With the JD Welsh Cup final on the horizon between Aberystwyth Town and Connah’s Quay Nomads, we take a look at five memorable finals from the past.
The competition is the third longest in the United Kingdom, with it starting in 1877. The last English team to win the competition before all were excluded was Hereford in 1990.
We will now take you through five memorable finals from time gone by as we build up to Sunday’s final, which is being hosted in Newtown.
Take a look at the five Cup finals from the past which we have chosen…
Barry Town United 2-1 Cardiff City, 1993/1994
The national stadium of Wales took centre stage as Barry Town United defeated holders Cardiff City, with all the odds stacked against them.
David D’Auria took the lead for the Linnets just moments before the break to give Barry a shock lead. Phil Stant equalised for the Bluebirds, but David Hough sent the Barry fans into absolute raptures with a winner as he fired home at the back post following a corner in front of a crowd of 14,500.
Barry Town United 2-2 Cwmbran Town (Barry win 4-3 on penalties), 2002/2003
This final was iconic for so many different reasons, as Cwmbran went ever so close to securing a famous Welsh Cup title. But the Linnets scored three minutes from time as Lee Jenkins scored to take the game into extra time.
It was no more than Kenny Brown’s side deserved as they won 4-3 on penalties, as Jon French scored the decisive penalty as the Linnets won an incredible third successive League and Cup double in Llanelli’s Stebonheath Park stadium.
Carmarthen Town 3-2 Afan Lido, 2006/2007
The Old Gold won the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history as a brace from Kaid Mohamed helped them to Welsh Cup success in front of a crowd of 946 in Llanelli.
The now Wales C manager, Mark Jones, spoke of his delight following their narrow win over Welsh League One outfit Afan Lido. He told the BBC: “I am proud of every supporter and every player,” as they defeated the Port Talbot-based club.
Bangor City 4-2 Llanelli Town (AET), 2007/2008
The Citizens defeated Llanelli Town in extra time after Chris Seargeant, who now plays for The New Saints struck late on to take the game into extra time.
Despite the Reds best efforts, Bangor’s quality shone through in extra time as goals from Marc Limbert and Karl Noon handed Neville Powell’s side Welsh Cup success at Latham Park.
Prestatyn Town 3-1 Bangor City (AET), 2012/2013
Incredible. Astonishing. Unbelievable. Prestatyn Town shocked 10-man Bangor City in the 2013 Welsh Cup final as extra time goals from Andy Parkinson and Jason Price’s second goal of the game stunned the Citizens.
It was the first time the Seasiders had tasted Welsh Cup success after a tremendous showing in extra time, which also booked their place in European competition for the 2013/2014 season.
(Featured image: NCM Media)
Eric Hall
The one that I would prefer to forget is Bangor City’s abject surrender to Barry Town in 2002