Aberystwyth Town reached the Nathaniel MG Cup final for the first time in their history as they triumphed over Cardiff City on penalties at Park Avenue on Saturday.
The Seasiders had taken the lead in the game when they were awarded a penalty shortly before half-time for a bizarre error by Cardiff defender Dylan Lawlor.
Bluebirds goalkeeper Jake Dennis took a short goal kick to Lawlor, who presumed the ball was merely being passed to him so he could take the kick himself. He picked the ball up and referee Bryn Markham-Jones pointed to the spot, with Niall Flint firing home from 12 yards.
That looked set to book Aber’s place in the final, but Cardiff found an equaliser in the 90th minute to send the tie to penalties. Troy Perrett played a neat one-two with Will Spiers before finishing past Dave Jones at the goalkeeper’s near post.
Jones would redeem himself in the shootout though, saving efforts from Luey Giles and Spiers to allow Aber teenager Devon Torry to score the winning spot-kick and send the home support into raptures. The Seasiders may be bottom of the JD Cymru Premier, but they are now just one game away from silverware.
“I said to the boys before the game, these chances don’t come around often,” Aber boss Antonio Corbisiero said. “You’ve got to enjoy the moment when you’re in it. Fair play to my players, they were outstanding today. I thought they worked so hard, pressed hard, they were together out there. I’m very proud of the boys.”
Aber will be eagerly awaiting their opponents in the final, with Barry Town United and The New Saints to meet in the second semi-final at Jenner Park on Sunday (KO 17:45). The final will be played on the weekend of 28 February – 2 March.
