Connah’s Quay claim second Welsh Cup win to end TNS’ 25-game unbeaten run
Mike Wilde in his final game for Connah's Quay lifts the Welsh Cup with John Disney. (Image: Lewis Mitchell)
Connah’s Quay ended TNS’ remarkable run in the JD Welsh Cup to claim the title with a 2-1 victory at Rodney Parade.
The Nomads, who were the last team to beat The New Saints with victory in the quarter-final of the 2017-18 edition, stunned the unbeaten JD Cymru Premier champions with the first goal after 30 minutes through Harry Franklin’s smart finish.
Ash Baker headed home the equaliser a short time later before Josh Williams’s fantastic scissor-kick half-volley restored the North Wales outfit’ lead.
Craig Harrison’s men, who finished 33 points ahead of second-placed Connah’s Quay, had been chasing an unbeaten domestic treble after winning both the League and Welsh Cup were left empty-handed and saw their 25-game unbeaten run in the competition come to an end in front of 1,246 supporters in Newport.
Both sides exchanged opportunities early on as The Nomads’ Kai Edwards saw his thunderous effort well blocked by The New Saints before Danny Redmomd’s fine strike was equally matched by Andy Firth in the Nomads goal.
Connah’s Quay, then, nearly broke the deadlock in the 14th minute in the Newport sunshine when Jack Kenny, following Jordan Davies’ low cross, saw his effort cleared off the line by TNS, who were indebted to the linesman after the official raised his flag for offside.
At the other end, Declan McManus teed up Ash Baker, who rounded Firth and eight the goal at his mercy the defender could only fire wide from a tight angle but he was spared his blushes by another offside flag.
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The first goal of three in 10 minutes arrived a short time later by the Nomads. Declan Poole’s inch-perfect cross split the TNS defence and Franklin met it to steer home the opener after half an hour of play.
But the holders didn’t have long to wait for the equaliser as they found the back of the net six minutes later.
Danny Redmomd’s superb cross was met by the head of Baker to nod home from six yards out.
But Neil Gibson’s men went back in front four minutes later. Ryan Harrington’s fantastic cross was headed back by Jordan Davies into the path of Williams and on the half-volley the 19-year-old unleashed a sublime strike, which flew past Connor Roberts and into the top corner.
The Nomads started the second half how they ended the first and appealed for a penalty in the 48th minute when Kenny was adjudged to have been brought down by Danny Davies but referee Bryn Markham-Jones waved away any protests.
But the holders grew into the game and found Firth in inspired form. The Nomads goalkeeper brilliantly denied Brad Young before he kept out Rory Holden’s long-range effort.
The New Saints kept moving forward and were unfortunate not to equalise when Redmond could only fire over from close range.
Firth once again kept Nomads ahead when he caught TNS substitute Ryan Brobbel’s lob as Harrison’s men were left facing defeat for the first time this season.
Michael Wilde was introduced from the Nomads bench for his final game.
Gibson’s men had to withstand eight minutes of added time but the Nomads held on for a famous win and their second ever Welsh Cup.
Connah’s Quay
Andy Firth, John Disney (C), Ryan Harrington, Jordan Davies, Harry Franklin, (Aron Williams 80), Noah Edwards, Ben Nash, Jack Kenny (Michael Wilde 80), Declan Poole (Daniel Roberts 90+6), Josh Williams (Callum Bratley 71), Kai Edwards
Substitutions: Jordan Rushton
Bookings: Noah Edwards 24, Jordan Davies 76
TNS
Connor Roberts, Chris Marriott (C), Declan McManus, Dan Redmond, Jordan Williams (Daniel Williams 60), Rory Holden, Ben Clark (Ryan Brobbel 52) Leo Smith, Dan Davies, Brad Young, Ashley Baker (Adrian Ciesleswicz 46)
Substitutions: Henry Green, Tomas Jones
Bookings: Danny Davies 13, Declan McManus 19
Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones
Venue: Rodney Parade
Attendance: 1,246
