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Early blitz sees Caernarfon beat Flint to win first Welsh Cup
TL;DR
Caernarfon Town won their first Welsh Cup by defeating Flint Town United 3-0, with a strong start that included an opening goal from Sion Bradley within the first 18 minutes of the match.
Welsh Cup
Caernarfon Town 3 - 0 Flint Town United FT
Sion Bradley, an unused substitute for TNS in last year's final, scored Caernarfon's opening goal against Flint [FAW]
Caernarfon Town secured their first Welsh Cup with a devastating opening 18 minutes proving decisive in a 3-0 win over Flint Town United in the final at Newport's Rodney Parade.
The Cofis took full control against their Cymru Premier rivals through goals from Sion Bradley, Matty Jones' free-kick and an Adrian Cieślewicz header.
Richard Davies' side have sealed their place in next season's Europa Conference League qualifiers, their second European appearance in three seasons.
Flint, who were looking to win the Welsh Cup for the first time in 72 years, will now turn their focus to securing JD Cymru Premier survival with one game of the season remaining.
Caernarfon showed their intent from the start and a cross from captain Danny Gossett was headed on by Zack Clarke, but Bradley fluffed his effort wide inside the opening two minutes.
Flint began to settle into the game, but Caernarfon went ahead after seven minutes
Good work by Josh Lock and Paulo Mendes set up Bradley, who wrong-footed the Flint defence and slotted past keeper Jack Flint for the opening goal.
Bradley continued to cause problems for Flint and was brought down by Elliott Reeves on the edge of the penalty area and from the resulting free-kick Jones scored with a curling effort which gave the goalkeeper no chance.
At the other end Mikey Burke's effort was blocked by Phil Mooney, but Caernarfon extended their lead when from a Jones corner, Cieslewicz's header crashed in off the crossbar and over the line to make it 3-0.
Stunned by the events of the opening 20 minutes, Flint responded and enjoyed a good spell of their own with Burke denied by Connor Roberts while Darren Stephenson's header struck the post.
For Caernarfon, Jones lined up another free-kick in a dangerous position, but his effort on this occasion was pushed onto the crossbar by keeper Flint.
Flint made another crucial save just before the interval to deny Caernarfon midfielder Lock, who was through on goal.
Matty Jones celebrates after scoring Caernarfon's second goal [FAW]
Cieślewicz capitalised on a mistake by substitute Jake Phillips but the six-time Welsh Cup winner just failed to connect with the ball.
Flint forced a series of corners, but failed to make them count while Flint gathered Mooney's shot at the second attempt.
A cross from Caernarfon substitute Rio Owen, on loan from Wrexham, set up Lock who had his shot smothered by keeper Flint before the danger was cleared.
Owen himself created an opportunity for himself a few minutes later only to blast his effort over the crossbar.
Caernarfon, seeing out the game, made a number of substitutions with the most significant being the introduction of veteran Darren Thomas.
It was fitting that Thomas, alongside captain and man of the match Gosset, lifted the Cup and mark a historic day for Caernarfon Town.
Teams
Caernarfon Town: Connor Roberts, Matty Jones, Phil Mooney, Paulo Mendes, Danny Gosset (Captain), Zack Clarke, Sion Bradley, Adrian Cieslewicz, Josh Lock, Kyle Harrison, Ryan Sears
Substitutes: Hari Thomas, Morgan Owen, Iwan Lewis, Adam Davies, Darren Thomas, Brad Young, Rio Owen
Flint Town United: Jack Flint, Ben Woollam, Mikey Burke, Sidi Fofana, Harry Owen (Captain), Jack Thorn, Ben Hughes, Elliott Reeves, Lee Jonas, Jake Canavan, Darren Stephenson
Substitutes: Dawid Szczepaniak, Jake Phillips, Ben Wynne, Josh Jones, Max Smith, Evan Smith, Alec Mudimu
Referee: Iwan Griffith
Attendance: 2,224
Q&A
What was the final score of the Welsh Cup match between Caernarfon and Flint?
The final score was Caernarfon Town 3, Flint Town United 0.
Who scored the opening goal for Caernarfon in the Welsh Cup final?
Sion Bradley scored the opening goal for Caernarfon in the Welsh Cup final.
When did Caernarfon Town last win the Welsh Cup before this victory?
This was Caernarfon Town's first Welsh Cup victory.
Where was the Welsh Cup final held?
The Welsh Cup final was held at Rodney Parade in Newport.
