Saints bid to stop Swans claiming FAW Youth Cup record
Domestic
16 April 2019

Saints bid to stop Swans claiming FAW Youth Cup record

Swansea City will be aiming to lift the FAW Youth Cup for the tenth consecutive year on Wednesday, 17 April when they take on The New Saints in the final at Park Avenue (7.30pm).

The New Saints v Swansea City

FAW YOUTH CUP

  • Wednesday, 17 April 2019
  • Park Avenue, Aberystwyth 
  • KO 7:30pm
  • Coverage: Live on FA Wales Facebook

Oli Cooper was the semi-final hero for Swansea City as his solitary goal proved to be the difference in a narrow victory over rivals Cardiff City.

Now the side managed by Anthony Wright and Alan Tate will be out to make history and claim the cup for an unprecedented tenth season in a row. However, The New Saints are a club synonymous with domestic success at senior level, and this challenge is one they have been waiting for.

“We feel we should be competing against the likes of Cardiff City and Swansea City so it will be great to see how far we've actually come,” explained Saints manager Steve Benyon.

Goals from Tomas Williams and James Parry were crucial for the side in the 2-1 victory over Cardiff Met in the semi-final, but it was the manner of the 5-1 victory over an impressive Cefn Druids side in the previous round that really emphasised the credentials of the Saints.  

“We had a game plan for Druids,” Benyon added. “It was based on the previous game and personnel changes which the players executed perfectly. I feel we were head and shoulders the better team on the day and recent performances have also been very positive.”

Meanwhile, captain Lewis Dutton reflected the confident mood in the camp following the semi-final win. “It was a great win for us. We did what we needed to do. It will be a tough game against Swansea City in the final, but our heads are up after the semi-final, and we just want to carry on this form now.” 

Victories over Aberystwyth Town, Merthyr Town and Cardiff City booked Swansea City yet another FAW Youth Cup final appearance. “It’s a competition we take seriously every year,” explained Wright to the club's official website following the semi-final victory.

“We don’t play in many competitions throughout the season, so we always pinpoint this one and want to win it. Cardiff had their strongest team out and we did the same, which goes to show how important it is to us.”

Swansea City claimed the cup last season with a penalty shoot-out victory over Cardiff City at the Liberty Stadium.