JD PREMIER/WELSH CUP

CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS booked their place in the JD Welsh Cup final after Aron Williams struck in the 90th minute to settle a scrappy semi-final clash with Bala Town 1-0 at Llandudno.

Williams converted Luca Hugan’s squared ball after a bit of individual brilliance from Harry Franklin had set up the chance.

Moments earlier Bala had been reduced to 10 men when Kieran Smith was given a second booking for bringing down Franklin.

Nomads boss Neil Gibson, pictured, was pleased to see his players respond having lost three league games on the bounce leading into their cup semi.

“I’m really pleased, for the players and the staff more than anything,” he said.

“We started out the season with some targets in mind; we wanted to get ourselves to a final and try and win a trophy – and we want to get ourselves into Europe. It’s been difficult for the players over the past couple of weeks, as the performances and results haven’t been what they’ve been all season – and it’s amazing how quickly things turn and people forget how well they’ve done all season. But we don’t, we as staff back the players all week.”

Gibson’s side will face the winners of the other semi-final between holders The New Saints and Cardiff Met, which is being played at Newtown next Saturday. Rodney Parade is the venue for this season’s final on April 28.

Cardiff Met warmed up for their showdown with TNS by picking up a league 2-1 victory at Caernarfon Town in the Cymru Premier’s Championship Conference.

Two goals inside the opening 15 minutes at the Oval ultimately proved decisive and put an end to the Archers’ run of 10 games league without a win.

Met were given the perfect start only five minutes in through Chris Craven. That lead was doubled on 13 minutes through Sam Jones who scored with a diving header. Zack Clarke pulled one back for Caernarfon on 84 minutes but Met held on for a morale-boosting and timely win.