Bala Town 2 Aberystwyth Town 1
Principality Welsh Premier League Play-off Conference
At Maes Tegid
Kick-off: 7-30 pm
Admission: £6; Programme: £1-50 (36 pages)
Mileage: 91.9 miles (89.5 + 2.4 before car broke down)
Attendance: 223
Weather: mild and dry
Duration: first-half: 46:24; second-half: 48:35
I really enjoyed the drive particularly the stretch on the B4391 between Penybonyfawr and Bala itself. Inside the ground I didn’t expect so many Welsh speakers and for the PA man to make announcements first in Welsh and second in English. On the field, Bala took the lead through Mark Connolly in the 32nd minute direct from a 28-yard right foot free-kick that flew into the top-right corner. But the visitors levelled things up just before the interval. Connolly scored direct from another 28-yard free-kick in the 67th minute to restore Bala’s lead which they held until the final whistle. A daylight visit is recommended to take the views of the surrounding area and hills, and the ground has been improved in recent times with a new stand holding seats obtained from Shrewsbury Town’s old Gay Meadow (going by the STFC stickers). On the way home around 3 miles north of Bala on the A494 , the clutch on my car failed and I didn’t get home until 3 am with the help of a recovery truck sent by the AA. Never mind, at least the car did the decent thing and broke down after the match!
Bala Town (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Terry McCormick, 2. John Irving, 3. Owain Roberts, 4. Danny Williams (capt), 5. Shaun Kelly, 6. Ross Jefferies, 7. Mark Connelly, 8. Mark Jones, 9. Chris Mason, 10. Michael Hayes, 11. Ryan Marriott. Subs: 12. Gethin Edwards (for Mason, 90), 14. Steve Morrison (for Marriott, 85), 15. Mark Powell (not used).
Aberystwyth Town (green/green/white): 1. Steven Cann, 2. Conall Murtagh, 3. Michael Howard, 4. Aneurin Thomas, 5. James McCarten, 6. Anthony Finselbach, 7. Ricky Evans, 8. Bari Morgan (capt), 9. Lewis Codling, 10. Ashley Stott, 11. Adam Pepper. Subs: 12. Craig Williams (not used), 14. Steff Edwards (for Pepper, 69), 15. Cledan Davies (for Evans, 81).
Referee: Matt Bridges.
Assistants: Gareth Jones and J. B. Brookes.
Fourth Official: Mick Pratt.
Goals:
1-0 Mark Connolly (32)
1-1 Ashley Stott (42)
2-1 Mark Connolly (67)
