Bala in Welsh Cup semi-final

BALA Town broke down the resistance of Briton Ferry Llansawel to progress to the last four of the JD Welsh Cup.

The Cymru South side had done well to keep the score level in the first half, but found themselves undone by two goals in three minutes just after the hour mark.

Bala skipper Chris Venables broke the deadlock with an acrobatic effort and Adam Roscrow doubled the advantage when his header trickled into the bottom corner.

Ferry’s hopes of hitting back were hindered when Connor Goldsworthy was given a red card for a foul on Luke Wall.

The Lakesiders’ win continued their excellent knockout competition form, having won the Nathaniel MG Cup the previous week.

Jack Kenny’s sixth-minute goal launched Connah’s Quay Nomads to a 5-0 home win over Airbus UK Broughton.

Harry Franklin doubled the lead before George Horan and Joe Malkin also got on the scoresheet.

Holders The New Saints were forced to battle at JD Cymru South outfit Cwmbran Celtic before taking a 3-1 win.

Celtic went a goal down when Ryan Brobbel netted in the 13th minute. But they levelled a minute later through Josh Rippon.

It stayed at 1-1 into the second half, but Brobbel struck with a penalty and six minutes later he completed his hat-trick.

Nathan Wood broke the hearts of Holywell Town with a 96th-minute penalty to send Penybont to the semi-finals.

Dan Andrews gave the JD Cymru North side a dream start with a goal after only 10 minutes as he chipped the goalkeeper.

And with keeper Keighan Jones in inspired form, they were good value for their interval lead against last season’s beaten finalists. The home side had to dig deep to find an equaliser and it came just before the hour mark when Lewis Harling headed home at the far post.

The tie seemed destined to go to a shootout, but referee Huw Jones awarded the home side a penalty deep into added time and Wood stole the glory with his spot-kick.

The results mean that four of the current top five in the JD Cymru Premier are in the Cup semi-finals.