Celebrating Euron: Back-to-back Junior Cup successes for Felinheli (2012-13, 2013-14)

Euron Davies passed away recently at the far-too-young age of 46.

He was manager of CPD Y Felinheli from 2011-2024, leading the club from tier 6 on the Welsh football pyramid up to tier 3.

Grassroots North Wales remembers some of the great man’s biggest achievements at Cae Seilo, focusing here on when the club lifted the prestigious NWCFA Junior Cup twice in succession.

DOUBLE FOR DAVIES

The late Euron Davies led CPD Y Felinheli to back-to-back NWCFA Junior Challenge Cup wins in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

They were Felin’s first successes in the competition, achieved when they were members of the Caernarfon and District League.

In 2012-13, they finished league runners-up, then the following season were crowned champions as part of a treble. Now is around the time of the 10th anniversary of that second unforgettable season.

Grassroots North Wales attended both Junior Cup finals and here we relive both matches.

2012-13
CPD Y Felinheli 4 (T Davies, Faulkner OG, Griffith, Williams)
Menai Bridge Tigers 3 (Barker, L Williams 2)

A seven-goal thriller at Nantporth Stadium, Bangor, ended with Felinheli lifting the North Wales Coast FA Junior Cup for the first time in their history.

Friday night’s final in Bangor really came to life in the second half when six goals were scored in less than half an hour.

Anglesey League hopefuls Menai Bridge, aiming to win the trophy for a record ninth time, saw an effort from top marksman Lance Williams cleared off the line in the first minute, but after that Felinheli went on to dominate the opening 45.

Aled Griffith was a fraction away from converting a low Danny Hughes cross into the six-yard box before Carwyn Dafydd’s fierce strike from distance was tipped over the bar by keeper Dion Lewis.

Carwyn Dafydd failed to connect with a Sion Griffith corner when any sort of contact would surely have brought a goal, but then Tigers began to show their teeth.

Williams lashed a 20-yard shot wide before his cross from the left was just too high for the onrushing Dave Baston.

Andy Barker’s firm attempt then swerved away from the target after more good work from Williams.

The deadlock was broken on 34 minutes when Sion Griffith’s delivery from the left was glanced home by the head of the outstanding Tom Davies to give Felin a deserved half-time lead.

Half-time: Felinheli 1-0 Menai Bridge

Felinheli suffered a blow when midfielder Davies did not appear for the second half due to injury and Menai started to make their mark.

In the 50th minute Felin keeper Mark Jones fumbled Sam Faulkner’s shot and Gareth Barker toe-poked in the equaliser.

The all-reds were soon back in front, though, when the unfortunate Faulkner back-headed Aled Hughes’ free-kick into his own net.

Gruff John almost made it 3-1 when he nodded against the post and seconds later Danny Hughes blasted just wide.

Back came Menai and on 57 minutes a wonderful pass from Lewis Hughes picked out Lance Williams who dinked the ball over keeper Jones to level it.

In the 70th minute the blues went in front for the first time when Dylan Roberts found space and threaded a great through ball to Williams, whose unstoppable shot into the corner brought him a 59th goal in all competitions this term.

Felinheli refused to lie down, however, and the Cae Seilo side made it all square on 73 minutes when Menai failed to clear a corner and Aled Griffith drove in from close range.

The Anglesey aces responded positively, Dylan Roberts going close with an innovative free-kick, then Lewis Hughes and Barker not missing by much.

Felin grabbed the winner on 78 minutes, when Gwion Tegid’s pass released Alun Williams, whose superb first touch put him clear to lash home the decider.

Williams went so close to a hat-trick before Jones denied Roberts, but Felin could have sealed it when Carwyn Dafydd was through, only for Lewis to block at his feet.

After the match, Felinheli manager Euron Davies described the final as his most memorable moment in charge of the club to date.

He said: “Two of the best teams I reckon that have played at that level to go head to head in the final at Nantporth on a lovely Friday evening, Felinheli coming out on top. What more could I wish for?”

2013/14
CPD Y Felinheli 6 (G John 3, D Owen, T Davies, C Dafydd)
CPD Aberffraw 1 (M Jones)

Nantporth was again the venue for the final as Felinheli repeated their Junior Cup success of 2012-13, 12 months on.

Felin became the first side to succesfully defend the cup for 35 years after an emphatic performance in beating islanders CPD Aberffraw 6-1.

The match was over by half time after Dylan Owen had headed the opener for Felin with the aid of a deflection after 7 minutes.

Further first half goals followed by Man of the Match Tomos Davies (23), Gruff John (33) and Carwyn Dafydd (39) as the holders rattled up a 4-0 half time interval lead over a shell shocked Berffro.

Gruff John went on to add another two for Felin after the break to complete his hat-trick and credit to the Anglesey side, Mark Jones grabbed a consolation just after the hour mark.