A stunning strike from Ryan Brobbel was enough for The New Saints to reach their fourth League Cup final in as many years after they saw off Connah’s Quay at the Deeside Stadium.
Brobbel crashed in an effort from 35-yards to separate the two sides but Connah’s Quay had strong claims for penalty waved away in the closing stages.
The Saints will face Cardiff Met in the final on January 20th looking to win the trophy for the fourth year in succession.
Wes Fletcher headed over for Saints whilst a Joe Heath header flashed across the face of the goal for the Nomads as both sides saw chances fall their way in the opening 15 minutes.
The deadlock was broken on the half hour when Ryan Brobbel picked up a cleared ball to compose himself and fire an audacious half-volley past Connah’s Quay keeper Jon Rushton.
The introduction of Callum Morris at half time gave Connah’s Quay fresh impetus going forward and
Mathias Bakare fired a well-placed free-kick against the wall before a well-delivered cross from John Oyenuga was headed wide TNS-man Michael Wilde as the Nomads probed for an equaliser.
Simon Spender had a chance to seal the tie in the 84th-minute but was denied by Jon Rushton after Alex Darlington had slipped the right-back in through on goal, leading to a tense finale as Connah’s Quay rallied.
Referee Iwan Griffith refuted claims of a handball inside the area after Michael Wilde’s shot struck a body in defence and Wilde then squandered a golden opportunity in added time, firing over from close range against his former team.
Connah’s Quay Nomads 0 –
The New Saints FC 1 Ryan Brobbel 34′
Connah’s Quay Nomads
28. Jon Rushton, 2. Mike Pearson, 3. Kai Edwards, 9. Michael Wilde, 14. Matty Owen (8. Callum Morris 46′), 15. Sean Smith (26. Melford Simpson 68′), 16. James Owen, 18. Joe Heath, 22. Michael Bakare, 23. Mathias Bakare, 25. John Oyenuga (19. Jake Phillips 62′). Subs not used : 6. Danny Harrison, 10. Matthew Williams
Red Cards: None
Yellow Cards: Wilde 29′ Mat Bakare 85′
The New Saints FC
1. Paul Harrison, 2. Simon Spender, 17. Ryan Leak, 16. Callum Roberts, 6. Jon Routledge, 18. Tom Holland, 23. Aeron Edwards, 14. Jamie Mullan, 9. Greg Draper (20. Alex Darlington 76′), 10. Wes Fletcher (26.Ryan Pryce 81′), 8. Ryan Brobbel. Subs not used: 19. Ben Clark, 13. Aaron Jones (gk), 7. Christian Seargeant, 11. Robbie Parry, 3. Chris Marriott
Red Cards: None
Yellow Cards: Holland 64′ Routledge 76′
Attendance: 264 Referee: Iwan Griffith
Featured image courtesy: NCM Media / Connah’s Quay Nomads FC / Welsh Premier League
