Nathaniel MG Cup final: Bala Town 0-0 Connah's Quay Nomads (Bala win 4-3 on penalties)

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Bala Town's Naim Arsan and Connah's Quay Nomads Josh WilliamsImage source, FAW
Image caption,

Connah's Quay Nomads are currently second in the Cymru Premier, while Bala Town are fourth

Bala Town beat Connah's Quay Nomads 4-3 on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes to lift the Nathaniel MG Cup.

In a fiery contest at The Rock, Bala's Lassana Mendes was sent off for throwing the ball into the crowd before Nomads' George Horan was given his marching orders for a late tackle.

George Newell came closest to breaking the deadlock but his first-half effort crashed back off the upright.

Alex Ramsay saved Michael Wilde's final penalty to seal the win for Bala.

Nomads came into the final on the back of a 21 game unbeaten run in all competitions, and were looking to win a third successive Nathaniel MG Cup.

However Bala were hoping it would be third time lucky for them, having previously lost in the final in 2014 and 2015.

Chances were few and far between for both sides, though Newell did rattle the post midway through the first half.

The game burst into life in the final minutes of the first half, Mendes was shown a straight red for throwing the ball at a spectator before Ramsay made two big saves from Jack Kenny and Wilde to keep it 0-0.

Bala had the better of the second half despite their numerical disadvantage but could not carve out any clear-cut chances.

Both sides finished with 10 men as Horan put in a late tackle on former Wales midfielder Dave Edwards - who was playing in his first ever cup final.

Neither side could find a late winner as the final was decided by penalties.

Both teams were successful with their first attempts before Edwards and Harry Franklin were off target from the spot.

The next five attempts were all converted before Ramsay dived low to his right to save a tame final penalty from Wilde to seal victory for Bala.

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