Convincing semi-final victories from Aberystwyth Town and Connah’s Quay confirm this year’s JD Welsh Cup final
Three-time Welsh Cup winning manager Nev Powell will make another trip to the Welsh domestic football season’s showpiece occasion – the JD Welsh Cup final.
Powell, who has never lost a Welsh Cup semi-final tie, watched on as his Aberystwyth side put aside their patchy league form to overcome Newtown 2-1 on Sunday thanks to two goals from Declan Walker.
Walker’s diving header put Aberystywth in front midway through the first half and the right-back converted again in the second period from the penalty spot.
Newtown were able to reduce the deficit after they too were awarded a penalty. Nick Rushton pulled a goal back from the Robins after Ashley Young had handled inside his own area, but they were unable to force an equaliser as Aberystwyth finished strongly.
Powell won the Welsh Cup for three years in succession at former club Bangor City and will now takes Aberystwyth Town to their first final in four years.
There he will face Connah’s Quay – another of his former sides – after they stunned Bangor City on Saturday night, winning 6-1.
In what had been expected to a be closely contested encounter, Bangor City capitulated against clinical Connah’s Quay.
Andy Owens rose highest to head Connah’s Quay into the lead before Ryan Wignall slotted the ball past Matthew Hall. Michael Bakare’s cool finish after being released by Owen’s flick-on made it 3-0 before the break.
Things failed to improve for City following the restart and Owens’ well-executed finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area extended the Nomads’ lead.
Bangor’s defence were again found wanting when unstoppable Owens thumped in his third on the hour mark. Substitute Nathan Woolfe added a sixth goal for Connah’s Quay a minute after George Harry had pulled a goal back for Bangor from the penalty spot.
