The New Saints record the biggest Welsh Cup Final win in 92 years

2022-23 JD WELSH CUP FINAL

The New Saints 6
Bala Town 0

It was a grim day for North Wales soccer as Bala suffered the heaviest defeat in a Welsh Cup Final since 1930-31.

Not since Wrexham walloped Shrewsbury Town 7-0 in front of 8,868 at the Racecourse Ground 92 years ago had there been such a one-sided scoreline in the competition’s showpiece game.

Saints, who were beaten 2-1 at Bala in the 2017 final, certainly gained revenge as they made it three Welsh Cups in a row – and nine in all – with eventual ease at Nantporth, Bangor, in front of 1,231.

Until 1994-95, the Welsh Cup admitted all the best clubs in Wales.

But in 1995, the six Welsh clubs playing within the English football league system, Cardiff City, Colwyn Bay, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport County, Swansea City and Wrexham were barred from entering the competition by the FAW after pressure from governing body UEFA.

The “rebels” had rejected a transfer into the newly-formed League of Wales.

Since 1995-96, the national knockout has generally become a Welsh Premier League Cup Final, although Cefn Druids represented the Cymru Alliance in the 2011-12 showpiece.

Today’s final was a competitive affair in the first half and the very early stages of the second, after which the Saints ran away with it.

Declan McManus’ strike gave the Cymru Premier champions a first half lead

Two goals in the opening 11 minutes of the second half from Danny Redmond and Ryan Brobbel extended their advantage.

Substitutes Jordan Williams and Adrian Cieślewicz and Brobbel’s second brought up the half-dozen.