As has been repeated throughout the season, this is the first year in which the Gilbert League Cup has been played over only one match as a knockout, rather than any one of a number of different formats which have been employed since it began in 1992. However, the draw remains on a regional basis, with the winner of the two sections meeting in the final in May.
With fewer sides in the League of Wales than ever before, there were fewer eligible clubs this year, and with only one match (but a replay if needed), there have been far fewer games in the cup this year. In many ways, this has worked to its advantage, with more interest being paid to these one-off games by both spectators and television coverage, with the goals from the quarter-finals being screened.
The club with LoW experience had home advantage in these preliminary round matches, with Rhayader entertaining newly-promoted Holywell Town and Haverfordwest County meeting Afan Lido. With a further sense of irony, with these games being the first under the knock-out system, they had to end as drawn matches. At Rhayader's Weirglodd, the match ended one apiece, while at Haverfordwest's Bridge Meadow, the home side went ahead twice only for the visitors to drag themselves back into the game and square it at 2-2.
However, winners had to be found in the replays, which took place a fortnight later. At Afan Lido, a goal after 108 minutes from Richard Gay was enough to see Haverfordwest through to the first round proper, while at Holywell's Halkyn Road ground, the match ended one apiece in normal time, before Holywell also found an extra-time winner through Vernon Keep
Barry's opponents this evening, Inter Cabletel, were also visiting mid-Wales in the first round of the competition, meeting then League of Wales leaders, Aberystwyth Town. Inter took the lead through Dai Withers after only seven minutes, but Aber hit back with a Gavin Allen goal on the half-hour. Nevertheless, Inter forced their way through with a second half goal from Richard Williams to give them a 2-1 victory on the night.
In North Wales, last season's finalists Bangor City were at home to Conwy United in a match which ended as a 1-1 draw. Martin Filson scored the goal for the home side, with Mally Tidswell getting the equaliser.
Meanwhile, at Holywell's Halkyn Road, the home side went out 1-0 to Newtown, whose Steve Clifford scored after 14 minutes to give them the goal to go through.
In Llansantffraid, there was another drawn match in the competition, as Total Network Solutions entertained Connah's Quay Nomads. The Saints drew first blood in the game, with Ken McKenna finding the net after 25 minutes. However, that advantage didn't last long, with Nomads' Chris Edge forcing a replay with a 27th minute goal.
Caernarfon Town met Rhyl at the Oval in the final match of the first round proper. The game ended as a 2-1 win for the home side. Terry Daley put the home side ahead, and an own goal from Rhyl's Murphy put them two clear, leaving Leighton Sumner's goal as mere consolation for their fellow North Walians.
Meanwhile, at the Morfa, Barry's opponents in the past two finals, Bangor, were also making progress at the second attempt. They defeated Conwy United 3-1 in the replay, with Lee Williams, Neil Wenham and Paul Mooney scoring Bangor's goals.
At the Deeside Stadium, Total Network Solutions continued their good cup form with a 3-1 win over Connah's Quay Nomads in their replay.
The other South Walian quarter-final involved our visitors today, who were at Cwmbran Town. It was Cwmbran's first game in the cup this year, but neither side was able to break the deadlock and the match ended goalless.
Caernarfon were at home in the other Northern quarter-final, and were very lucky to advance against Total Network Solutions. There was no score in the first half at the Oval, and the match looked to be heading for a draw before the Saints were awarded a 75th minute penalty. Gallager stepped up and scored from the spot to put his side ahead. However, T.N.S relaxed their grip on the game and six minutes later, Caernarfon captain Emrys Williams pulled his side level. The drama wasn't over though, as Paul McAndrew let fly with a wonderful shot to win the game for Caernarfon during injury time.
That goal means that Inter are our visitors this evening, and we avoid a repetition of last year's semi-final where we met Cwmbran, and defeated them 9-1 on aggregate over two legs.
The question on everyone's lips, though, is whether it'll be a third Bangor City v Barry Town Gilbert Cup final. Will it? Or will there be a new name on the Gilbert League of Wales Cup? Perhaps we'll find out the answer tonight.
the Yellow Dragon
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999
This article first appeared in the Barry Town Matchday Magazine, v Inter Cabletel, Gilbert League Cup semi-final, 02.03.99.
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