The Northern and Southern finals of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup have been confirmed following this weekend’s regional semi-finals.
Llandudno were the first side to book their spot in the Northern final with a penalty shootout win over Prestatyn Town on Friday night after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes at Bastion Gardens.
Teenage sensation Fabrizio Murtas put the visitors ahead deep into first half stoppage time after turning home Harvey Bennett’s low cross, but Prestatyn debutant Carl Lamb found the leveller on the hour mark after heading home from Tom Hilditch’s pinpoint delivery.
Llandudno gained an early advantage in the shootout as Dan Holland calmly converted his spot-kick before Mike Jones, who joined Llandudno from Prestatyn at the beginning of January, denied Tom Hilditch.
However, Prestatyn goalkeeper Joe Lawlor produced a save of his own to keep out Ignacio Giampaoli’s penalty to allow Lamb to level the shootout and the next four takers for each side all scored as it went to sudden death.
In the seventh round of kicks, Rowan Davies remained calm under pressure for the visitors, before Jones denied Conor Davies to send Llandudno into the final.
Jordan Hadaway’s side will face Mold Alexandra for the Northern title after Danny Warren inspired the Flintshire side to a 5-1 win against Denbigh Town on Saturday.
Joe Ormrod opened the scoring for Alex before Josh Lock levelled for Denbigh in the 41st minute, but Mold hit back instantly through Warren’s header to take a lead into the break.
The Mold no.9 would complete his hat-trick with two goals in the first six minutes of the second half and Denbigh’s woes worsened when Ryan Kershaw received a straight red card on 68 minutes. There was still time for Warren’s fourth goal of the afternoon as he wrapped up an emphatic victory for Steve Monk’s side.
JD Cymru South title rivals Briton Ferry Llansawel and Llanelli Town will meet in the Southern final after triumphing in their respective semi-finals on Saturday afternoon.
Ferry emerged victorious in a seven-goal thriller against Ammanford, triumphing 4-3 at the Recreation Ground.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Tristan Jenkins, but Ferry had turned the tie around by the break courtesy of Tom Walters’ penalty and Kris Evans’ close range finish.
Ammanford completed a comeback of their own as they remarkably retook the lead in the opening six minutes of the second half with goals from Jenkins and Lewis Reed, but Ferry responded instantly as Walters scored an equaliser.
The winning goal arrived in the 82nd minute, with Luke Bowen coming off the bench to find the net for the 22ndtime this season and book Ferry’s place in the Southern final for the second consecutive season.
Llanelli will stand in their way of the title after Lee John’s side defeated Cambrian & Clydach Vale 2-1 at Stebonheath Park.
Reds captain Joe Hopkins broke the deadlock in the 14th minute and Cambrian’s task was made harder when midfielder Kyle Jones received a straight red card just before the half hour mark for a rash challenge which halted a counter attack. The hosts took full advantage as Sam Johnson added a second goal in first half stoppage time.
Despite Cam Army forward Liam Reed halving the deficit in the 80th minute, Llanelli held on to secure back-to-back home victories and book their place in the Southern final.
Both regional finals will take place on the weekend of 5-6 April at neutral venues to be confirmed in due course.
Welsh Blood Service League Cup regional semi-final results
Northern section
Prestatyn Town 1-1 Llandudno (5-6 on penalties)
Mold Alexandra 5-1 Denbigh Town
Southern section
Ammanford 3-4 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Llanelli Town 2-1 Cambrian & Clydach Vale
