Cardiff Wanderers and Pontypridd United head to The CCB Centre For Sport Excellence in Ystrad Mynach on Sunday 13 April for the 2025 Bute Energy U16s Cup Final (KO 14:00).
It was this time last year that Cardiff Wanderers claimed the trophy with a 4-0 victory over Kinmel Bay at Latham Park, Newtown. Ironically, the Wanderers defeated Pontypridd United in the Qualifying Round of the competition last season on their way to lifting the trophy, but they can expect a tougher test on Sunday against a team that has scored 35 goals on their way to the final.
Pontypridd United made their intentions clear back in November as they faced Ponthir AFC to begin the campaign. Eliza Keane scored an impressive seven goals while Lydia Earles registered a hat-trick in the 17-0 win. Libby Williams, Emily Parker and Sophie Holland all scored two goals each with Libby Emanuel also adding her name to the scoresheet.
Keane was again heavily involved against Berriew in the next round and helped herself to five goals to compliment a brace from Williams, while Parker and Ayla Harris completed the scoring in their 9-2 victory. Emanuel put Pontypridd one goal ahead at half-time against Llandudno in the next round and would complete her hat-trick as her team won 5-0, with Keane scoring twice after the restart.
Latham Park, Newtown would stage the semi-final against The New Saints. A hat-trick from Keane put Pontypridd in a strong position, but Grace Thomas responded with two goals for TNS before Emanuel made the game safe. The 4-2 win sealing Pontypridd United’s place in the final and a date with the holders.
Cardiff Wanderers began their defence of the trophy with a convincing 12-0 win over Canton. Elena Pennington and Elan Hall both claimed hat-tricks in the victory, Jaymie-Rose Powell and substitute Ava McCarthy scored two goals each while Aimee Cake and Aoibheann Ryan-Jones also found the back of the net as the holders took their first steps towards retaining the trophy.
Rosehill Community were the next opponents but a double from Pennington and further goal from Ryan-Jones, Hall and McCarthy once again from the bench made it a comfortable 5-0 victory. A tougher test came in the next round against Fairwater in January as the Wanderers found themselves two goals down at half-time. However, two more goals from Pennington levelled the tie before Hope Rees scored the winner.
The semi-final against Porth Harlequins took place at The CCB Centre For Sporting Excellence and the Wanderers once again found themselves behind after Scarlet Darch opening the scoring for Porth inside the first minute of the match. However, the holders responded through goals from Lexie Youdall, Hall and Cake to claim a 3-1 win and with it a place in the final for the second year in succession.
There will be no advance ticket sales for the final, with entry to The CCB Centre For Sporting Excellence on the day costing £2 for adults. Concessions go free.
