MATCH OF THE WEEKEND: Cookson Cup Final – Penmaenmawr beat holders Kinmel Bay on spot kicks after epic encounter

COOKSON CUP FINAL 2024-25

Penmaenmawr Phoenix 4 (Hold 38 & 45+4; Crossfield 53, McGoona 120)
Kinmel Bay 4 (C Jones 61, Morris pen 76, Walker 90+8 & 100)
(Penmaenmawr won 4-1 on penalties)

It will go down as a classic in North Wales football.
One of the matches of the season, if not the century so far.
It’s a very old cliche, but it really is a pity there had to be a loser.
However, someone had to win and it was Phoenix who lifted the Cookson Cup for the first time in their history, beating last season’s winners Kinmel Bay on penalties.
The final, played at Go Goodwins Stadium, Llandudno, was a stormer.
Pen led 3-0, Bay fought back for 3-3 and extra time, Kinmel edged ahead and Phoenix levelled with seconds remaining to force penalties.
And it was Aaron Keating’s side who were better from the spot.

THE ACTION

The opening 10 minutes were cautious, with neither side creating significant chances.
However, Kinmel Bay quickly settled and began to dominate possession. Sean Sheridan went close early on, but his effort flew just wide.
As the half progressed, Phoenix found their footing and started to create opportunities. James Hobson squandered a golden chance, shooting over the bar from just five yards out.
In the 38th minute, Pen broke the deadlock. Daniel Williams delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Adam Hold showcased his striking prowess by volleying the ball into the net.
Just before half time, in the 49th minute, Hold struck again, curling a beautiful shot into the top corner after receiving a delicate through ball from Ricky Jones, giving the Phoenix a commanding 2-0 lead. It was Hold’s 34th goal of the season.

HALF-TIME: Kinmel Bay 0 Penmaenmawr Phoenix 2

The second half saw Kinmel Bay make tactical adjustments, hoping to claw their way back into the match. However, Penmaenmawr continued to impress and extended their lead in the 53rd minute.
Hobson played a brilliant ball over the top for Harley Crossfield, who skillfully chipped onrushing keeper Ash Lavender from outside the box, sending the Phoenix supporters into a frenzy.
Bay responded in the 61st minute when Charlie Jones capitalized on a goal-line scramble following a free kick from Anthony Jones.

The Bay’s hopes grew when they were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute after a shot from outside the box struck Logan Williams’ arm. Prolific scorer Connor Morris stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, narrowing the deficit to 3-2.
With momentum on their side, Kinmel Bay continued to press, and Penmaenmawr faced a setback when Logan Williams received a second yellow card in the 73rd minute.
However, Kinmel also suffered when Anthony Jones was sent off for a second yellow in the 81st minute, leveling the numbers.
Deep into injury time, Kinmel found an equalizer. Substitute Tate Walker, unmarked at the back post, headed home a delightful cross from Matty Rees, sending the Kinmel fans into euphoria. Referee Craig Griffiths blew the whistle, and the match stood at 3-3, necessitating extra time.

FULL TIME: Kinmel Bay 3 Penmaenmawr Phoenix 3

EXTRA TIME

After an exhausting 90 minutes, both teams appeared fatigued as extra time began.
The first period saw a cagey battle, but 10 minutes in, Walker struck again for Bay, unleashing a rocket from 30 yards that dipped into the top corner.
As the second period commenced, Pen made tactical changes that revitalized their attack. They pressed hard for an equalizer, and with the clock ticking down, they found their breakthrough in the 120th minute. Scott McGoona rose highest to meet a corner whipped in by Hold, directing the ball into the corner of the net for his first-ever senior goal, leveling the score at 4-4.

AFTER EXTRA TIME: Kinmel Bay 4 Penmaenmawr Phoenix 4

PENALTIES

Penmaenmawr won the toss and opted to take the first penalty. Harley Crossfield stepped up and scored confidently.
Kinmel Bay’s Connor Morris matched him with a successful kick.
Adam Hold followed suit, putting the Phoenix up 2-1. However, Josh Parry of Kinmel Bay missed his penalty, blasting it over the bar.
Kyle Cooper then extended Penmaenmawr’s lead to 3-1. Matty Rees attempted to respond, but his shot was superbly saved by Penmaenmawr’s Elliot Jarvis.
In a moment of glory, veteran Jamie Jones stepped up for the Phoenix with the chance to seal the victory; he did so emphatically, scoring the final penalty and securing the Cookson Cup.

