Penybont 0-0 Bala Town (5-3 on penalties): Penybont through to maiden Welsh Cup final
Penybont celebrate after the penalty shootout. Penybont v Bala Town in the JD Welsh Cup Semi Final at Park Avenue on the 18th March 2022. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Penybont edged past Bala Town as they overcame them in a nervy penalty shootout to earn their spot in the Welsh Cup final.
After 90 minutes it finished 0-0 with neither side really doing enough to win, but Bradley Bauress missed a vital penalty for Bala after Penybont scored all of theirs, and it fell to Shaun MacDonald to score the winning penalty to take Bont to their first Welsh Cup final, where they will face either TNS or Colwyn Bay.
It was a nervy start to the game with both teams unwilling to make any mistakes and having good spells of possession, but both had great opportunities to take the lead.
Ashley Morris went close first for Bala. Calum Woods’ cross fell at the back post where Morris had made a run, but he somehow couldn’t keep his effort down, and the ball went sailing over the bar.
No doubt, however, that Penybont had the best chance of the half. A cross from Nathan Wood found an unmarked Sam Snaith in the centre of the goal. If he headed the ball down or to either side it was a goal, but he elected to head it straight, allowing Alex Ramsay to produce a remarkable save onto the bar before the ball was scrambled away by the Bala defence, and we went into the break on level terms.
The second half was played in the same manner as the first, both teams keeping possession well but neither creating many real chances.
Bala’s best chance went to Chris Venables, but his low curling effort was tipped round the post well by Ashley Morris.
Penybont went close through Dan Jefferies, but Ramsay leapt across his goal to keep it out, so we headed into a penalty shootout.
The first five penalties were converted well, but substitute Bradley Bauress, who came on in the 90th minute to take a penalty, struck his shot poorly and it was easily saved by Morris.
The winning penalty was converted by the veteran Shaun MacDonald, to send Penybont through to their first Welsh Cup final.
Player of the Match: Kane Owen
Owen put in a captain’s performance tonight. His wing-play was second to none and his vision to create openings for his side were superb.
Penybont: Ashley Morris (GK), Kane Owen ©, Dan Jefferies, Mael Davies, Ben Ahmun (Liam Walsh, 62’), Nathan Wood, Kai Whitmore (Ashley Evans, 90’), Sam Snaith, Billy Borge, Lewis Clutton, Shaun MacDonald
Unused Subs: Rhys Wilson (GK), Ryan Reynolds, Tom Tweedy
Yellow Cards: Mael Davies (88’)
Bala Town: Alex Ramsay (GK), Calum Woods (Oliver Southern, 78’), Sean Smith (Bradley Bauress, 90’), Nathan Peate, Will Evans, Dan Ebbe, Kieran Smith, Antony Kay, Paul Rutherford (Lassana Mendes, 82’), Dave Edwards, Chris Venables ©
Unused Subs: Johnny Spittle, Ollie Shannon
Yellow Cards: Nathan Peate (77’)
Penalty Shootout
Penybont: Mael Davies (Yes), Sam Snaith (Yes), Nathan Wood (Yes), Kane Owen (Yes), Shaun MacDonald (Yes)
Bala: Chris Venables (Yes), Dave Edwards (Yes), Bradley Bauress (No), Antony Kay (Yes)
Penybont win 5-3 on penalties
