The Nomads progressed to a Semi Final clash with The New Saints in the JD Welsh Cup following a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Prestatyn Town on Saturday evening.

• Prestatyn 2-0 up at half time via Alec Williams and Ben Maher
• Nomads fought back to equalise with Kai Edwards and Wes Baynes scoring in the second half
• Michael Wilde scored decisive penalty to win shootout
• Nomads to face The New Saints in the Semi Final

The game was one of the biggest of both club’s seasons, with The Nomads eyeing the JD Welsh Cup as a possible route to Europe whilst Prestatyn Town, representing the second tier Huws Gray Alliance, won the trophy in 2013.
Nomads had George Horan out through suspension and Ryan Wignall cup tied, while the likes of Wilde, Woolfe and Davies led the line for The Nomads.

The live S4C game got underway and a tenacious and energetic Prestatyn side scored on six minutes when a low shot from Alec Williams cut past The Nomads defence and into the net via the right post.  Following the goal, The Nomads fought hard to find an equaliser, seeing a well executed lob from Michael Wilde hit the crossbar before the ball bounced on the line and was cleared away.

Prestatyn enjoyed a strong first half where they matched The Nomads for pace, giving them few chances on goal.  The home side were rewarded for their efforts when Ben Maher followed up on a saved free kick to double Prestatyn’s lead on 42 minutes.  At half time, Callum Morris and Sean Smith were replaced by Lewis Short and Matty Owen.

The Nomads reacted almost immediately at the start of the second half, when Kai Edwards latched onto a John Danby free kick to send a deft chip over Prestatyn’s goalkeeper Carl Jones and score on 47 minutes.  The Nomads were much stronger in the second half, creating a number of missed chances from Wilde, Davies and Woolfe who had a diving header cleared off the line.

?? Gôl! KAI EDWARDS!
Prestatyn 2-1 @the_nomads https://t.co/pfzQwvo9x2

— sgorio (@sgorio) February 25, 2017

Matty Williams came on for Nathan Woolfe in the 74th minute, and although The Nomads kept attacking the Prestatyn end, the equaliser came just seven minutes before the end of normal time.  Prestatyn keeper Jones came off his line to sweep a Nomads chance, however the ball fell to Baynes who sent a low shot at an open goal from 20 yards which trickled over to equalise, bringing The Nomads level and the game into extra time.

2-2!
Wes Baynes yn unioni'r sgôr | Wes Baynes with the equaliser for @the_nomads https://t.co/KfBJvuc5HN

— sgorio (@sgorio) February 25, 2017

The Nomads continued to assert their strength in extra time, with a Lewis Short long throw-in being cleared off the line after it was headed by Wilde.  Wes Baynes had a powerful effort accidentally blocked by his team mate Matty Owen, before Jay Owen sent a shot wide from around 10 yards.

The second half of extra time saw both teams battle with Prestatyn threatening The Nomads' area through Jordan Davies, but neither side could break the deadlock and the game went to a penalty shoot out decider.

Prestatyn had a dream start to the shoot out, going 2-0 up after Wes Baynes missed Nomads' first penalty. Danny Harrison brought it to 2-1 before John Disney netted for The Nomads.  Matty Williams stepped up to make it 3-3, but rattled the crossbar to jeopardise The Nomads’ chances.

In the game’s final twist, Prestatyn’s Jack Lewis missed what would have been the game-winning penalty, meaning Michael Wilde was able to take and send The Nomads through to the semi finals.

????Prestatyn 2-2 Gap Cei Connah (3-4 ar giciau o'r smotyn)
Wilde yn gyrru'r Nomadiaid i rownd gynderfynol Cwpan Cymru https://t.co/xwLsPQc3XS

— sgorio (@sgorio) February 25, 2017

The Nomads will face The New Saints in the semi finals at a date and venue to be confirmed. They now move onto a Dafabet Welsh Premier League game away at Bala on Friday 3 March for a 7:45pm kick off.

Match report by Will Catterall