Osebi Abadaki's late goal earned Bala Town a hard-fought 1-0 win over Penrhyncoch at Cae Baker on Tuesday evening. The 78th-minute strike settled a tight contest where the Lakesiders dominated but were repeatedly frustrated by stubborn defending and their own misfortune.
Abadaki found the net after being set up by substitute Okera Simmonds, who had only just entered the fray. The goal was a relief for a Bala side that had seen Mike Hayes have a goal ruled out for offside and hit the woodwork three times during the match. Goalkeeper La-trell Jones had a quiet night, not being forced into a single save as his team controlled territory, especially in the first half playing down the slope.
Squad stretched thin
The victory was achieved despite a significant injury crisis. Manager Colin Caton had only three substitutes available, with six first-team players ruled out. The situation was compounded when defender Tomas Jones was involved in a car accident on his way to the match, though he escaped unharmed. Tom Kelly was the other substitute used as Caton shuffled his limited options. The full extent of the team's availability can be seen on our squad page, while the latest updates on player fitness are on the injuries list.
The three points are vital for Bala's league campaign, moving them to 18 points from eight games and keeping them third in the FAW Championship. They remain just three points behind leaders Brickfield Rangers. This result provided a positive response after a heavy 5-2 defeat to Denbigh Town in their previous outing, a game where Nathan Burke and Jordan Owen were on the scoresheet. The team's recent form, which includes scoring an average of 2.5 goals per game over their last four matches, is detailed in our comprehensive stats section. You can also see how this result affects the title race by checking the latest standings.
Bala Town now turn their attention to a home match at Maes Tegid this Saturday, where they will host fifth-placed Mold Alexandra. The full schedule for the upcoming fixtures is available on our site.
Background and full detail: Cambrian News
