Connah’s Quay and TNS will meet in the JD Welsh Cup semi-final, but only after recording narrow quarter-final victories.
The two sides passage to the last four was anything but straightforward with their respective quarter-final ties going to the wire.
Current Welsh Cup holders TNS required extra-time to see off Bangor City.
The Citizens produced a fearless performance at Park Hall and had strong claims for a first-half penalty turned down as the tie finished scoreless in regulation time.
Bangor, who’d been reduced to 10-men following Yalany Baio’s 86th-minute dismissal, then shocked the hosts when Henry Jones put City ahead four minutes into extra-time.
On the stroke of half-time in extra-time, New Zealander Greg Draper fired TNS back on level terms before Adrian Cieslewicz grabbed a decisive winner with penalties just minutes away.
TNS manager Craig Harrison felt his team were worthy winners despite being pushed hard.
“It was important that we won today and got to the Welsh Cup semi-final,” he said post-match.
“I’ve watched Bangor three or four times this season and they’ve done really well. They’ve got a really got squad together with some very dangerous players.
“We knew before the game that it was going to be an open, counter-attacking game and they proved it, but I think in overall possession in changes, we deserved to win.”
Connah’s Quay’s tie went even closer with the Nomads requiring penalties to overcome the 2013 Welsh Cup winners Prestatyn Town.
Prestatyn stunned the Nomads when Alec Williams and Ben Maher fired the Cymru Alliance leaders into a 2-0 lead before half-time.
Connah’s Quay reduced the deficit in route one fashion when Kai Edwards latched onto a long upfield clearance shortly after the restart. The Nomads then forced extra-time when Wes Baynes capitalised on a defensive mix-up with just eight minutes remaining.
And after a goalless additional 30-minutes, Mike Wilde scored the decisive spot-kick as Connah’s Quay edged to a 4-3 win in a tense shootout.
Bala Town took a step closer to reaching their first ever Welsh Cup final after a comfortable 3-0 victory against Guilsfield.
Ryan Wade’s effort gave Bala the advantage over the Cymru Alliance side going in at the break. Chris Venables and John Irving then secured Colin Caton’s men their place in the last four.
Caernarfon Town eased their way to their first Welsh Cup semi-final appearance in 29-years after thumping fellow Cymru Alliance side Llanfair United 7-0.
Strikes from Gareth Edwards (twice) Kevin Lloyd saw the Cofi’s race into a three-goal lead midway through the first-half. A brace from Jamie Breese and goals Darren Thomas and Clive Williams completed the rout.
JD Sports Welsh Cup semi-final draw (1st April, venues TBC)
Caernarfon Town v Bala Town
gap Connah’s Quay v The New Saints
