Merlins Bridge 5

Clarbeston Road 2

MERLINS Bridge eased to a comfortable Senior Cup victory over Division Two outfit Clarbeston Road at a blustery Racecourse.

In the final analysis the Division One outfit had too much firepower for The Road to cope with despite the visitors giving a decent account.

Stephen McNabney broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when his well struck edge of the area direct free-kick went beyond the reach of Clarbie and former Wizards’ keeper Gary Thomas.

Nathan Greene double the Wizards lead in the 35th minute, the striker nodding in a Simon Thomas corner.

The visitors were given a glimmer of hope when Jason Griffiths scored following a rebound. Richard Bevan’s powerful shot hit the crossbar and Griffiths buried at the second time of asking.

Peter Thomas added a third for the Wizards, the midfielder rifling his shot into the roof of the met following a corner.

The Wizards added two further goals in the 82nd and 84th minutes to put this tie out of reach. Matthew D’Ivry danced through the poor Road tackling from halfway, and then substitute Jordan Raymond got on the end of Paul Thomas’ cross from an easy tap-in.

The visitors had the final say as Bevan drilled past Carl Woodhouse for a consolation goal.

The Wizards have reached the last four and it was ten years ago they last won the cup, but their last appearance in the final was in 2010, when they lost 3-1 against Goodwick United

Merlins Bridge: Carl Woodhouse, Paul Thomas, Nathan Thomas, Dave Rees, Dai Davies, Simon Thomas, Matthew D’Ivry, Peter Thomas, Stephen McNabney, Nathan Greene, Daniel Bryce. Subs: Jon Sable, Jordan Raymond, Lee Hudgell.

Clarbeston Road: Gary Thomas, Ricky Maskell, Dan Rees, Matthew Fox, Jack Wood, Matthew Lloyd, Simon Owens, Roger James, Jules Ward, Richard Bevan, Jason Griffiths. Subs: Matthew Griffiths, Liam Brown, Llewellyn George.

Referee: Kevin Bowen.