Park Avenue in Aberystwyth will host the 2025 FAW Youth Cup Final on Sunday 6 April (KO 13:00) as Caernarfon Town and Haverfordwest County both look to lift the trophy for the first time.
Hari Lambe has been the star man for Caernarfon Town in the competition this season as the 16-year old has scored in every round on their way to the final. His performances have also seen him earn opportunities in the senior team and he made his JD Cymru Premier debut against Cardiff Met last month.
Meanwhile, Dan John scored three times for Haverfordwest in the early rounds, and converted from the spot in both the quarter-final and semi-final penalty shoot-out victories to book their place in the final.
The road to the final started for Caernarfon at home to Cardiff Met back in October as goals from Lambe and captain Osian Evans sealed a 2-0 victory. The Cofis then came from behind with second half goals from Owain Williams and Lambe to defeat 10-man Penybont 2-1 away from home in the next round.
A quarter-final match against Connah’s Quay Nomads finished 3-3 after goals from Owen Roberts and a double from Lambe sent the tie to penalties, and Caernarfon Town would seal their place in the last four as Osian Ellis, Lambe, Ioan Williams, Osian Thomas, Gwion Parry and substitute Guto Parry all scored in the shoot-out to claim a 6-5 win.
Park Avenue would host both semi-finals as the Cofis booked their place in the final with a 3-1 win over Newport County. There was no surprise to see Lambe open the scoring midway through the opening half, but Cameron Egan equalised for County, the side who eliminated holders Briton Ferry Llansawel in the previous round. However, Caernarfon restored their advantage through Harri Wyn just a few minutes after the restart, and Roberts completed the 3-1 scoreline late in the match.
Haverfordwest County’s journey in the competition almost ended in the opening round as they found themselves 1-0 down at home to Canton through a goal from Shane Hill. However, Dan John made his first impression on the competition by scoring in the 66th and 70th minute of the match to seal a 2-1 win. Graig Villa Dino were then brushed aside 6-1 through goals from John, Sean Richards and doubles from Samuel Vaughan-Harries and Kyle O’Sullivan.
There were plenty of goals again in the next round as Carmarthen Town were defeated 8-3. Vaughan-Harries was the hero on the day, completing his hat-trick with a late penalty, while Luc Owen, Osian James, Harri John, substitute William Hughes and an own goal from Carmarthen Town’s Sam Jones rounded-off an dominant performance from the home side.
Tougher tests would follow as penalties were needed to see off the challenge of Caerau Ely in the quarter-final. Goals from Cameron Cridland and Ashley Watkins were not enough as Caerau Ely equalised late in the match through captain Adam Newton. However, the Bluebirds claimed a 5-3 win in the shoot-out as Kristers Kudrjavcevs, John, Vaughan-Harries, James and O’Sullivan held their nerve to take their place in the last four.
John would again make a big impression in the semi-final as he scored the 84th minute equaliser to make it 1-1 against Newtown and force another penalty shoot-out. James, John, Watkins, O’Sullivan, Owen and Jack Nicholas all scored, but it was the heroics of goalkeeper Corey Mathias that denied Robins defender Tom Spencer at the final penalty to ensure Haverfordwest County would reach the FAW Youth Cup Final for the first time with a 6-5 victory.
This will be the 34th FAW Youth Cup Final since the competition began in 1990. Since then Swansea City have appeared in a record 19 finals, winning the trophy 13 times, while Wrexham are the only previous club from North Wales to have won the FAW Youth Cup, lifting the trophy four times in the 1990’s.
There will be no advance ticket sales for the final, with entry to Park Avenue on the day costing £2 for adults. Concessions go free.
