The New Saints and Bala Town will battle it out in the 134th JD Welsh Cup final at Nantporth Stadium on Sunday.
The New Saints, who lifted the trophy last season following a 3-2 victory over Penybont, started their quest to defend it with a shootout victory over Chirk AAA, who went took a shock lead through Ryan Davies. His namesake Keston replied to force spot-kicks and the Saints came out on top with a 4-2 win at Holyhead Road.
Adam Roscrow hit a hat-trick as Bala began their journey in the competition with a 6-1 win over Lock Stock Ardal North West side Hawarden Rangers, with James Davies, Nathan Peate and George Newell also on target for the Lakesiders.
Ryan Brobbel and Danny Redmond were both on target as the Saints overcame fellow JD Cymru Premier side Caernarfon Town with a 2-1 win in the next round to reach the last 16.
Bala were also tasked with JD Cymru Premier opposition in the third round as they were given a home tie against Flint Town United, who they beat 2-0 thanks to goals from Chris Venables and Kieran Smith.
Ben Clark and Declan McManus both hit braces in the victory over Newtown, while strikes from Ryan Astles and Ryan Brobbel, plus a Callum Roberts own goal, saw the Saints fire home seven.
It was a tight affair between Bala and Pontypridd United in the last 16, but a penalty from Chris Venables and Nathan Peate’s late strike proved enough in a 2-1 win at Maes Tegid.
Celtic Park was the next destination for the Saints and, despite going in level at the break after Joshua Rippon cancelled out Ryan Brobbel’s opener, two second-half goals from Brobbel saw him complete his hat-trick and sent his side into the last four.
While two second-half strikes from Chris Venables and Adam Roscrow earned Bala a 2-0 victory over Briton Ferry Llansawel in the quarter-final clash on home soil.
Josh Daniels netted a brace at Richmond Park in the 2-0 win over Penybont to send the Saints to within touching distance of defending the trophy this weekend.
Bala came from behind against Connah’s Quay Nomads in the other semi-final as Nathan Peate cancelled out Harry Franklin’s opener. George Newell then put the Lakesiders and, despite Jack Kenny levelling just after the restart, Chris Venables struck with four minutes left to send Bala into this season’s final.
