Midway through the tie and three nil down was tough enough odds for Bala Town, however a game plan that disrupted any rhythm to the sport of football meant a next to impossible task for Clin Caton’s men.
A strong start provided a false sense of hope as a flurry of crosses into the box put Tre Fiori on the backfoot from the off – but the tall defence were more than up to the task.
A change in play in the second half offered an influx of free-flowing football as the fatigued visitors struggled to cope with the pace of the introduced Steven Tames while both Kieran and Sean Smith provided a constant outlet.
Nathan Burke provided a glimmer of hope as his fancy footwork in the 18-yard box allowed him to slot comfortably past Giorgio Pizzolato.
His late finish was not enough to spark a comeback as Bala crashed out of the Europa League before the competition had even truly begun.
While one side arrived at the Belle Vue with dreams of sparking what could have been an epic fightback, another looked to disrupt the play from the opening minute.
The low borders of the stadium allowed the Fiori players to clear the limited number of footballs high and far halting any building momentum.
Several crosses following the impressive build up play down the right hand between Ian Sheridan and Sean Smith provided a valuable outlet for delivery but with no talisman in the box it was easy for the tall defensive visitors to clear.
This theme continued throughout the opening half until K.Smith found space inside the box to flash the ball across goal in the best chance of the first half.
Despite the lack of success, Bala continued with their aerial attempts and it almost cost the Welsh side further as Fiori forced Ashley Morris to his first and best save of the match as he palmed the ball away.
Frustration began to take hold of the home players as the antics of the visitors caused disruption amongst play and outrage within the stadium.
As the half-time whistle went, the need for a change in tactic was vital and Caton’s men re-emerged with focus and intent as the home defence shrugged off a momentary attack from the Fiori forward line.
A well worked corner turned sour quickly as Matteo Cecchetti’s men burst forward for their first attack of the second period but before they could threaten Alessandro Teodorani falls to the floor despite minimal contact - resulting in outcry from the Bala faithful.
The Welsh outfit did their best to not be drawn into mind games and remained intent on finding a way back into the tie but just as they looked like finding their rhythm, in the hustle and bustle of a corner kick Pizzolato was left in a heap on the floor much to the surprise of the players around him.
Following minutes of treatment, the no.1 was quick to try to resume play with a long ball to his forward men; despite the official not being on the pitch.
The introduction of Steven Tames changed the outlook of the match as his work rate up and down the pitch provided the missing link in the final third, although he was becoming a target for the San Marino side.
Despite every attempt to hold back the home side, Nathan Burke punished Fiori for careless defending as following some neat footwork he slotted home sparking a possible revival for Bala with ten minutes left on the clock.
With nearly every man forward and time slipping away, Pizzolato continued his antics once more although this time official Kirstoffer Hagenes saw through his attempts to disrupt play and issued a deserved yellow card.
Several chances followed in the last few minutes but Bala struggled to find a clear-cut opportunity with the visitors defending on high alert.
As the final whistle was blown, ecstasy erupted from the visiting bench while The Lakesiders crumbled to the floor in despair – despite a hard-fought victory, their efforts to reduce the deficit were in vein and their Europa League adventure ends before it had even begun,
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