Football: Bala Town edge out Denbigh Town in cup semi

Apr 18 2008 By Dave Jones

BALA TOWN 2 DENBIGH TOWN 1

CYMRU ALLIANCE LEAGUE CUP SEMI- FINAL

GETHIN Lloyd’s 70th minute corker sealed holders Bala a place in the League Cup final at the expense of an heroic Denbigh side which lost its second semi of the season.

An evenly matched tie at Llandudno saw its first goal on nine minutes when Neil Fisher latched on to a long raking ball and rounded keeper Jamie Hulse before firing home from an acute angle.

Denbigh regained their composure and almost grabbed an equaliser when Darren Cassidy’s low ripper was parried by Bala glovesman Paul Evans and the ball was finally hacked to safety by Wes Brereton with in-form Luke O’Mahoney seeking a tap-in.

Tim Dyer’s side won a penalty when Mike Lundstram was chopped down when about to shoot after a superb Jamie Hobson free-kick created havoc in the Lakesiders’ box.

Up stepped the normally reliable Kenny Burgess but the moan could be heard across the gloaming as his effort ballooned high over the bar.

Not to be deterred, Denbigh equalised on the half hour. A corner was curled over by O’Mahoney and Lundstram stroked the ball home first time from the flick down off the head of Mark Orme.

Next Tony Davies planted a header wide after superb play between Lundstram and Kevin Evans as Denbigh sought a half-time lead.

The second stanza had a lot to live up to in terms of quality and entertainment, but never quite reached the heights of the first 45.

Colin Caton’s men earned a controversial penalty when Jonny Bowen was cruelly adjudged to have brought down his man in the box and, to add insult to injury, he was cautioned.

But the football gods were watching and Huw Price’s well-struck penalty pinged a post, struck Hulse, then landed at the feet of Warren Duckett five yards out. His shot took two deflections before finding the body of Hulse who gratefully grasped the ball to his bosom. Sweet justice and an exciting passage of play.

But Bala were not to be denied and it was from a corner kick that Caton's men regained a vital lead.

On 70 minutes Lloyd took advantage of an Orme slip, turned his man and fired beautifully into the top left corner for the goal of the game.

Lundstram almost grabbed parity, the wide man rising highest to a Burgess cross, but the Denbigh contingent were in agony to see his firm header inch just wide with keeper Evans beaten.

Bala were now playing down the clock and with the ball simply refusing to fall to a Denbigh toe, absorbed everything a tired Town side could throw at them and held on for victory and a meeting with either GAP Queens Park or Mynydd Isa in the final.