A massive occasion for North Wales football takes place on Sunday when Kinmel Bay Under-15 Girls contest the 2023-24 Bute Energy Under-16 Welsh Cup Final.
Bay will take on Cardiff Wanderers U16 Reds in the showpiece game at Latham Park, Newtown, kick off 12.30 pm.
Treble-chasing Kinmel are having a magnificent season.
As well as reaching the national cup final, they will secure a play-off for the North Wales Girls League U15 Premier Division title with Penrhyn Bay if they beat Cemaes Bay on Wednesday, April 17.
And Kinmel are also into the semi-funals of the U15 League Cup, where Penrhyn Bay will be the opposition on Saturday, April 20.
Kinmel’s form in getting to the Welsh Cup final has been outstanding, beginning with a 6-2 win over CPD Merched Tref Caernarfon in the qualifying round, followed by a penalty shoot-out success versus the excellent CPD Henllan JFC Girls, a 5-0 whipping of Ystradgynlais in the quarters and an awesome 7-2 beating of Talycopa in the semis.
Super striker Lexi Walsh has hit 13 goals in four ties. Her total in all competitions is a stunning 65 goals in 17 games, including 44 in the league. Lexi, 15, has notched 12 hat-tricks, including eight goals in a single match, a seven and three sixes.
Hannah Topham
Lexie McEvoy (c)
Ella-Maisy Bucknall
Phoenix Carey
Evie Prior
Baileigh Aaron
Abbie Tonks
Molly Williams
Gracie Sutton
Scarlett Gregson
Lexi Walsh
Ella Jones
Kaila Stokes
Sep 3: CPDM Tref Caernarfon (h) 6-2 (Lexi Walsh 3, Baileigh Aaron 2, Molly Williams)
Oct 1: CPD Henllan JFC Girls Y16s (h) 1-1 (won on pens) (Baileigh Aaron)
Nov 26: Ystradgynlais AFC U16 Girls (h) 5-0 (Lexi Walsh 4, Baileigh Aaron)
Mar 3: Talycopa ADC U16 Girls (n) 7-2 (Lexi Walsh 6, Abbie Tonks)
Lexi Walsh 13
Baileigh Aaron 4
Molly Williams 1
Abbie Tonks 1
Kinmel Bay sit second in their league, with a spectacular 71 goals scored, thanks in no small part to Lexi Walsh – who has scored at least one goal in every match in every competition since mid-October, including six in the 7-2 semi-final win over Talycopa AFC U16s.
“Her ability to consistently find the back of the net not only boosts the team’s confidence but also provides them with a reliable source of goals,” says manager Frank Standing.
“However, it’s essential to recognise that while Lexi’s goals catch the eye, football is a team sport, and her success is a reflection of the team’s overall performance, including teamwork, strategy, and support from other players.”
The Kinmel Bay squad have been together for a long time, which goes some way to explaining their brilliant results this season as well as their strong chemistry.
Frank also puts it down to the kind of club Kinmel Bay is, describing the culture as “characterised by mutual respect, support, and a shared commitment to excellence, fosters an environment where players of all abilities feel valued, motivated, and empowered to perform at their best.”
He added: “It is more important that the girls enjoy the game and the whole experience of getting this far regardless of the result,”
The 2024 Bute Energy U16s Cup final between Kinmel Bay and Cardiff Wanderers takes place at Latham Park in Newtown on Sunday 14 April (KO 12:30).
Entry is £2 for adults and free for concessions. It is cash only on the gate and the price also covers admission to the FAW Youth Cup final later in the day.
2022/23: Barry Town United
2021/22: Cardiff City Ladies
2020/21: Barry Town United Ladies
2019/20: Final not played
2018/19: Penrhyn Bay Girls & Women
2017/18: Barry Town United Ladies
2016/17: Rhydyfelin
2015/16: Cardiff City Ladies
2014/15: Prestatyn Girls
2013/14: Caernarfon Town
2012/13: Cardiff City Ladies
2011/12: Cardiff City Ladies
2010/11: Information unavailable
2009/10: Information unavailable
2008/09: Cardiff City Ladies
2007/08: Cardiff City Ladies
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