Connah’s Quay Nomads booked their spot in this season’s JD Welsh Cup final with a 1-0 win over Bala Town at the OPS Wind Arena in Llandudno.
The Lakesiders had beaten the Nomads in the semi-final last year, but the Nomads gained revenge thanks to Aron Williams’ late winner.
It was a game of few chances and a cagey affair, with goalkeepers Andy Firth and Kelland Absalom doing their job for their respective sides when called upon.
With the game looking likely to head to a penalty shootout, the Nomads were handed the initiative when Bala captain Kieran Smith was sent off for a second bootable offence in the 87th minute.
The Nomads took advantage of the extra man as the clock ticked into the 90th minute. A stunning piece of skill from Harry Franklin saw him spin away from Bala’s defenders, he played in Luca Hogan down left who cut the ball back across goal where substitute Williams was arriving to fire home.
It is a first final in five years for the Nomads, who have lifted the trophy on one previous occasion – in 2018.
They will meet either Cardiff Met or holders The New Saints, who face off in the other semi-final at Latham Park in Newtown on Saturday 30 March (KO 17:25).
