COLWYN BAY’S dream of a first ever Welsh Cup final appearance was ended by a controversial TNS winning goal in a 1-0 semi-final defeat at Belle Vue.
Had VAR been in use Danny Davies’ 15th minute goal for the full-timers could well have been chalked off as replays showed the ball came off his arm onto his head as he challenged at the far post for a deep inswinging corner.
But the goal stood and in the end that was enough to take the Cymru Premier champions into a 12th Welsh Cup final.
The Bay, cheered on by another big following, did have chances to equalise.
Kristian Platt headed inches over the bar following a corner in the first half and Ryan Edwards played in James Kirby one-on-one in the second period, only for TNS keeper Connor Roberts to deflect the shot away for a corner.
Manager Steve Evans, who came on up front in added time in a last throw of the dice, felt his side deserved the chance of a penalty shoot-out.
“Second half I thought we were fantastic. We were on the front foot and although we didn’t create too many chances they haven’t created too much either,” Steve told S4C’s Sgorio.
“I thought it was a pretty even game and credit to the lads. We had a game plan, we stuck to it and TNS didn’t cause us too many problems.
“I’m gutted for the lads because I thought we deserved a draw and a go at the penalties, but that’s football. Now its all about building for next season.
“The fans were again fantastic and they deserve to have a team in the Welsh Prem. That is our aim.”
TNS head coach Anthony Limbrick was critical of the the bumpy surface and admitted his side had to dig out a result, but the Bay defended stoutly, with Andy Coughlin making a couple of big saves in the first half, and can hold their heads up high for rarely allowing the full-timers to threaten in that second half.
COLWYN BAY: Andy Coughlin, Joe Williams, Stefan Edwards (Steve Evans 90+2), Cai Owen (Ash Woods 88), Sam Jones (Kieran Evans 78), Tom McCready (c), Jordan Carrington, Craig Lindfield, Kristian Platt, Ryan Edwards, James Kirby. Unused subs: Ryan Neild (g), Dan Parry-Jones.
PHOTO BY DAVE THOMAS
