Bala Town boosted their JD Cymru Premier survival hopes with a crucial 1-0 win over Haverfordwest County at Maes Tegid on Saturday.
Lassana Mendes produced some neat work on the ball to find Jacob Tarasenko, who delivered a perfectly weighted low cross into in-form striker Cameron Ferguson, who steered home into the top corner from close range to give Bala the lead three minutes before half-time.
Haverfordwest nearly found a late equaliser through Owain Jones, but his dipping shot from outside the area was tipped onto the post by Joel Torrance. The Lakesiders saw out the closing stages to earn their first win in two months, which leaves Steve Fisher’s side five points adrift of safety with three games remaining.
Defeat for Haverfordwest meant Briton Ferry Llansawel moved top of the Play-Off Conference thanks to their goalless draw against Flint Town United at The Renewable Centre Stadium on Saturday.
JD Cymru Premier
Ferry had chances from close range to open the scoring in the first half, but Jack Flint made crucial saves to deny Ollie Anderson and Ricky-Lee Owen. A misjudgement from Silkmen captain Harry Owen presented Anderson with another glorious opportunity, but his first-time effort was saved by Flint.
Darren Stephenson nearly grabbed a late winner for the visitors, but his header from Ben Hughes’ cross forced Will Fuller into a brilliant reflex save. Ferry are top of the Play-Off Conference on goal-difference, while Flint drop down to 10th-place – five points clear of the relegation zone.
Colwyn Bay strengthened their position in third place with an impressive 2-0 win over champions The New Saints at Park Hall on Friday.
Bay took the lead with 24 minutes on the clock as defender Lewis Sirrell met George Hughes’ free-kick and sent a looping header over Jack Edwards and into the far corner for his first league goal since September. Things got even better for the Seagulls three minutes later as Edwards was shown a straight red card for his apparent challenge on Jordan Davies from outside the area.
Bay took full advantage of Edwards’ dismissal and doubled their lead on 34 minutes as Saints failed to clear Jamie Cumming’s cross, allowing Davies to connect with the loose ball and fire beyond substitute goalkeeper Bryn Owen.
Dominic Corness’ powerful strike from distance and Jordan Williams’ low first-time effort were both denied by the post in the second half as the frustration mounted up for the hosts. Bay held on to claim their fourth win of the Championship Conference and their first ever victory over TNS.
Rhys Hughes scored a stoppage time winner to give Connah’s Quay Nomads a dramatic 2-1 victory over Penybont at the Essity Stadium on Saturday.
The Nomads made a dream start and took the lead after just four minutes played as Max Woodcock got in front of Mael Davies and headed home from Marco Fregapane’s cross for his fourth goal of the season.
Ethan Cann’s low volley struck the post for Bont in the second half, but the visitors eventually made their pressure count as Alexander Cvetkovic’s low drive crept into the bottom corner, beyond the reach of Cymru U21 international Kit Margetson.
Nomads substitute Jack Kenny was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball challenge with Davies in stoppage time, but that dismissal did not faze the Nomads, in particular Rhys Hughes, who ran half the pitch and slotted past Archie Matthews to give John Disney’s side back-to-back wins in the Championship Conference.
Cardiff Met ended their 10-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over already-relegated Llanelli Town at Stebonheath on Friday.
Met found the breakthrough nine minutes before half-time as Barnaby Soady’s free-kick on the right hand side sailed through everybody and deflected into the net.
Llanelli were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute as Tristan Jenkins was fouled by Soady inside the area, allowing Danny Williams to step up and fire home the equaliser, sending Ewan Griffiths the wrong way in the process.
However, Met restored their lead just six minutes later as Jasper Payne played a short pass to Fumpa Mwandwe, whose driven strike deflected off James Lester and found a way beyond the outwitted Alex Pennock. The Archers held on to claim a crucial victory, which keeps them five points clear of the relegation zone with three games remaining.
Barry Town United secured their third straight home win with a 2-1 victory over Caernarfon Town at Jenner Park thanks to Ollie Hulbert’s brace.
Dan Smith came agonisingly close to giving Barry the lead at the start of the second half when his first-time strike from Mikey George’s cross was denied by post. However, the hosts did not have to wait much longer for the opening goal as substitute Ellis Williams went on a solo run into the final third and found Hulbert, who fired into the bottom corner.
Hulbert doubled his and Barry’s advantage in the 84th minute as he met Robbie Willmott’s cross and guided his header into the net via the post to bag his ninth league goal of the season.
Caernarfon found a late lifeline as Kyle Harrison nodded in from Darren Thomas’ corner, but it was too late for the Cofis to complete a comeback as Barry moved up to fourth in the table.
Weekend results in full:
Llanelli Town 1-2 Cardiff Met
The New Saints 0-2 Colwyn Bay
Barry Town United 2-1 Caernarfon Town
Briton Ferry Llansawel 0-0 Flint Town United
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-1 Penybont
Bala Town 1-0 Haverfordwest County