FINAL SCORE: Kinmel Bay 4 Penmaenmawr Phoenix 4 (Phoenix won 4-1 on penalties)

A thrilling final that showcased the skill, determination, and resilience of both teams. The Phoenix’s victory marked a historic moment for the club, while Kinmel Bay can be proud of their spirited performance. The match will be remembered for its dramatic twists and the unforgettable atmosphere created by the passionate fans.

COOKSON CUP LIST OF WINNERS

1948/49 Holyhead Town
1949/50 Holyhead Town
1950/51 Pwllheli
1951/52 Pwllheli
1952/53 Flint Town United
1953/54 Pwllheli
1954/55 No competition
1955/56 Borough United
1956/57 Caernarfon Town
1957/58 Borough United
1958/59 Blaenau Ffestiniog
1959/60 Nantlle Vale
1960/61 Blaenau Ffestiniog
1961/62 Bangor City Res
1962/63 Borough United
1963/64 Holyhead Town
1964/65 Llandudno
1965/66 Borough United
1966/67 Holyhead Town
1967/68 Holyhead Town
1968/69 Bangor City Res
1969/70 Blaenau Ffestiniog
1970/71 Bethesda Athletic
1971/72 Blaenau Ffestiniog
1972/73 Blaenau Ffestiniog
1973/74 Colwyn Bay
1974/75 Wrexham Res
1975/76 Porthmadog
1976/77 Wrexham Res
1977/78 Caernarfon Town
1978/79 Pwllheli & District
1979/80 Colwyn Bay
1980/81 Colwyn Bay
1981/82 Colwyn Bay
1982/83 Courtaulds Greenfield
1983/84 Colwyn Bay
1984/85 Bangor City Res
1985/86 Bethesda Athletic
1986/87 Bangor City Res
1987/88 Connah’s Quay Nomads
1988/89 Flint Town United
1989/90 Porthmadog
1990/91 Caernarfon Town
1991/92 Cemaes Bay
1992/93 Cemaes Bay
1993/94 Llangefni Town
1994/95 Llanfairpwll
1995/96 Denbigh Town
1996/97 Halkyn United
1997/98 Loco Llanberis
1998/99 Loco Llanberis
1999/2000 Llanfairpwll
2000/01 Llanfairpwll
2001/02 Bangor City Res
2002/03 Rhyl Reserves
2003/04 Rhydymwyn
2004/05 Bethesda Athletic
2005/06 Denbigh Town
2006/07 Denbigh Town
2007/08 Bethesda Athletic
2008/09 Bethesda Athletic
2009/10 Conwy United
2010/11 Denbigh Town
2011/12 Holyhead Hotspur
2012/13 Caernarfon Town
2013/14 Holywell Town
2014/15 Llanrug United
2015/16 Glantraeth
2016/17 Glantraeth
2017/18 Conwy Borough
2018/19 Llangefni Town
2019/20 Competition not completed
2020/21 Season void
2021/22 CPD Y Rhyl 1879
2022/23 St Asaph City
2023/24 Kinmel Bay
2024/25 Penmaenmawr Phoenix

COOKSON CUP – NUMBER OF WINS

5 – Holyhead Town; Blaenau Ffestiniog; Bangor City Res; Bethesda Athletic; Colwyn Bay

4 – Borough United; Caernarfon Town; Pwllheli; Denbigh Town;

3 – Llanfairpwll

2 – Flint Town United; Wrexham Res; Porthmadog; Cemaes Bay; Llangefni Town; Loco Llanberis; Glantraeth;

1 – Nantlle Vale, Llandudno, Courtaulds Greenfield, Connah’s Quay Nomads, Halkyn United, Rhyl Reserves, Rhydymwyn, Conwy United, Holyhead Hotspur, Holywell Town, Llanrug United, Conwy Borough, CPD Y Rhyl 1879, St Asaph City, Kinmel Bay, Penmaenmawr Phoenix