KINMEL Bay FC advanced to the Cookson Cup final after beating NFA 1-0 in a closely-fought match at Y Morfa on Saturday (February 17).

It was the second time in three weeks that the Bay had hosted NFA after they had come out on top in the league three weeks ago with a 4-3 win.

The game started fast, with both teams playing some brilliant football and some nice one-touch play.

NFA had a couple of corners early on, but didn't really test the Bay defence who were solid; Cole Rich defending with his head and Liam Jones clearing everything low down.

Bay crated a couple of chances, with Paddy Hamid running the midfield; he picked out a fantastic ball over to Owain Robert on the right wing who laid the ball off to Oli Gray.

Gray beat his player to run into the box and managed to get his shot off, only for Scott Williams in the NFA goal to get down low and push it out wide.

Connor Morris, who was now back after his suspension, capitalised on the wayward ball to try and round the NFA keeper who was adjudged to have brought him down in the box.

A penalty was awarded to Bay, and up stepped Morris, who dispatched it into the bottom left corner to put the hosts ahead with 20 minutes played.

Bay started to take control of the game with more great football, playing left to right looking for the gaps.

NFA had some great counter attacks down the left but unfortunately, they didn't materialise into clear chances.

The game started to get a little scrappy and NFA were putting pressure on Bay towards the end of the half, and they got their just rewards when the referee pointed to the spot for NFA.

Up stepped Niall McGuiness to take the spot kick, only to put it wide and keep the Bay’s lead intact at half-time.

The second half carried on in much the same vein, with good chances from both sides, but it was Bay who held strong and won everything NFA put forward.

The last 10 minutes were a bit shaky for Bay, with lots of pressure from NFA as they chased that one goal to force extra time, but to no avail.

With lots of shots going high and wide, Danny Mills in the Bay goal wasn't really troubled by much.

Bay held out until the 104th minute to take a slim 1-0 win and progress to the final, where they will face Llandudno Junction.