The New Saints and Caernarfon Town will contest the 35th FAW Youth Cup Final on Sunday 5 April, when the two sides meet at the Go Goodwins Stadium in Llandudno (KO 14:30).
The teams are no strangers to each other having met in the FAW National Academi Development League at the end of last month with The New Saints claiming a 3-0 win. Caernarfon Town reached the final last season but suffered a 2-1 defeat to Haverfordwest County, while The New Saints lifted the trophy in 2022 and again in 2023.
Caernarfon Town have enjoyed home advantage in every round of the FAW Youth Cup this season, while Charlie Griffith has headlined their route to the final. Griffith has scored eight goals in the competition so far, adding his name to the scoresheet in every round.
The campaign began with a comfortable 4-1 win over Panteg in November as Griffith, Jack Jones, Gwion Parry and substitute Hari Roberts made light work of their opponents. A resounding 7-1 win over Newport Corinthians followed a month with Griffith scoring twice along with goals from Osian Ellis, Osian Thomas, Iwan Jones, Guto Parry and Jack Wiliams.
A 5-1 win over Undy AFC in February saw Griffith score a hat-trick with Caron Williams and Owen Roberts also on target for the young Cofis. Barry Town United, losing finalists in 2024, would stand between Caernarfon Town and a successive final appearance as the two teams met at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium on St. David’s Day.
Griffith once again proved to be star player in the capital as he scored twice in quick succession to give his side a two-goal lead at half-time. Joseff Bourner did reduce the deficit for Barry Town United with less than 10 minutes remaining, but Caernarfon Town sealed a 3-1 victory in added time as Griffith turned provider for Osian Ellis to score his second goal of the season.
In contrast to their opponents, The New Saints have played four of their five FAW Youth Cup matches this season away from home. Prince Agyemang was the hat-trick hero in their opening 7-1 win at Broughton United in October with further goals from Ellis McCue, Huw Edwards, Lewis Wynne and Alfie Webb completing the convincing win.
More goals followed in November as the side put 10 past Ely Valley without reply. Agyemang, Edwards and Oliver Large all scored twice with Alfred Cartwright, Oliver Cameron, Charlie Horton and Oliver Mirceta-Jones also getting in on the action. A tougher test against Pure Swansea followed in December, but after going a goal behind, Webb and Jack Sutcliffe confirmed their progress to the quarter-final.
A difficult trip to Connah’s Quay Nomads was the reward for the Saints, but opening half goals from McCue and Alex Thompson set the tone. The Nomads pulled themselves back into the match through Freddie Redshaw just before the hour mark, but a late goal from Brandon Wust made it 3-1 and setup a semi-final tie with Cardiff Met at Park Hall.
An early goal from Cartwright for the Saints was followed up by a penalty from Brodie Summers. Although Harrison Matthews and then captain Oli Good failed to convert from the penalty spot for Met, they did eventually score through Josh Stephens. Summers’ second goal in added time for the Saints completed the 3-1 win. However, he was then shown a second yellow card and sent off for the resulting celebration.
This will be the 35th FAW Youth Cup Final since the competition began in 1990. Cardiff City won that inaugural final with a 5-0 win over Swansea City at Penydarren Park, Merthyr. However, Swansea City have appeared in a record 19 finals, winning the trophy 13 times including an unprecedented ten times in a row between 2010 and 2019.
The New Saints are appearing in the FAW Youth Cup final for the sixth time. The club won the trophy in consecutive seasons in 2022 and 2023, but before that double success they were runners-up in 2012, 2014 and 2019, losing to Swansea City each time. Caernarfon Town are making their second appearance at the final having lost out last season.
There will be no advance ticket sales for the final, with entry to the Go Goodwins Stadium, Llandudno on the day costing £2 for adults. Concessions are free.
