JD WELSH CUP
HOLDERS The New Saints remain on course to retain the JD Welsh Cup after coming from behind to beat Briton Ferry Llansawel 5-1 and reach another semi-final.
Ferry, currently top of JD Cymru South, took a shock lead four minutes into the second half courtesy of Thomas Walters’ superb strike.
But TNS hit back on 63 minutes when Ben Clark volleyed home a leveller and they were ahead eight minutes later when Declan McManus turned home Ryan Brobbel’s ball to the far post.
Provider then turned goalscorer on 78 minutes with Brobbel tucking home from Jordan Williams’ ball in from the right in what was almost a carbon copy of the previous goal.
McManus grabbed his second on 88 minutes, firing home from a tight angle, before Brad Young added a fifth for TNS in added time.
It’s now 22 consecutive victories in all competitions for TNS as they continue to chase down their own 27-game Guinness World Record.
Last season’s beaten finalists and 2017 cup winners Bala Town are now just one win away from another final.
That is after they beat Flint Mountain 3-0 at Maes Tegid, ending the Ardal League North West side’s fairytale run in the competition this season.
The visitors, who currently ply their trade two divisions below the Cymru Premier, were the lowest ranked side left in the competition.
And they were given even more of a mountain to climb after seven minutes when Naim Arsan was allowed a free run to steer home an arrowed cross from the right from Luke Wall to put Bala ahead.
The Lakesiders doubled their lead seven minutes before the break with Wall once again the provider, crossing for George Newell to head home.
Flint were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes remaining after Rob Hughes was sent off for a second booking. Six minutes later it was game over with Newell grabbing his second and Wall completing a hat-trick of assists.
Joining them in the hat for the last four are 2018 Welsh Cup winners Connah’s Quay Nomads, who ran out comfortable 4-1 winners at JD Cymru North side Buckley Town.
Jordan Davies slotted home an opener for the visitors after 24 minutes before Declan Pooler’s cross was headed home by Harry Franklin on 36 minutes to double their lead.
Ryan Harrington smashed in a third five minutes after the break before Max Moore pulled one back for the hosts on 61 minutes.
But any hopes Buckley had of a revival were quickly dashed just moments later when Jack Kenny scored a fourth for the visitors.
And in the only all-Cymru Premier last eight tie, Lewis Rees’ 81st minute winner sent Cardiff Met University through after eventually overcoming Colwyn Bay 3-2.
In a game that went one way, then the other, then back again, Sam Jones slotted an opener for the Archers on 14 minutes.
Dan Jones levelled matters four minutes before the break for the Seagulls who then took the lead on 62 minutes through Udi Akpan.
It was also square again nine minutes later when Jones grabbed his and Met’s second before Rees’ goal settled it.