Caernarfon beat brave Rhyl 1879 to reach maiden Welsh Cup final – talking points

Caernarfon booked their place in the Welsh Cup Final for the first time in their history after a hard-fought battle with Y Rhyl 1879.

Goals from Brad Young and Zack Clarke were enough, despite Ben Lightfoot’s stoppage-time goal, which only acted as a consolation.

Caernarfon didn’t have it all their own way at the Blue Turtle Arena. For much of the first half, they struggled to break the deadlock, despite having most of the ball and creating a few clear-cut chances.

The second half saw Caernarfon show their class and quality as they capitalised on Rhyl’s missed opportunities from the first half. After dominating possession, Young and Clarke took their chances in the second period.

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 showed their quality

Rhyl came into this tie off the back of a quarter-final upset over Cymru Premier and European-chasing side Barry Town.

While the result wasn’t what they wanted today, Rhyl will leave Colwyn Bay with their heads held high, knowing they pushed a Cymru Premier side all the way and came up just short of a place in the final. They did manage to grab a consolation goal thanks to a screamer from Lightfoot.

Despite losing the game, Rhyl’s players, fans and staff will know they gave their all. Anyone who missed the tie and thought Caernarfon had it easy would be mistaken; that certainly wasn’t the story.

For large parts of the first half, Rhyl had plenty of possession and created a few clear-cut chances as they battled bravely, but some goalkeeping heroics from Connor Roberts prevented them from taking the lead.

Caernarfon look ahead to maiden final

After booking their place in the JD Welsh Cup final for the first time in their history with today’s victory, Caernarfon will now look ahead to the final at Newport’s Rodney Parade on Sunday, April 12th. Caernarfon will face Flint Town United, who booked their place in their first cup final since the 1953–54 season.

The Canaries know that this cup final, in just under a month, is a huge opportunity for them to win a piece of silverware as well as secure qualification for European competition.

They have qualified for Europe before through the league, but winning a cup they have never lifted before and having their day in Newport would be a unique experience. Caernarfon will be the favourites, having won four of the last six meetings and finished higher in the league, but anything can happen.

Caernarfon Town will, of course, be looking to make history at Rodney Parade, as they attempt to win this prestigious competition for the first time in both their own history and the competition’s 149-year history.

Brad Young shines again for Caernarfon

Former TNS starlet Brad Young is in fine form for Caernarfon at the moment, with four goals in his last three competitive fixtures, including the opener in today’s cup tie.

The Canaries will be hoping the 23-year-old forward can keep up this form for the remainder of the season as they look to secure a place in Europe among the elite. On top of this, Caernarfon will no doubt feel that while football is, of course, a team game, Young certainly increases their chances of victory in both league and cup competitions between now and the end of the season.

Daniel Gosset was also instrumental for Caernarfon in midfield today, helping secure victory for the Canaries. While he didn’t score, he was crucial in keeping Rhyl away from his team’s goal and proved to be one of the most creative players on the pitch.

A big crowd at The Blue Turtle Arena

Caernarfon Town and CPD Y Rhyl 1879 played at the Blue Turtle Arena in front of 2,061 spectators. With the stadium being in Colwyn Bay and neither team being the host, a full house was always unlikely, but both Rhyl and Caernarfon still showed massive support for their sides in today’s fixture.

North Wales football fans can be proud and excited to know that one of their teams will lift this prestigious trophy, making the cup a new winner when the final is played at Rodney Parade.

Caernarfon and Flint fans will now, of course, be making travel arrangements as they look forward to heading down to Newport to support their teams in what promises to be an exciting cup final.

Whilst it may be a long road to Newport, with two North Walian sides contesting the final, April’s showpiece will be exciting. Caernarfon have a sizeable fan base, who should enjoy making a weekend of it down South.