Substitutions proved key as Pontypridd United lifted the Bute Energy U16s Cup after a 2-1 victory over last season’s winners Cardiff Wanderers.
After a goalless first half, Ayla Harris was introduced at the break for Ponty and found the opening goal on 56 minutes. There was an immediate response from Wanderers however as Hope Rees equalised six minutes later.
14-year-old Ene Audu would prove to be the hero for Pontypridd as she came off the bench in the 66th minute and scored the winning goal just a minute later.
“It was always going to be a really, really close game,” Pontypridd United coach Louisa Hayhurst said.
“It was tight, it was exciting and I’m just so proud of the resilience that we showed to shut them down because we know that they’re phenomenal in what they do. That’s the first time since under 10s that we’ve ever beaten Cardiff Wanderers.
“We’ve got girls today who have played in the under 19s, then we’ve got Libby Emanuel who was on the pitch in the Adran South last week, which shows that this pathway is working.”
Cardiff Wanderers
Kerbey (Saunders, 65), Birnage, James (C), Gaudet, Hall, McCarthy, You’ll, Cake, Pennington, Rees and O’Hare (Coomer, 59).
Goals: Rees 62’
Pontypridd United
Basalu, Parker, James, Simmonds, Earles (Harris), Davies (David, 64), Emanuel, Keane (C), Gladwyn (Audu, 66), Rutter and Williams.
Goals: Harris 56’, Audu 67’
