PENYBONT reached their first ever Welsh Cup final on Friday night (Mar 18) as they beat Bala on penalties.
The game was played at Aberystwyth Town’s Park Avenue stadium and those who attended witnessed an even game which finished 0-0 after 90 minutes.
The Bont held their nerves for the spot kicks, scoring everyone of theirs, to seal a 5-3 shootout win against the 2017 winners.
Bont had the first chance of the game but Lewis Clutton found the side netting with his effort.
At the other end, a dangerous cross from Will Evans was cleared just before Chris Venables could get a touch on it.
Kane Owen then had a chance to score for the Bont before Venables sent an effort inches over the bar for Bala.
Evans then tried his luck with an acrobatic effort but it was inches away from hitting the target.
With ten minutes to go until the break Sam Snaith headed goalwards but he was denied by a brilliant save from Bala keeper Alex Ramsay to keep the score at 0-0.
It was still goalless when the half time whistle went and there was little to show in the early stages of the second half as both teams cancelled each other out.
Midway through the half Venables went close for Bala but his effort was brilliantly saved by Bont keeper Ashley Morris.
Lewis Clutton then saw a shot go wide before Bala keeper Ramsay made another good save to keep the scores level.
Neither side could find a late winner and it meant that penalties would be needed to separate them.
After five perfect penalties, Bala’s Brad Bauress saw his effort saved by Morris.
That was the only save of the shootout and it meant that Shaun Macdonald had a chance to win it for the Bont.
He sent the keeper the wrong way and rolled the ball into the net to spark wild scenes amongst the Bont players and coaches.
