Dafabet Welsh Premier

Haverfordwest County 0

Bala Town 2

THE Bluebirds played with plenty of heart and skill but were edged out by a Bala side who were always a degree sharper and who deserved their win, writes Robert Nisbet.

On the Tuesday night the Blues had made the long trek up to play TNS in the Word Cup and, while their battling display there held the champions to a 3-1 scoreline, the effort may have taken its toll since in the Bala game the home side lacked just an edge of their usual sharpness. Likewise they were contending with the unavailability of their central defenders, Sam Rodon and Dale Griffiths. In the event the back four played extremely well but Bala’s two goals were scored in that opening quarter when the re-jigged defence was settling in.

The early exchanges showed just the slightest bias in Bala’s favour but while at one end a Declan Carroll shot flew over and a Ricky Watts cross just evaded Luke Borrelli, the two corresponding attacks for Bala saw their resourceful striker Mark Connolly exploiting gaps in the Blues defence to give the Lakesiders the 2-goal platform they were to keep. The Blues could mount little reply before half-time other than another Watts cross which Steffan Williams diverted just wide.

Once again the Bluebirds came out after half-time firing anew. They forced a corner immediately and after two other corners five minutes later, first Jordan Follows and then Carroll tested keeper Morris. But at the other end Connolly scuffed a shot wide, Kieran Smith hit the bar, and Scott James made a fine reflex save. The game settled to a pattern which showed the Blues doing sixty per cent of the attacking but Bala creating just as many good chances in their breaks.

Jack Christopher, whose heading on and down kept the Lakesiders’ defence stretched all afternoon, put John Roberts in but the flying medic shot just over. A Watts run forced a corner and Spencer Williams shot over. Christopher got to a Ryan Batley throw and headed just wide.

But all the time there was the threat from the quickly-breaking Bala attackers and the Blues had finally to accept defeat in a game with a high-quality side and in which their own vital edge was just slightly dulled.

The Ball Sponsor was AS Harries, accountant, and the Programme Sponsor was The Victoria Bookshop. The Hospitality Suite was taken buy Allan and Mandy Thomas.

This Saturday the Blues travel to play The New Saints before they return to the Conygar Bridge Meadow on Saturday, November 7 to play Newtown, kick-off 2.30pm.

Haverfordwest County: Scott James, Ricky Watts, Ryan Batley, Sean Pemberton, Spencer Williams, Greg Walters, Luke Borrelli ( Jordan Follows 56'), Steffan Williams ( Glen Fetini 75'), Kieran Howard (John Roberts 51'), Jack Christopher, Declan Carroll.

Subs not used: Aiden Rainbow, Alfie Stottor.