Promotion and cup double for Aston Park Rangers!
2025-26 NEWFA TROPHY FINAL
Aston Park Rangers 3 (Redfern 39, Fox-Cody 80 and 88)
CPD Yr Wyddgrug 0
Two late goals from 17-year-old sub Jack Fox-Cody ensured Aston Park Rangers were crowned winners of the first-ever NEWFA Trophy competition.
In just his second senior appearance, Fox-Cody wrote his name into the history books with a match-clinching double at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium in Broughton.
Having finished runners-up in North East Wales League Division 2 this season, thus securing promotion, Aston added a massive bonus by lifting a brand new trophy.
From the first whistle, Aston played like a team determined to write their own chapter.
Rangers flew out of the blocks, Jack Woodward threading a gorgeous ball through to Kallum Pierce, who whipped a dangerous cross across the face of goal, but no-one could apply the finishing touch.
Moments later, James Redfern slid the ball past Wyddgrug keeper Matthew Blunden, only for a defender to hook it off the line.
In the eighth minute Pierce was brought down, and from the free‑kick Rhys Jones sent in a cross‑shot that Blunden tipped onto the bar.
After spells of attack-minded persistence came the breakthrough Aston deserved on 37 minutes.
The ball was worked wide to Mason Lowery, and he delivered perfectly into the box. Redfern arrived, composed, clinical, and guided the ball into the far corner.
Half-time: CPD Yr Wyddgrug 0–1 Aston
Yr Wyddgrug began the second half strongly, but Aston keeper Jake Bennion was in solid form.
APR responded when young sub Fox‑Cody beat his man and curled a teasing ball to the back post, but Lowery couldn’t quite stretch far enough.
In the 66th minute, Yr Wyddgrug were presented with a golden one-on-one chance, but were unable to take it.
Aston rallied before the moment came that changed everything.
In the 80th minute a long throw from Lowery caused chaos, sub Goss Quinn flicked it on with an unorthodox header and the ball dropped to Fox‑Cody, who reacted instinctively and poked it past the keeper.
The 88th minute brought the icing on the cake for Rangers.
A long ball forward caused panic, Blundem rushed out to clear, but smashed it straight into a tangle of Quinn and Fox‑Cody.
The ball dropped kindly, and Fox-Cody found himself staring at an empty net, gratefully accepting the chance to make it 3-0 and clinch the cup.
Special Mention
Mason Lowery — electric all evening, an assist, countless nutmegs, and relentless wing play.
Man of the Match
Jack Fox‑Cody — the young game‑changer.
ASTON PARK RANGERS
Jake Bennion, Matthew Dixon, Rhys Jones, Christian Williams, Jack Woodward, Andy Cook (c), James Redfern, Kallum Pierce, Mason Lowery, Thomas Barbet, Dougles McDonagh. Subs used: Jack Fox-Cody, Lewis Jones, Kieran Green, Goss Quinn. Sub: Matthew Leedham.
CPD YR WYDDGRUG
Matthew Blunden, Ruari Wood, Aled Proffitt, Stephen Wilson (c), Elgan Skillander, Leon Sumner, Tomos Cumming, Henry Jones, Gethin Thomas, Hamilton John, Alun Wilson. Subs used: Luke Owen, Aaron North, Romaine Halfpenny-Williams, Taylor Morris, Kyle Buttlin
ATTENDANCE: 331