Saints and Bala leave it late to book final tickets
THE Welsh Cup final, as widely expected, will be between holders The New Saints and Bala Town but both left it late in their semi finals before finally eclipsing Connah’s Quay and Alliance League Caernarfon Town.
For Bala it was an historic win after three previous semi final defeats and it was the influence of ageing striker Lee Hunt, who came on as a second half substitute, that turned the tide in the Lakesider’s favour.
The Canaries were chirping as they took the lead in the 25th minute as Stuart J Jones put through his own goal, after brilliant work by outstanding Darren Thomas. They held that advantage until 13 minutes from time when Hunt pounced and two goals in the final two minutes from Kieran Smith and Hunt, again, finally broke Caernarfon hearts.
“I’m over the moon,” said Bala’s long-serving manager Colin Caton. “It’s another reward and achievement for the record books and for the club to be proud of. I’m so proud of the lads. We have been training since early may because of our European involvement and they have been magnificent.
“Caernarfon and their supporters were a credit to their club and Welsh football. They are distraught and I know how they are going through,” he added.
When John Danby saved Chris Seargeant’s 68th minute penalty, The New Saints’ boss Craig Harrison must have wondered whether the Connah’s Quay hoodoo was going to strike again, following a recent 2-1 league defeat. However, minutes later Adrian Cieslewicz struck and two further goals, in a sparkling 11 minute period, from Aeron Edwards and brilliant Jamie Mullan wrapped up a comfortable 3-0 victory for the holders who are now chasing a fourth successive Welsh Cup triumph and a record breaking trebletreble domestic success.
Elated Cieslewicz said: “It was a great second half by us. It was a really tough match, as we knew it would be, but we stepped up a gear after the break and showed our class. When I had my terrible head injury earlier in the season I was told I might not be able to play football again, so I appreciate every minute on the pitch now and work all the harder.”