Connah’s Quay Nomads U19s were crowned national champions of the JD Cymru Premier Development League after beating Briton Ferry Llansawel U19s on penalties at Park Avenue on Sunday.
The young Nomads lost a shootout to Taffs Well in last year’s final, so there was a sense of redemption as they held their nerve from 12 yards following a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes.
Gareth Richards’ side, who won 22 of their 24 matches on the way to lifting the JD Cymru Premier Development League North title, started the brighter side as Jack Burman and Luca Hogan caused their opponents problems.
In the 19th minute, Burman broke away and squared for Hogan but his effort went just wide. As the first half wore on, Briton Ferry goalkeeper Jake Stephens was called into action to deny both players within the space of two minutes.
Ferry ended the half with a couple of opportunities of their own, most notably when Jasper Payne – who scored three times for the club’s first team this season – forced a strong save from Nomads stopper Hughie Foulkes.
The game turned into a cagier affair in the second half, with some strong defending on both sides to keep the game goalless. Hogan curled an effort wide in the last 10 minutes, while Ferry almost won the tie in stoppage time but Foulkes produced an excellent double save.
Extra-time produced very little in the way of chances and a penalty shootout soon became inevitable. Nomads substitute Dylan Evans saw a shot blocked late on, but it would be spot-kicks which decided the national champion.
A mammoth shootout followed, finishing 4-4 after five penalties each and then 9-9 after all 11 players had taken one – with the two goalkeepers both missing.
After Hogan had scored for the second time for Nomads, goalkeeper Foulkes was the hero as he saved Rio Dyer’s effort to secure the trophy for the Flintshire side.
Briton Ferry Llansawel U19s: Stephens, Hutin, Hughes (Demery 77’), Parker (Hillier 78’), Logan, Bates, Wright, Woods (Dyer 59’), Payne, Perkins (Davies 82’), Ace
Connah’s Quay Nomads U19s: Foulkes, Hogan, Farley, Cooper, Burman, Ellis (Evans 90’), Bennett, Nash, Sodhi (Davies 37’), Vaughan, Wissett
