Connah’s Quay Nomads break semi-final jinx in Nathaniel MG Cup

Mike Wilde celebrates scoring Nomads’ second goal. Picture: Tom Houghton

Connah’s Quay Nomads will take on JD Cymru South underdogs STM Sports in the final of the Nathaniel MG Cup on February 1.

Andy Morrison’s side secured their place in the competition’s showpiece game for the first time in 23 years with a 2-0 win over Bala Town on Saturday.

First half goals from Callum Morris and Michael Wilde were enough to see off the Lakesiders at Deeside Stadium.

The deadlock was broken after Jamie Insall chased a high ball sent up by Wilde, and was brought down by Sean Smith as he entered the area.

Referee Rob Jenkins pointed to the spot, and Morris stepped up and delivered to make it 1-0 in the 12th minute.

Insall went for Nomads’ second in the 19th minute, dispossessing a defender to run straight at goal, but his low strike from 15 yards was blocked by keeper Josh Tibbetts.

Bala were seeking an equaliser at every opportunity, going closest in the 23rd minute when a Lassana Mendes header was nodded off the line by George Horan.

Town kept up the pressure before Nomads replied in the best way possible, scoring on the brink of half time.

Following a Danny Holmes throw-in from the right wing, the ball fell to Declan Poole and his shot was not quite held by Tibbetts, allowing Wilde to score from close range.

After the break, Nomads started brightly, Insall causing problems for the Bala defence with his pacy runs.

In the 51st minute, Town went close when a Lee Molyneux free kick towards the bottom left corner was pushed away by the fingertips of keeper Lewis Brass.

Three minutes later, Bala’s Louis Robles got in front of the Nomads’ goal from seven yards out and hit the crossbar.

Mendes again had a close range header, but it hit the side-netting as Colin Caton’s men’s search for a goal went on.

In the 77th minute, Bala sent a dangerous free kick into the Nomads’ area, but Brass rose highest to punch the ball away.

His clearance started a counter attack from Poole, who went on a great run into the Town area before he was tackled at the last moment.

Town never stopped trying, but Morrison’s side kept their cool to stay in control until the final whistle.

In the other semi-final, STM Sports celebrated a 2-1 win over Aberystwyth Town. The final will be played at a venue to be announced on Saturday, February 1.