The Lakesiders suffered late agony as TNS completed acomeback to take all three points at Park Hall as our unbeaten run came to a painful end.
It was the second time this season Bala had led at Park Hall thanks to a Chris Venables opener before TNS turned around the scores to snatch a win. Both in similar fashion, with the same painful result for Bala who came close once again to taking home at least a point from the league leaders.
TNS dominated the opening exchanges, but it was Bala who took the lead thanks to the captain who had the killer instinct in the box to fire home a spilled shot. Similar to our last outing at Park Hall, Bala held on to our lead up until Ryan Brobbel was back to haunt us with another goal through individual brilliance. It was then Chris Marriott’s turn to score a heartbreaking goal as he drove home the winner from range in the dying minutes of the match.
Brobbel rattles the bar
TNS were on the front foot from the off with their eyes firmly on setting up a title deciding match on Saturday. A free-kick fromBrobbel on the edge of the area went narrowly close to handing them an early lead. The crossbar was there to deny him however with his effort havingalready beaten Alex Ramsay in net.
Lakesiders defend courageously
Time went on and TNS upped the ante with more aggression with every attack. They struggled to find a way through the Bala backline who denied the league leaders with each opening. Calum Woods with a daring challenge blocked Brobbel’s shot who had the entire goal to aim at in a golden chance for TNS.
Ramsay was then forced to use his feet to deny top goal scorer Declan McManus with a reflex save that prevented the Saints once more.
Venables hands us a surprise lead
With a rare attack, the Lakesiders took the lead through none other than the captain himself. Ollie Shannon made it through trying his luck from range. His powerful effort forced Paul Harrison’s into spilling his shot with Venables pouncing in the box to tap us into the lead heading into half-time.
Following the break, TNS continued their aggressive approach as they threw everything at Bala. Some more fearless defending was on show to deny them. Nathan Peate pulling off a gutsy block throwing his body on the line to prevent McManus a goal early into the second-half.
Brobbel back to haunt Lakesiders
For all Bala had to prevent TNS a leveller, Brobbel was there to provide just what TNS required just when they needed it most. A moment of individual brilliance by the midfielder once again against the Lakesidersas he took the ball down in the area, turned, and scored with his strike to bring the league leaders level.
Marriot strikes a late winner
Colin Caton’s men then looked settled for a point as we looked to take at least something from Park Hall with our last visit still fresh on the players minds. Yet it was agony again for the Lakesiders as TNS replicated that last showing with another comeback victory. Marriott hitting home a fabulous effort from range to snatch the three points in the last-minute of the game.
Harrison’s heroics prevents further late drama
Bala did look to draw level with one last desperate attack in added-time and it looked as if Peate was providing further late drama if it wasn't for the post.
Another heart-breaking result for the Lakesiders at Park Hall as we came close, once again, to obtaining a rare result at the home of the league leaders. Yet with that result we remain in second, unable to extend our gap on Penybont in third who will be taking on TNS themselves on Saturday.
The Lakesiders will now look to bounce back with a win on Friday night againt Flint Town with kick-off set for 7:45 pm at Maes Tegid.
Match Stats:
Bala Town - Alex Ramsay, Calum Woods, Antony Kay, Nathan Peate, Sean Smith, Lassana Mendes, Kieran Smith, Will Evans, Ollie Shannon, Dave Edwards, Chris Venables
TNS – Paul Harrison, Chris Marriott, Keston Davies, Ryan Astles, Alex Denny, Leo Smith, Daniel Davies, Ryan Brobbel, Daniel Redmond, Jordan Williams, Declan McManus
Substitutions:
Bala Town – Paul Rutherford > Lassana Mendes (45)
TNS – Adrian Cieslewicz > Leo Smith (66), Louis Robles > Alex Denny (84)
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