The NEWFA Under 12 Cup Final
played at BRYMBO SPORTS COMPLEX on Tuesday 11th May
On another fine night at The Crick, the sun shone down on Buckley Town as they completed a hat-trick of victories in this years NEWFA Finals, a quite extraordinary achievement as they added this one to their Under 16's and First XI victories last week.
Penycae were hoping to erase the memory of defeat at The Racecourse in the League Cup nine days earlier, but unfortunately for them, they were up against a well organised Flintshire team. The first chance fell to Buckley as the ball was crossed in from the left, the Penycae keeper, Jack Edwards saved at the feet of the onrushing forwards, unfortunately Edwards injured his left knee in the process. Penycae did start off the stronger though, and the games early chances went to them, after seven minutes George Roberts went close with a speculative shot that flew over the bar. Five minutes later Rakim Newton showed great composure by beating three players and shooting from 20 yards, Rhys Evans-Jones saved well but the ball landed at the feet of Josh Valentine who finished from an acute angle to put Penycae one-nil up. After fifteen minutes Edwards in the Penycae goal finally succumbed to his earlier injury after bravely trying to carry on, he was replaced by Connor Wright.
Buckley now realised it was going to be a tough night and began to press, Joe Shone did well to rob a defender on the goal line and crossed low and hard along the six yard box, it only needed a touch, but it evaded two Buckley attackers. After 24 minutes Buckley Town drew level. A long ball beat the Penycae defence and Buckley's Joel Sampson controlled and took it forward, before unleashing a great shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Into the second half and this time it was Buckley who first to settle, and they pushed forward looking to gain the lead, and this came after 11 minutes of the second period following a terrific run down the left by Sam Reilly, he was felled in the box as he beat his defender. Mr. Roberts had no alternative but to point to the spot, up stepped Sampson to double his tally for the night. Both teams continued to press in search of a goal to no avail. Defences were now on top and chances were few and far between although Penycae did come closest in the last minute, just as the ribbons were being tied on the Cup!!
The final whistle blew with Buckley victorious, but Penycae proud in defeat. Both teams shook hands at the end of a very sporting contest. Well done boys. Thanks once again to everyone at Brymbo FC for their wonderful hospitality - as usual - and to NEWFA Officials Mr. Brian Johnson (Chairman) and Mr. Ken Hughes (Secretary) for presenting the trophies.
Buckley Town: Rhys Evans-Jones, Tom Peters, Matty Hewitt, Keiron Hughes, Dylan Tyrrell, Rhys Jones, Sam Reilly, Niall Lewis, Nathan Williams, Joe Shone, Joel Sampson.
Subs: Danny Shaw, Scott Jones, Macauley Ellis, Aled Bellis.
Penycae: Jack Edwards, Efan Jones, Sam Huxley, George Roberts, Dylan Derbyshire, Michael McNee, Josh Valentine, Dewi Reeves, Cain Williams, Rakim Newton, Jack Williams.
Subs: Ashley Bartlett, Kevin Evans, Callum Hughes, Connor Wright.
Referee: S. Roberts Assistants: T. Winsper and J. Jones
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