Bala Town 0 AFC Telford United 0
AFC Telford United picked up their first clean sheet of pre-season with a goalless draw at Welsh Premier League side Bala Town.
After a 4-0 defeat to a full-strength Blackburn Rovers opened summer at the New Bucks Head on Saturday, it could only get easier at Maes Tegid.
Again and as promised, Telford manager Liam Watson changed all of his outfield players at half-time with both sides needing a decent work ethic to compete.
He said: "It was a decent game and very competitive, there were tackles flying in everywhere. I don't have a problem with that, it's the sort of test that we need.
"We didn't play anywhere near to what we are capable of, but we matched them all over the park and worked hard. That's all I am really after at this stage."
With the sides more evenly matched and Bala kicking off their preparations for the new campaign, Telford had to graft against the home side.
They started brightly with Sean Clancy a threat from set pieces, his free-kick sailing invitingly into the box in the 12th minute.
Defender Rod McDonald came up from the back for a header that was drifting into the net, before the Bala back-line scrambled to clear.
The Bucks struck the woodwork when Jordan Deacey's corner caused chaos and was nodded goal-wards by Mike Phenix, home custodian Ashley Morris pushing the ball onto the cross bar.
Appeals for a penalty then went unheeded, when Deacey was chopped down by former Telford defender Ryan Valentine came.
As they did against Blackburn, it was all change apart from goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge at the break. Bala brought on former Football League performer Kenny Lunt, Connall Murtagh and Mike Hayes.
Valentine came close against his former club with a shot that fizzed off target, while Andy Todd dragged an effort wide at the other end.
A cross from the left for Bala evaded everyone, including Hedge, who was saved by the crossbar. Ian Sheridan's effort also had the goalkeeper back-pedalling, before it sailed over.
The hosts spent period on top but Telford had enough chances towards the end to win the game, Sam Smith coming closest of all.
His rasping drive cannoned off the underside and bounced to safety, after good work from Sean Cooke had allowed him to pull the trigger.
