Welsh Cup quarter-final reports: No fairy tale outcomes for North Wales underdogs

JD WELSH CUP QUARTER-FINALS

Bala Town 3 (Arsan 7, Newell 38 & 77)
Flint Mountain 0

Massive underdogs Flint Mountain did Tier 3 proud with an heroic performance against Cymru Premier Bala in a Welsh Cup quarter-final where the final score did not reflect the game.

Aden Shannon’s side were aiming to become just the second third-tier team in history to reach the national knockout semis, something only Johnny Haseldin’s Holywell Town team had previously achieved in 2013-14.

One thing the visitors needed to avoid if they were to rock the boat was concede an early goal.

However, Bala edged ahead in just the seventh minute.

Luke Wall sent over a whipped, wind-assisted cross from the right and Naim Arsan arrived right on cue to volley home.

Mountain responded really well.

A long throw into the box was nodded on by aerial specialist Lloyd Ellams, but when a player arriving at the back post was needed, no-one was there.

Soon after an outrageous piece of skill on the right from Rob Hughes saw him then drill a low cross into the six-yard box, but Michael Hayes’ attempted flick did not come off and Flint were unable to capitalise at the rear stick.

Hughes then hammered a free kick from 35 yards which just cleared the bar.

Bala retaliated with a host of chances.

Arsan blasted over from a similar position to the one which brought his goal, then John Danby got down well to save from Osebi Abadaki.

Ross White’s goalbound back post header was blocked before Abadaki was fortunate the ball landed kindly for him after hitting his back, but his lob over the advancing Danby cleared the crossbar.

It was little surprise when Colin Caton’s side went 2-0 up on 38 minutes, George Newell heading in another pinpoint Wall delivery, this time from the left flank.

HALF-TIME: 2-0

Early in the second half, the impressive Danby denied Bala with a superb stop from a White downward header.

Mountain were still in the contest and had a golden chance on the hour.

Aaron Hassall lifted a free kick into the area, Rowan Brooks’ toe-poke came back off keeper Kelland Absalom and Tom Ruffer blasted over from four yards out.

A goal then could have changed the game. As it was, Mountain’s hopes were all but dashed on 70 minutes when Rob Hughes was sent off for the seventh time in his career for a second yellow card.

The Ardal North West side could have capitulated at this point, but they didn’t.

In fact, they had a great opportunity to halve the arrears when Hayes crossed to the back post, Ellams’ effort was smothered and the ball returned to Hayes, who miscued, and two follow-up Mountain shots were blocked.

The win was sealed on 76 when Wall once more sent in a tremendous cross and Newell volleyed into the net for his brace.

That made it a hat-trick of assists for Wall. Pity they do not award a player the match-ball in such circumstances.

Newell, 27, the son of former Everton and Blackburn Rovers striker Mike, once played for Bolton Wanderers in the Championship. He looks like his dad, walks and talks like him and also plays in a similar fashion.

For Mountain, the great adventure is over, but they still have two more semi-finals to come and a potential league title push in the closing weeks of the season.

Buckley Town 1 (Moore 61)
Connah’s Quay Nomads 4 (Davies 22, Franklin 35, Harrington 51, Kenny 63)

Buckley could not mark their return to The Globe with a massive win as strong favourites Connah’s Quay Nomads comfortably advanced to the last four.

Jordan Davies broke the deadlock on 22 minutes and Harry Franklin ensured it was 2-0 at half time.

Ryan Harrington added a third for the Cymru Premier side early in the second half, but Buckley kept trying and Max Moore reduced the arrears with a goal for the Cymru North hosts on 61.

However, Jack Kenny soon bagged a fourth for Neil Gibson’s side and that was tie over.

Cardiff Met University 3 (S Jones 14 & 72, Rees 81)
Colwyn Bay 2 (Jones 41, Akpan 62)

Bay fought back from a goal down to lead just past the hour, but the students eventually took the honours in this all-Cymru Premier quarter-final.

Sam Jones edged Met in front after 14 minutes, but Dan Jones levelled on 41 and Udoyen Akpan made it 2-1 for the Seagulls after 62.

Sam Jones’ second made it all-square with 72 gone and Lewis Rees bagged an 81st minute decider.