Third tier Bangor City 1876 booked their place in this season’s JD Welsh Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win over Caerau Ely at a packed Bangor City Stadium.
An incredible crowd of 2,814 watched on as Michael Johnston’s men knocked out a fourth consecutive second tier side to continue their remarkable cup run and campaign – they are yet to lose a game in any competition this season.
Cai Powell Roberts opened the scoring in the 14th minute in bizarre fashion as he intercepted the ball from Hywel Davies, with his tackle sending the ball curling towards goal and past out-of-position Caerau Ely goalkeeper Harry Irving.
The visitors were level on 21 minutes when Bubacarr Sama’s cross was glanced in by Dan Griffiths, but Bangor regained the advantage just three minutes later when Powell Roberts’ menacing low delivery from the right was turned home in the middle by Corrig McGonigle.
Powell Roberts was once again involved as Bangor scored a third goal just before the hour mark, with this time his cross being poked in by Dylan Summers-Jones via a touch off Caerau defender Harrison Lewis as he tried to keep it out.
That proved enough to send the hosts through, with wild celebrations at the end befitting for a side who became the first team from the third tier to reach the semi-finals since 2014.
JD Welsh Cup
JD Cymru North side Rhyl 1879 caused an upset by coming from behind to triumph 2-1 over top-flight Barry Town United at the Hops & Barley Community Stadium.
Ollie Hulbert put the visitors, six-time winners of the JD Welsh Cup, ahead after just seven minutes when he fired home from the edge of the box after Ieuan Owen had nodded down a long ball.
However, Rhyl were back on terms seven minutes before half-time when Ben Lawrence’s cross from the right was met by a brilliant looping header from Mo Ali.
The turnaround was complete on 68 minutes when Will Holmes played a superb ball through to Archie Jones, who held off the defender to clinically fire past George Ratcliffe and spark wild scenes of celebration among the home faithful – who helped contribute to a total crowd of 1,135. Jones’ strike proved to be decisive, with Barry unable to find a late equaliser to save their cup hopes.
Caernarfon Town reached the JD Welsh Cup semi-finals for the first time in nine years with a 4-1 victory over fellow top-flight outfit Colwyn Bay at the Go Goodwins Stadium.
The Cofis took the lead seven minutes before half-time when Paulo Mendes’ clever backheel released Morgan Owen down the right hand side of the box and he squared for Iwan Lewis to slot home.
That advantage was doubled inside the opening minute of the second half when Adam Davies set the ball off for Sion Bradley on the edge of the box and he produced a superb first time finish on the spin.
Colwyn Bay found a way back into the game just before the hour mark, with Louis Robles halving the deficit by turning the ball home from close range after Matty Hill’s long throw had been flicked on in the box.
However, it was to be Caernarfon’s day in front of a 1,224 attendance as Richard Davies’ side scored two late goals to seal victory. Danny Gosset added his name to scoresheet on 81 minutes when his free-kick deflected past Alex Brown, before substitute Zack Clark netted in stoppage time – finishing from two yards out at the second time of asking after Brown had saved his initial effort.
Flint Town United are the only previous JD Welsh Cup winners left in the competition following their 3-0 home win over Trearddur Bay, which secured a semi-final spot for the first time since they lifted the trophy in 1954.
It took just four minutes for the Silkmen to open the scoring at the Essity Stadium, as good work from Osebi Abadaki down the left saw the winger deliver a low ball which was turned home by Darren Stephenson.
Abadaki was again the provider when Flint doubled their lead in the 15th minute, as he played the ball to Ben Wynne on the edge of the area and he curled his strike home through a crowded box.
Those two early goals eased any Flint fears of suffering a cup upset, but it was not until three minutes from time that the Silkmen scored their third. Jake Canavan spotted the run of substitute of Ben Hughes and played a clever through ball to the midfielder who kept his cool to slot home one-on-one with Bay goalkeeper Paul Pritchard.
