Early blitz sees Caernarfon beat Flint to win first Welsh Cup
Caernarfon Town secure their first Welsh Cup with a devastating opening 18 minutes proving decisive in a 3-0 win over Flint Town United in the final in Newport.
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. JD Welsh Cup 2025-26 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.