Tuesday football round-up

A sole Kenny Lunt goal secured Bala’s ninth Welsh Premier League win in a row as the Lakesiders continue to build almost unstoppable momentum ahead of the end-of-season play-offs.

The game won’t go in to the record books as a thriller, but the hosts won’t care as they continue their incredible run since going down 6-3 to Gap Connah’s Quay in the final match before the mid-season split that ended their chance of a place in the Championship for the second half of the season.

With 15 minutes left, Lunt beat the offside trap as well as visiting ‘keeper Mike Lewis for what turned out to be the winner.

It could have been different though. Glyndwr Hughes, making his 375^th and final appearance for the Seasiders, had a chance from six yards out after Ashley Morris had saved from Mark Jones, but blazed over.

They also had a goal ruled out for offside and hit the crossbar in the dying moments, but Bala held on to end the visitors’ season with a defeat.

There was also plenty of Welsh League action, where Haverfordwest County got their Division One promotion challenge back on track with an 8-0 whitewashing away at struggling Tata Steel.

Steffan Williams netted a hat-trick to help his side along, while Ritchie Lewis scored a brace and Lee Bevan, Rob Morgans and an own goal compounded a terrible evening for the hosts, who are all but relegated as a result as the teams around them all have games in hand.

The victory leaves the Bluebirds fourth, tied on 46 points with Cambrian & Clydach and AFC Porth, and just three points behind current leaders Taffs Well.

Second placed West End missed the chance of going top after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Barry Town. A Nickie Jones penalty cancelled out the hosts’ opener, while they also hit the bar twice as they chased an away win.

Bridgend Town also continued their mini revival at the bottom with a 2-1 win at Pontardawe Town.

In Division Two, both Croesyceiliog and Goytre netted five times at home to Caldicot Town and away at Ely Rangers respectively. Caerau Ely also won by the odd-goal-in-seven, winning 4-3 at Briton Ferry.

In the Huws Gray Cup semi-final, Caersws beat Llandudno 2-0 to set up a final clash with Conwy Borough, while Llanrhaeadr picked up a point at the bottom of the table as they held Guilsfield to a 0-0 draw at home.

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Defending Champs Guilsfield no match for in form Rhyl

The first round of the Huws Gray Cup saw defending Champions Guilsfield travelling to inform Rhyl, but the holders had no answer to the league leaders, going down 6-1.

Undoubtedly, the day belonged to Rhyl frontman Jason Oswell, who claimed a first half hat-trick with Stef Halewood, Chris Melia and Paul Mooney also finding the target.

The visitors’ only goal of the clash came from a Will Thomas strike on 16 minutes.

Defending League Champions Gap Connahs Quay left it late to secure their place in the second round of the Cup. Mike Robinson found the net in the 85^th minute to down a spirited Llandudno side, that took the lead in the 39^th minute through a Lee Jones penalty but five minutes later, Gap slotted home their own spot kick thanks to Rob Jones.

Meanwhile, Penrhyncoch needed extra time to see off Ruthin Town at Cae Barker.

The visitors took the lead on 70 minutes thanks to a Kevin Garland strike, but Josh Shaw levelled for the Roosters in the 80^th minute before going on to seal his side’s win with only five minutes of extra time remaining.

Porthmadog picked up the biggest win of the day, demolishing Llanrhaedr 7-0 at the Recreation Field.

Port struck four times before the interval through Ryan Williams, Mark Evans, Craig Roberts and Darren Thomas. Evans bagged a brace just before full time to add to a Rhys Roberts second half double.

Elsewhere, Buckley Town easily overcame Rhos Aelwyd 3-0, Cefn Druids won at Conwy United 2-1 and Penycae safely progressed thanks to a 3-2 home victory over Llangefni Town.

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