Jones’ strike for Bangor just seconds from time was
sensational, and a rare highlight in what was a slightly workmanlike encounter
that ended TNS’ chances of a second successive league and Cup double.
In an even showdown between these two Welsh Premier giants,
the tie took a decisive twist 12 minutes from time when 20-year-old Sam Finley,
a half-time substitute for Aeron Edwards, showed his exuberance with a
two-footed lunge on Chris Roberts that led to an instant red card.
It handed the initiative to Bangor who cashed in on the
numerical advantage to extend the love affair of Neville Powell’s side with a
competition they have monopolised in recent years.
They will start as firm favourites to lift the trophy for
the third time in six years when they face Prestatyn in a derby final.
The best early chance at Rhyl’s Belle Vue ground fell to the
Saints, with a stunning ninth-minute half volley from Ryan Fraughan producing a
brilliant save from Bangor ‘keeper Lee Idzi.
Saints were on a 13-match unbeaten run, but Bangor were a
much tougher proposition than the last time the two sides met when Saints won
6-0 in the league.
They had another great 75th-minute chance to move
a step closer to the double when a teasing cross from Fraughan looked to have
set up top scorer Michael Wilde, but Idzi showed immense bravely to nip the
ball away from the striker’s boot and keep Bangor level.
Jones then became the Bangor hero when he latched onto a
long ball and superbly lobbed Paul Harrison to send his side into the final.
Brave Barry did their best to roll back the years and defy
the odds but came up just short as Prestatyn made it to a first ever Welsh Cup
final in the other game.
The six-time Cup winners and former Welsh Premier giants
came close to emulating the heroics of Cefn Druids in reaching last year’s final,
but the experience of Neil Gibson and his men gave the Seasiders the edge in a
gripping semi-final at Latham Park, Newtown.
Billed as a David v Goliath clash, Barry were huge underdogs
but did the club proud on the day with a big hearted performance that caused
Gibson’s side no end of problems.
At the core of the Barry threat was front man Anthony “TJ”
Nagi who proved a constant menace to the Prestatyn defence and, but for ‘keeper
Jon Hill-Dunt, would have bagged a hatful of goals.
The Welsh Premier League side were made to work hard before Tommy Holmes and cultured
player-boss Gibson combined to set-up Andy Parkinson for the Seasiders' opening
goal after 18 minutes.
Parkinson turned neatly in the box before producing a
clinical finish to continue his rich vein of goal-scoring form in Prestatyn
colours.
But the lead lasted only two minutes as ace Nagi dragged the
Dragons level when he beat Hill-Dunt to a long ball and kept his cool to beat a
covering defender and plant the ball into the net as Prestatyn rushed to cover
the goal-line.
Prestatyn’s Chris Davies had a second half shot hit the
crossbar and then Jason Price fired the rebound against a post.
But journeyman Price, a veteran of more than 400 Football
League appearances, created history as he made no mistake 12 minutes from time
following a corner to put Prestatyn into the final.
But Barry refused to lie down and Michael Hartley came close
to an equaliser when he volleyed narrowly over the bar.
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