The New Saints’ starting line-up for this afternoon’s FAW Youth Cup final. #TNSPEN | #FAWYouthCup pic.twitter.com/7A0izVStmO
— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) April 16, 2023
Goals: Dafydd (1, 42, 84), Palmer (79), O. Davies (90)
Yellow cards: Owen (2), Oakley (70)
Substitutions: McVeigh for Owen (46), R. Williams for Tirebuck (62), Davies for Beamond (81), Jones for Oakley (81)
Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Ashley Crowden/FAW
The New Saints lifted the FAW Youth Cup for a second consecutive season following a 5-2 victory against Penybont at Park Avenue.
Gwion Dafydd led his team to victory with a superb hat-trick, while Robbie Palmer and Owen Davies both got their names on the scoresheet.
Having won the trophy for the first time last season, the victory in Aberystwyth makes it back-to-back titles for the team from Oswestry.
It was the fastest possible start for The New Saints, who took the lead after just 35 seconds.
Gwion Dafydd was in the right place at the right time to connect with Reece Warder’s cross from the left, and the ball went in off the thigh of the TNS number nine.
With 16 minutes on the clock, the Bont had a great opportunity to hit back, but after stealing the ball from the feet of Jack Edwards, Jack Shaw failed to hit the target with the goal at his mercy.
The side from South Wales did hit back in the 38th minute though through a superb William Flay goal.
The Penybont number six sent a curling effort into the top right corner of the net from 25 yards out, giving goalkeeper, Edwards, no chance whatsoever despite his best efforts.
Things didn’t stay level for long, however, as just four minutes later, Josh Beamond caused problems on the edge of the penalty area, and Dafydd took advantage of the defensive confusion to curl a second goal of the day past the ‘keeper.
Leading 2-1 at the break, Simon Spender’s team came out firing in the second-half and could’ve extended their lead with 52 minutes on the clock.
It was a first-time instinctive finish from Beamond, but the TNS winger saw the effort cannon back off the left-hand post.
Six minutes later, there was another chance to score a third, but Josh Lock’s effort was cleared off the line by Sebastian Roles.
As the team from Bridgend searched for a way back into the match, Jack Edwards needed to be alert to deny Jenson Livick with a save down low in the 67th minute.
12 minutes on, there was a golden chance for Ryley Oakley to find the back of the net, but Lewis Taylor slid in to deny him with a goal-saving challenge.
But just a minute later, The Saints were finally rewarded for all of their attacking pressure, when Robbie Palmer connected with a Leo Fairclough cross and powered a diving header into the bottom corner of the net.
The holders took a firm grip of the game from that point onwards, and in the 84th minute, Dafydd completed his hat-trick following good work from Josh Lock.
There was still time for two further goals too, with substitute, Owen Davies making the score 5-1 with a chipped effort in the 90th minute, and Leo Roberts scoring a stoppage-time consolation for the Bont.
Final score: The New Saints 5-2 Penybont
It's all over at Park Avenue and The New Saints have won the FAW Youth Cup for the second consecutive season!#TNSPEN | #FAWYouthCup pic.twitter.com/8kvOXpXqxw
— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) April 16, 2023
