Airbus UK Broughton reached the Northern final of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup with a 3-2 win away at JD Cymru North title rivals Colwyn Bay on Friday night.
Bay currently have a four-point lead over Airbus at the top of the league table but it was the Wingmakers – who have a game in hand – who found the opener in this cup tie as Jordan Evans’ superb ball over the top found Danny Warren who slotted home in the 15th minute.
The hosts levelled just before the half hour mark as Craig Lindfield cut the ball back for Jamie Cumming to finish on the volley, but Airbus restored their lead three minutes into the second half when Warren’s shot from the edge of the box beat Rhys Williams.
The Wingmakers had a two-goal cushion in the 74th minute as Oli Lanceley flicked the ball into the path of Jamie Davies who finished coolly.
Craig Lindfield gave Bay a glimmer of hope when he held off a number of challenges and curled brilliantly beyond Keighan Jones with eight minutes remaining, but Airbus held on to see out their first win over the Seagulls in over three years.
Bangor 1876 booked their spot in the Northern final with a 2-0 home win over Penrhyncoch on Saturday afternoon.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when James Barry’s cross from the left wing fell to Dylan Summers-Jones, who turned home from close range for his first Bangor goal since returning to the club in January.
The 22-year-old doubled the advantage nine minutes into the second half and this time it was much more of his own making. Picking up the ball on the left wing, he drove forward before releasing a shot 25 yards out which flew past Penrhyncoch goalkeeper Leigh Jenkins.
The visitors hit the post as they searched for a way back into the game, but Bangor kept their clean sheet intact to ensure progression.
In the Southern section, Penrhiwceiber Rangers caused a shock by winning 2-0 away at Pontypridd United on Saturday to reach the regional final.
Ponty have had title hopes in the JD Cymru South this season while Rangers are involved in the relegation battle, but it was Dean Brown’s side who took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Joe Jenkins.
That remained the difference between the two sides throughout the second half, until Rangers wrapped up victory in the fourth minute of stoppage time when substitute Kai Wint scored his first goal for the club since joining from Newport City in January.
Trefelin completed the line-up for the regional finals by coming from behind to win 2-1 away at Newport City on Sunday.
Owen Bancroft scored the winner for the Steelmen against Ammanford in the previous round and his 19th-minute goal had them ahead at the break in this tie.
However, Joseph Jones bagged his second goal in three matches to draw Trefelin level in the 68th minute, before substitute Steffan Jenkins netted what proved to be the winner with 11 minutes remaining.
The Welsh Blood Service League Cup regional finals will be held on the weekend of 18-20 April, at neutral venues to be confirmed.
Welsh Blood Service League Cup Regional Semi-Final results:
Northern section
Colwyn Bay 2-3 Airbus UK Broughton
Bangor 1876 2-0 Penrhyncoch
Southern section
Pontypridd United 0-2 Penrhiwceiber Rangers
Newport City 1-2 Trefelin
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