BARRY TOWN 1 CONNAH'S QN 2 (at Newtown)
JUBILANT Connah's Quay Nomads celebrated a famous victory after booking their ticket for the Welsh Cup final with a determined display to sink holders Barry Town at Newtown's Latham Park ground.
Fully committed, the Nomads earned a deserved victory courtesy of two excellent strikes at the start of each half.
After Jamie Hughes had volleyed wide from a golden opportunity in the early exchanges, Neville Powell's men went ahead in the sixth minute when Barry 'keeper Pat Mountain struggled to clear a bouncing through-ball from Carl Smythe on the edge of the box.
The ball then ran out to Stuart Rain, who sent a perfectly weighted 25 yard chip into the net, despite the despairing efforts of the back-pedalling Mountain.
Barry struggled to get into their stride against the determined Deesiders with Eifion Williams failing to hit the target on several occasions.
But the full-timers pulled level in the 20th minute when Danny Carter was allowed time to turn on the edge of the box and drilled a low shot past Phil Collister inside the right hand post.
Nomads, however, continued to show plenty of purpose and endeavour to frustrate Barry.
And they regained the lead just five minutes into the second half when Barry defender Paul Mitchell was ruled to have handled on the edge of the box and Steve Futcher crashed a fierce free-kick into the roof of the net.
Despite plenty of possession, the South Walians struggled to break down a resolute Nomads defence.
Williams and Gareth Knott both sent efforts wide while Carter was denied a close range save from Collister.
The Nomads did have thier opportunities on the break, but failed to capitalise, with Raine crashing a volley over the bar.
At 2-1 down, Barry were facing the prospect of their first defeat of the sesaon.
Barry pushed hard late on for an equaliser.
But despite their efforts, Connah's Quay held firm to book a place in the Welsh Cup final for the first time since 1929.
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This page maintained by the Yellow Dragon, 1998.
This report first printed in the Wales on Sunday, 19th April, 1998.
Barry Town v Connah's Quay Nomads, Welsh Cup semi-final 1997-98,
Played at Latham Park, Newtown, 18th April, 1998.
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