COLWYN BAY won on penalties as goalkeeper Mark Halstead emerged as the match hero, scoring a dramatic late equaliser and then saving two spot kicks against Buckley Town in the FAW Welsh Cup.
The Cymru North side came from behind to lead 2-1 going into six minutes of added time, when Halstead grabbed the equaliser and Lewis Sirrell slotted home the shoot-out winner to put the Bay through to the next round.
In a nervy start by the Bay, it needed a great last-ditch tackle by Dan Roberts to prevent Buckley going one-on-one with Mark Halstead but after settling down and going close with Ryan Astles having a header tipped over the bar, they took the lead through Jack Kenny’s finish from Louis Robles’ low cross.
Connor Littler levelled for Buckley on 33 minutes, but Bay hit the bar and had another effort cleared off the line before half-time with Ryan Astles unlucky not to bag a hat-trick.
It was Buckley, however, who went in front when substitute Dylan Proctor turned well inside the box to score on 62 minutes, and they missed a golden chance in front of an open goal to go 3-1 up.
They still looked like holding out for a win as Bay had two goals ruled out for offside.
Four minutes into added time, however, Mark Halstead went up for a set piece and sensationally snatchd the last gasp equaliser from Nathan Peate’s assist.
The tie went straight to penalties and it was left to skipper Lewis Sirrell to calmly slot home the deciding spot kick and send Bay through to the next round after Mark Halstead had saved two of Buckley’s kicks.
Josh Williams, Jordan Davies and Ryan Astles were the other successful Bay penalty takers after Adaam Davies had his opening kick saved.
Post match thoughts of Mike Wilde and Danny Harrison on (20+) Facebook
COLWYN BAY: Mark Halstead, Dan Roberts (Aeron Edwards 66), Lewis Sirrell (c), Sol Forde, Jack Kenny (Jordan Davies 66), Adam Davies, Louis Robles (Nathan Peate 76), Josh Williams, Ethan Roberts, Matty Hill (Sam Hart 71), Ryan Astles. Unused subs: Seb Osment, Dafi Rowlands.
