JD WELSH CUP: Keeper Jones the hero as Bangor City 1876 knock out higher-level opponents

JD WELSH CUP ROUND TWO

CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 1 (Summers-Jones 81)

Guilsfield 1 (Flory pen 72)

(1876 won 4-3 on penalties)

Carl Jones proved once again he is one of Welsh football’s greatest penalty-savers when his two shootout stops ensured Bangor City 1876 knocked higher-level Guilsfield out of the Welsh Cup on spot-kicks.

On an emotional afternoon at Bangor City Stadium, Jones emerged as the hero like he so often has in the past with his ability to keep out pens.

It was a magnificent outcome for the Tier 3 Citizens, who not only eliminated Cymru North opponents from Wales’ premier cup competition, but also extended their season-long undefeated record to 15 matches – 14 wins.

Ardal North West high-flyers City pressed from the start, James Barry producing some dangerous runs and crosses before a Josh Carey curler was superbly saved by keeper Luke Evans.

At the other end, Jones made it clear penalties are not his only speciality as he produced a fantastic stop to deny Guils a goal.

Half-time 0-0

The second half saw 1876 continue to look the more threatening, Tom Clarke at the far post clearing the bar from close range.

It was against the run of play when the visitors took a 72nd minute lead, James Smallwood being brought down by the keeper and Sam Flory scoring from the spot.

Bangor would not be denied and equalised on 81 minutes when Evans kept out a shot, but Dylan Summers-Jones made sure the ball was guided over the line.

In an end-to-end finish, keeper Jones performed more heroics, but come the full-time whistle it remained 1-1 and pens were needed to decide the winner.

With Jones keeping out two, Carey stepped up to convert the winning penalty and send the home crowd delirious.