ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 2 NEWTOWN 1

NEWTOWN’S cup dreams came to an end with semi-final defeat against Aberystwyth Town in Bala on Sunday.

The Robins huffed and puffed but were always chasing the game after Declan Walker followed up his first-half opener with a penalty shortly after the interval.

Despite dominating and reducing the arrears through Nick Rushton’s penalty the Seasiders dug in to claim their third final date in the past decade.

A tentative opening saw both sides struggle to create clear openings with Craig Hobson heading wide for Aberystwyth before Neil Mitchell curled wide for the Robins.

Newtown were undone on 22 minutes with a long ball from Joe Phillips bypassing midfield and releasing Matthew Jones on the right wing to cross for an unmarked Walker to head home.

Newtown should have levelled soon after only for Rushton to fluff his lines while clean through on goal to the relief of Seasiders goalkeeper Chris Mullock.

The Robins continued to dominate but lacked the cutting edge in the final third as the Seasiders defended their lines well.

Aberystwyth could have doubled their lead just before the break with Hobson racing through following another long ball from defence only for Ryan Sears to recover with a vital tackle despite the Aberystwyth bench appeals for a penalty.

However it would prove a brief reprieve and minutes into the second-half another long ball from deep was glanced on by Hobson for Ryan Wade to give chase only to be brought down in the area by goalkeeper Dave Jones.

Walker sent the travelling Seasiders support into frenzy by slotting home the resulting penalty.

To their credit the Robins refused to wilt and dominated the remainder of the game.

Rushton headed Ryan Kershaw’s right wing cross wide before getting back in the game with 20 minutes remaining.

Joe Kenton’s low left wing cross was handled by Ashley Young with Rushton converting the resulting penalty to give Newtown hope.

Sears and Luke Boundford both went close as captain Craig Williams peppered the Aberystwyth box with a flurry of crosses.

The Seasiders should have settled the contest when Fletcher was dispossessed by John Owen who broke through only to be denied by Jones but Aberystwyth had already done just enough to clinch their final place against Connahs Quay Nomads.

NEWTOWN: D Jones, Williams, Mills-Evans, Sears, Kenton, Denny, Mitchell (E Jones), Kershaw, Fletcher, Boundford, Rushton. Subs: Perry, Harries, Goodwin, C Williams,

Att - 502