JD WELSH CUP
THE New Saints will take on Bala Town in the JD Welsh Cup final next month after a first-half brace from Josh Daniels proved enough for the Saints to see off Penybont in yesterday’s second semi-final in Carmarthen.
The TNS bus broke down on the way to the game and players had to take taxis from Swansea, but they booked their ticket for the final in comfortable style after that bumpy start to the day.
Daniels capitalised on a mistake by Dean Jefferies before easily beating goalkeeper Kelland Absalom for the opener on 32 minutes.
And the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international made the most an Absalom error to double the lead in first-half stoppage time.
Saints, who won the cup last season, will be aiming to lift the trophy for a ninth time when they face Bala on April 30.
It will be a repeat of the 2017 final, which Bala won 2-1 to secure the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history.
Colin Caton’s men beat Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-2 in the first semifinal on Friday night.
“Penybont are a tough team to play against,” said TNS goal hero Daniels. “We played them last week and it was 1-1 and they always give us good games.
“I haven’t scored many goals this year as I’ve been playing right-back but the gaffer told me to shoot more!
“I’m glad we got through and hopefully we can go on and win it.
“It will be my first Welsh Cup final so hopefully I can get some silverware at the end of it.”
The pedestrian nature of victory for Craig Harrison’s men was in stark contrast to a dramatic five-goal thriller between Bala and Connah’s Quay on Friday.
Bala’s hopes of securing an impressive cup double remain intact after skipper Chris Venables netted a late winner at Flint Town’s Essity Stadium.
The Lakesiders beat Nomads on penalties in the final of the Nathaniel MG Cup final at the end of January and it was another close fight.
Harry Franklin put Connah’s Quay ahead after just 40 seconds, but Nathan Peate responded for Bala seven minutes into the second half and they took the lead shortly after the restart through George Newell.
Jack Kenny drew the Nomads level on the hour, but Bala’s talisman Chris Venables had the final say – scoring with four minutes left on the clock to send the 2017 winners into the final.
Venables said after his winner:
“It was a disastrous start, but I thought we played really well for the remainder of the game.
“Emotions now are very high obviously. Any goal is a good goal, especially when it’s late on like that. It’s a very, very nice feeling.”