Bala Town 1-0 Chester

The Blues were defeated by Bala Town in their penultimate pre-season friendly at Maes Tegid.

Calum McIntyre’s side started brightly and nearly took the lead when Trialist was played in over the top by Kieran Coates, but fired his volley over the crossbar.

Kole Hall then showed good feet on 15 minutes to trick away from a Bala defender before seeing his low effort saved by Kelland Absalom.

Just after this a dangerous run down the right from Trialist saw his cutback cleared only as far as Joel Taylor – his shot deflected behind for a corner.

Two opportunities arrived for Iwan Murray before the interval. On 36 minutes a flowing Chester move ended with Coates crossing for the Welshman inside the box, however Absalom was equal to his effort. Then on the stroke of half time he was set to shoot by Hall – but the effort was saved by the ‘keeper.

Chester came flying out the blocks in the first moments of the second half after making a triple sub – Adam Thomas involved off the bench – before good play from Murray enabled Declan Weeks to clip in a cross which Taylor volleyed over.

Bala then started to threaten more as the game progressed and almost had an opener on the hour mark but for an excellent block by Liam Edwards.

Another counter ten minutes after presented another good opportunity, this time it was Matty Williams doing the defending to stand tall and then make a crucial block in front of the shot.

Wyll Stanway was called into action on 82 minutes, forced into a low save by Iwan Roberts. However he could do nothing about the winner on 88 minutes when Trialist E was played through on the break and managed to get his shot beyond Stanway and into the net to ensure victory for Bala in Kieran Smith’s testimonial.

Chester: Stanway, Coates (Thomas 46), Williams, Edwards (Burke 64), Heywood, Taylor, Trialist (Daly 46), Weeks, Earl (Caton 46), Murray, Hall.

Scorers: Trialist E 88.