Cofis delight at facing Bala
Lakesiders in way of final spot
CAERNARFON Town manager Iwan Williams is delighted to have drawn Bala Town in the Welsh Cup semi-finals, reports Paul Evans.
The Canaries are to meet the Welsh Premier high-flyers at a neutral venue next month as both clubs aim to reach their first-ever Welsh Cup final.
Town secured their first semifinal berth in 29 years in some style with a 7-0 win at fellow Huws Gray Alliance side Llanfair United last Saturday.
After the draw for the last four was announced, a delighted Cofis boss said: “For me personally it was the draw I wanted.”
Williams added: “I have a lot of friends at Bala and have a good relationship with Colin Caton and especially his assistant Stephen Fisher, who used to play for Caernarfon.
“We know we’ll be up against it, but when you reach the semi-final of a major competition the games are always going to be tough, and you only have to look at the other three teams remaining in it to see that as they occupy the top three places in the Welsh Premier League.
“We’re under no illusions of how difficult the task will be but we’ll do everything we can to give ourselves a chance of causing another upset.”
Last Saturday’s hosts Llanfair had knocked out WPL side Cefn Druids in the previous round, but they were outclassed by the Canaries.
Town took a fifth-minute lead when Jamie Breese’s shot was cleared off the line, but Gareth Edwards managed to rise above his marker to head the ball past keeper Chris Brown.
The visitors made it 2-0 in the 12th minute as Kevin Lloyd arrived late in the six-yard area to lash in an excellent low cross from Danny Sullivan.
Number three arrived in the 24th minute. Nathan Craig’s free kick in the centre circle found Edwards at the far post and the big defender finished well to complete his brace.
Llanfair went close on a couple of occasions before the break, but three minutes into the second period Breese latched onto a poor clearance from a Craig corner and netted from close range.
Breese soon sprinted past two defenders on the way into the area and finished comfortably past Brown.
The Canaries added two further goals, Darren Thomas and Clive Williams putting the finishing touches to a remarkable victory for the visitors.