This season’s JD Welsh Cup semi-finalists are locked in following some thrilling quarter-final ties this weekend.
Cup holders The New Saints were the first side to book their spot in the last four, but they had to come from behind to defeat Briton Ferry Llansawel 5-1 on Friday night.
Following a goalless first half at Old Road, the JD Cymru South leaders took a shock lead four minutes after the break when in-form striker Tom Walters unleashed a superb strike from the left of the box that flew past Connor Roberts.
An upset was on the cards for 15 minutes, until Ben Clark equalised for TNS with a sweetly struck volley into the bottom corner and then Craig Harrison’s side took control of the tie with a flurry of late goals.
Back post finishes from Declan McManus and Ryan Brobbel gave them a two-goal cushion, before the Scottish striker added his second from close range and Brad Young got his name on the scoresheet with a deflected strike in stoppage time.
Last year’s runners-up Bala Town are also into the semi-finals again after they triumphed 3-0 over third tier side Flint Mountain.
Keen to avoid an upset in front of the live Sgorio cameras, the Lakesiders took the lead after just seven minutes when Naim Arsan volleyed home from Luke Wall’s dangerous delivery.
Wall got his second assist of the afternoon in the 38th minute, crossing for George Newell to head home and double the advantage.
After Flint Mountain had been reduced to 10 men as a result of Rob Hughes’ second yellow card, it was the same combination for Bala’s third of the afternoon with 13 minutes left on the clock. Wall delivered another menacing ball from the left for Newell to volley in from close range.
Cardiff Met progressed from the only all JD Cymru Premier tie, beating Colwyn Bay 3-2 in an enthralling encounter.
The Archers led after 14 minutes as Sam Jones finished off a well worked move, but the forward then played a part in the Seagulls levelling four minutes before half-time when his error allowed Dan Jones to round Alex Lang and finish into an empty net.
Steve Evans’ side led for the first time in the tie just after the hour mark when Udi Akpan produced a composed finish that went in off the post, but Met were level 10 minutes later as Sam Jones continued his topsy-turvy afternoon by bundling the ball home for his second goal.
The winning goal arrived in the 81st minute, as Lewis Rees headed home from Eliot Evans’ corner to send Met into the semi-finals for the first time in five years.
Connah’s Quay Nomads complete the last four line-up following their 4-1 win away at Flintshire neighbours Buckley Town.
Jordan Davies turned the ball home from the opener on 22 minutes, while Harry Franklin made it 2-0 by half-time as he headed home from Declan Poole’s cross.
Ryan Harrington drove forward from the left and lashed into the net early in the second half, while Buckley threatened a comeback on the hour mark as Max Moore’s strike deflected past Andy Firth.
But the Nomads wrapped up the victory two minutes later when a superb through ball from Harrington played in Jack Kenny, who rounded Ryan Goldston to score his side’s fourth of the afternoon.
Watch the JD Welsh Cup semi-final draw on RedWall+ at 8pm on Wednesday 21 February.
