Controversial goal ends cup final hopes

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.

“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.