The New Saints 1-0 Colwyn Bay: Saints through to Welsh Cup final
OSWESTRY, WALES - 12 MARCH 2022: The New Saints' celebrate Penybont's Lewis Harling own goal to make it 2-2 during the Second Phase of the JD Cymru Premier / Championship Conference league fixture between The New Saints FC & Penybont FC, Park Hall, Oswestry, Wales, March 12th, 2022. (Pic By John Smith/FAW)
The New Saints will contest the Welsh Cup final with Penybont after defeating Colwyn Bay 1-0 at Belle Vue.
A 15th-minute strike from Danny Davies was the only goal of the game in what was a closely contested fixture.
TNS, who are the Cup holders, after winning against Connah’s Quay in 2018/19, will contest their 11th final after winning seven of them.
New Saints started on the front foot and showed no signs of any early nerves against lower league opposition. After a game of head tennis in the box, Declan McManus headed over the bar.
Instead, it was Bay who were the most nervous as they had to continuously deal with the threat of a potent attack. McManus’ second header of the game was well gathered by Andy Coughlin.
More pressure came with Ryan Brobbel lifting a shot at Coughlin off of his line from 25-yards and the goalkeeper had to tip it away.
TNS took the lead through the resulting set-piece with Davies getting on target. A corner-kick from Brobbel came all the way round to the back post and the Welshman touched home from close range, though there were suspicions of handball.
They weren’t content with one goal and McManus had another attempt with Ben Clark playing an expert pass but after Coughlin rushed out, the Scotsman hit the side netting.
The biggest Saints threat came from the aerial threat that they had with Keston Davies and Jordan Williams both heading over the bar.
In a rare chance for Colwyn Bay, Kristian Platt’s header was directed just over the bar after a pinpoint cross from Ryan Edwards.
To close out the first-half, Leo Smith hit a well-hit effort on the volley just over the bar in what was a dominant showing.
In the first 15 minutes of the second half, Bay were much improved and had appeals for a penalty. Connor Roberts came out and collided with Platt, though the officials didn’t deem it a foul.
Edwards then fed through James Kirby after a loose ball in midfield but the Seagulls forward’s place shot was hit at the lower half of the body of the goalkeeper.
In a late attempt to change the game, first-team manager Steve Evans brought himself in stoppage time but couldn’t affect the result.
The New Saints: Connor Roberts, Chris Marriott, Keston Davies, Ryan Astles, Ryan Brobbel (Louis Robles, 90+5), Declan McManus, Danny Redmond, Jordan Williams, Ben Clark, Leo Smith, Danny Davies.
Goals: Danny Davies 15’
Yellow Cards: Ben Clark 76, Ryan Brobbel 85’
Colwyn Bay: Andy Coughlin: Joe Williams, Stefan Edwards (Steve Evans, 90+2, Cai Owen (Ashley Woods, 87), Sam Jones (Kieran Evans, 78), Tom McCready, Jordan Carrington, Craig Lindfield, Kristian Platt, Ryan Edwards, James Kirby.
Yellow Cards: James Kirby 86’
Attendance: 871
