loose ball bounced around the penalty area. Jordan Williams was alert to the opening though and took advantage, as he bundled the ball across the line from close range.

At 4-0, Limbrick’s team were in complete control, and substitute, Adrian Cieslewicz, almost got in on the act with a chipped effort nine minutes later.

For all of their efforts, Chris Sang eventually grabbed the Lakesiders a late consolation goal in the 84th minute, but it could do nothing to prevent the three points from heading to Park Hall.

The New Saints return to action next Saturday (December 11), when they take on Barry Town United at Jenner Park.