BALA Town’s ambitions of reaching the Welsh Cup semi-finals ended as Airbus UK struck early to reverse their 3-0 home defeat to the Lakesiders three weeks ago.

James Murphy put the hosts ahead after just seven minute, before a fine strike from Matty McGinn and a first goal for Kevin Monteiro put them in full control before the half-time interval.

Murphy had hit the woodwork in the opening minutes after a Chris Budrys effort had been blocked, but he was soon on the scoresheet whe beating Bala keeper Ashley Morris with a shot that found the net via the underside of the crossbar.

It got even better for the Wingmakers on 17 minutes when McGinn’s superb shot from the right dipped over Morris into the top corner.

With Airbus on top, Murphy’s shot from outside the box was also destined for the net, but Morris made a great save to force a corner.

Ian Kearney also headed over from a Ryan Wignall corner, and Kevin Monteiro saw his shot blocked after Tony Gray’s clever flick.

It took half an hour for Bala to have their first chance, as throughball by Keiran Smith led to Lee Hunt breaking free, but as he went one on one with keeper James Coates, he was ruled offside.

Coates then easily caught Smith’s cross after good work by Hunt - but Bala’s day was about to get worse.

Monteiro emphasised the home side’s first half dominance as he netted from 12 yards from Lee Owens’ cross for his first Airbus goal.

Gray could even have made it four before the break, but he fired over the bar from a good position.

Dave Thompson and Nathan Burke made way for Ryan Valentine and Ian Sheridan as Bala changed their tactics in the second half to get back in the game.

Things didn’t improve much, however, and despite facing a strong wind after the break, Airbus continued to enjoy most of the play.

Gray headed straight at Morris from a Wignall cross while it took two last ditch tackles to keep out Murphy.

Keeper James Coates made a point blank save from a Lee Hunt header as the visitors finally found their feet, but Wignall had a penalty shout at the other end as he went down under a challenge from two defenders.

Valentine’s long range effort for Bala was inches wide of the goal, although Coates had it covered, and Mark Jones tried a 25-yard volley that dipped over the bar.

At the other end, Wignall’s shot was deflected inches wide and sub Jay Owen found Budrys, who glanced a header wide of the target.

Bala’s Stuart Jones almost put the ball into his own net from a Gray cross and sub Liam Blake’s first touch from a Jordan Barrow corner went wide of the target.

Hunt sent a shot well over the Airbus goal and Conall Murtagh’s late effort was headed off the line as Airbus maintained a clean sheet and deservedly reached the last four where they will now face Port Talbot Town.

Bala will be looking to bounce back when they face Connah’s Quay on Friday night at Maes Tegid, and improvement is needed to ensure they are to keep themselves in a top two spot in the Welsh Premier League.

AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON: J Coates, L Owens, M Pearson, I Kearney, A Williams (J Owen 60), C Budrys (L Blake 84), M McGinn, J Murphy (J Barrow 81), K Monteiro, T Gray, R Wignall. Subs not used: B Jackson, K Jones (gk).

BALA TOWN: A Morris, A Stephens, S Jones, J Irving, C Murtagh, M Jones, N Burke (I Sheridan 46), D Thompson (R Valentine 46), M Hayes (M Connolly 67), K Smith, L Hunt. Subs not used: C Vernon (gk), W Bell. Attendance: 110. Referee: Kevin Parry.