Connah’s Quay Nomads headed south boasting a 17-match unbeaten run, but they were eventually undone by Ollie Hulbert’s 17th goal of the season in all competitions. Hulbert headed home a Mike George cross from the right to win the game in the 90th minute.
“We will prepare as normal this week for the final. We know TNS will be the favourites – they seem to win this cup every year,” said Barry boss Andy Legg.
“We have got to go into the game with our sleeves rolled up and ready to give it our best shot. I thought we deserved our win over the Nomads and it was always one goal that was going to decide it,”
The Nomads first league defeat since 23 September meant they fell further behind TNS in the title race. With six games to go they are now 15 points adrift, although have a 10 point cushion over third place Penybont in the battle for the second automatic place in Europe next season.
“We didn’t deserve anything from the game. The goalless draw last week was on me and the coaching staff because we didn’t create any chances,” said Nomads boss John Disney.
“This week we had moments in the final third but still didn’t create chances. That’s on me and my staff because we had a week to prepare the side to face a very good defensive unit at Barry.”
Brad Young returned to Park Hall and notched his first goal for Caernarfon Town, but it still wasn’t enough to stop his new club from going down to a 2-1 defeat to league leaders The New Saints.
Young was the Golden Boot winner two years ago in the JD Cymru Premier when he was at TNS. Then he went off to play in the Middle East before returning to Wales to join the Cofis in the January transfer window.
His goal levelled at 1-1 after Danny Redmond had given the home side a 10th minute lead. Ben Wilson then clinched the points for the reigning champions with his eighth goal of the season on the hour mark.
Colwyn Bay boss Michael Wilde claimed his side were “outstanding” as they added to Penybont’s current woes with a 3-1 triumph. George Hughes scored direct from a corner, Ryan Astles headed home from another Hughes corner and Jordan Davies, who had scored a hat-trick the last time the two teams met in north Wales, got the other.
Penybont, who now haven’t won in their last 10 league and cup outings, had a goal from Noah Daley, but also had Nathanial Williams sent off.
Llanelli Town became the first team to have relegation confirmed from the top flight after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Play Off Conference leaders Haverfordwest County. Having already lost twice to the Reds at Stebonheath this season, the visitors were pleased to escape with three points on their third visit.
The only goal of the game came in the 27th minute when Dan Hawkins tapped in a Ben Ahmun low cross from the right at the far post. That made it 16 games without a win for Llanelli, who will now return to the JD Cymru South next season.
Ironically, their last league win had been against Haverfordwest way back in September, a 1-0 triumph, and they added a 3-0 JD Welsh Cup win to that victory over the same opposition the next month.
Bala Town are now five points adrift of safety after they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Briton Ferry Llansawel. What didn’t help their cause was their nearest rivals Flint Town United picked up a point in a 1-1 draw with Cardiff Met.
It was goalless at half time and then Tom Walters and Ollie Anderson shot the Ferrymen into a two-goal lead. Connor Evans grabbed a goal back in the 82nd minute but it was too little too late for the Lakesiders, who have now won once in 11 games.
Jake Canavan nicked a 96th equaliser for Flint at home in their game against Cardiff Met after Matthew Chubb gave the Archers the lead in the 70th minute. It was the visitor’s sixth draw in their last eight games.
