A brace from Jordan Evans inspired Bala Town to their first JD Welsh Premier League win in seven attempts after they defeated Newtown 3-1 at Latham Park.

Newtown welcomed Kieron Mills-Evans back in defence for the visit of the out of form Lakesiders – but generous Robins defending proved decisive and undermined their attempts of extending Bala’s torrid run.

Newtown’s defence were caught napping in the 12th-minute when Evans charged through on goal from deep to drive a low shot past Dave Roberts’ near post.

With the hosts in the ascendancy, 19-year-old Joe Kenton produced the spark of quality the Robins needed, cutting in from the flank before sending a crisp drive low into the bottom corner.

The rookie’s three goals in three starts and potential to hurt teams coming inside off the left flank will have no doubt been noted by Newtown manager Chris Hughes on a night where he might feel his side could have delivered more in attack.

Shortly after Kenton’s leveller, Latham Park was almost the scene of a genuine Goal of the Season contender when Jay Denny spotted Ashley Morris out of position from way out and launched a near-inch perfect lob, which sent Morris backpedalling to tip the ball gratefully over the bar for a corner.

Seemingly on a solid footing after enjoying more possession in the opening half, Newtown’s game plan was derailed by Bala Town in the space of two second-half minutes.

Moments after Jordan Evans rocketed a shot against the frame of the goal, Mike Hayes peeled away from Mills-Evans to latch onto Nathan Burke’s speculative lofted pass and held off his marker to thump a powerful half-volley into the net.

The killer goal would arrive just two minutes later as Jordan Evans curled a lowly-struck free-kick around the Newtown wall into the far corner of the net.

Newtown, looking to play their way back into the game, were unconvincing in their efforts to truly threaten Bala’s two-goal advantage with Colin Caton’s men keen to see the game out and claim a much-needed three points.

Newtown AFC 1 Joe Kenton 28′
Bala Town 3 Jordan Evans 12′ 59′ Mike Hayes 58′
Newtown AFC
1. David Jones, 19. T.Craig Williams, 3. Ryan Sears, 5. Kieran Mills-Evans, 15. Jamie Price, 6. Jay Denny, 18. Ryan Kershaw, 7. Neil Mitchell (11. James Murphy 82′), 2. Joe Kenton, 8. Nick Rushton, 10. Jamie Reed (9. Luke Boundford 71′)
Subs not used: 24. Iwan Cartwright, 16. Gavin Cadwallader, 13. Jack Perry (gk), 25. Will Evans
Red Cards: None
Yellow Cards: Sears 55′

Bala Town
1. Ashley Morris, 4. Stuart Jones, 5. Stuart J Jones, 29. Lee Owens, 6. Conall Murtagh, 27. David Thompson, 8. Nathan Burke, 18. Jordan Evans (17. Glenn Rule 89′), 9. Mike Hayes, 10. Ian Sheridan, 12. Les Davies
Subs not used: 23. Craig Vernon (gk), 2. Ryan Valentine, 15. Will Bell
Red Cards: None
Yellow Cards: Sheridan 60′
Attendance: 230 Referee: Nick Pratt

Up next:
21st Oct Bala Town v Barry Town
21st Oct Cardiff Met v Newtown

Featured image courtesy of Newtown AFC / Welsh Premier League