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rugbyunion, Admiral Welsh Division One
Bala Town v Connah’s Quay | Friday – 19:45 (S4C online) Essity Arena, Flint For the fifth time this season Bala Town will go head-to-head with Connah’s Quay, and with the last three meetings ending in draws after 90 minutes, it promises to be a real tight encounter. It ended 1-1 in the league fixture at the Deeside Stadium a fortnight ago, despite Harry Franlkin’s first-half dismissal for the Nomads. But it was Bala Town who were victorious in the Nathaniel MG Cup final back in late January, as the Lakesiders triumphed in the penalty shoot-out following the 90-minute stalemate. And there was another goalless draw between the two sides earlier in January, which proves that it’s near impossible to call which way this one will go on Friday night. There have already been five red cards shown in the four matches between these clubs this season, and the tie could come down to which team can control their discipline the best. Despite clashing on several occasions in recent years, this will be the first time these teams have met in the Welsh Cup since the 2014/15 fourth round, which incidentally also finished in a draw before Connah’s Quay went on to win on penalties. On 30 April 2017, Bala Town clinched their most momentous victory as their 2-1 Welsh Cup final coup against The New Saints allowed them to get their hands on the trophy for the first time in the club’s history. And a year later, Connah’s Quay repeated that feat in the 2018 final as they saw off Aberystwyth Town to get their first and only experience of lifting the trophy, Bala Town have beaten Hawarden Rangers, Flint Town United, Pontypridd United, and Briton Ferry Llansawel in the Welsh Cup this season, and having already bagged the Nathaniel MG Cup, the Lakesiders are setting their sights on a cup-double. Connah’s Quay have knocked out Denbigh Town, Colwyn Bay, Llanelli Town and Airbus UK to reach the semi-final stage for the fifth time in six attempts.
2023-03-25
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