Cup Final victory for Kinmel Bay FC.

Cup Final victory for Kinmel Bay FC.

Cookson Cup Final Saturday 27th April Kinmel Bay Vs Llandudno Junction at Central Park, the home of Denbigh Town. 

Kinmel Bay made history on Saturday by winning their first ever Cookson Cup in a thrilling 1-0 victory. 

Photos by Barry Griffiths.

Barry Griffiths from Kinmel Bay FC has forwarded a match report from his club colleague Leon Field, and he confirmed the progress and delight of his club as they lifted the trophy : "In my humble view insight into the massive efforts made by all in the team, coaches, and managers, in aspiring to these standards." 

The day started well for Kinmel Bay with a well-prepared team breakfast hosted by The Kinmel & Kinspa where all the players and management met up. 

During breakfast Andy and Leon went through the starting line up before we all travelled in convoy over to Denbigh Town's Ground, all our preparations were complete ahead of this eagerly anticipated game. 

Nerves had set in at this point, so the lads relaxed by walking the pitch chatting amongst themselves to loosen up. 

A great warmup from Andy and Leon set the tone and the lads were really looking fired up and ready to take on their friends from Llandudno Junction in a tie that had seen both teams win against each other in the two league games this season to make it even at one win a piece. 

The game started and both teams flew out of the blocks both looking to score a quick early goal, both sides were trading blows, the first real attack with promise fell to Kinmel Bay who nearly had the lead but Tomos Evans made a great save. 

By the 25th minute Kinmel Bay had started to get a foot hold of the game playing some good passages of play and creating a lot of opportunities for Nyal Hughes who was pulling all the strings feeding Kinmel Bays forward line of Oli Gray Connor Morris and Tate Walker. 

Another attempt at goal was again saved well by Tomos Evans only to be parried into the path of Tate Walker who couldn’t quite angle his effort into the goal. Kinmel Bay’s defence consisting of Liam Jones, Ash Wood, Daniel Wickerson, and Ben Cawley was holding firm cancelling out the attacks from Dean Seager and David Maddock both Llandudno Junction lads were strong and knew how to hold up the play and turn the opportunity into attack, but the defence held firm with the carefully watching eye of Danny Mills in goal. 

Unfortunately, this would be the last save Tomos Evans would have to make as he went off injured from his heroics and everyone at Kinmel Bay would like to wish him a speedy recovery. 
On the 73rd minute Dean Roberts replaced Mike Williams and Tomos Rhys-Williams replaced Dan Prince for Llandudno Junction, which forced Kinmel Bay into their first change of the afternoon with Jacob Jones replacing Tate Walker. 
As a Club we would like to thank everybody involved who makes Kinmel Bay a great Family club this includes all the spectators who came down to support and to all our sponsors who make it possible for us to function every season because without all of this it wouldn't be possible.

This concluded the end of the 1st half and both teams were happy to go in 0-0 with further instructions to be implemented by both team managers. 

The second half restarted and it was Kinmel Bay that showed the earlier signs of promise when Patrick Hamid tried his luck from 25 yards out but it went well wide.

On the 56th minute Mason Richards thread a perfectly weighted through ball for Patrick Hamid to chase in on goal, but the heroic efforts from Tomos Evans again in goal managed to buy some time for Kieran Edwards to get back and clear the ball off the line. 

A change to Junction’s shape and no doubt game plan caused Centre Back Stephen O'Neill to step into the role of Goalkeeper, with Jack Nettleton replacing the injured Tomos Evans. 

At the restart Kinmel Bay shifted the ball from right to left before Connor Morris unleashed an effort that hit the cross bar, the Ball was recycled by Nyal Hughes who then played a great ball into Patrick Hamid who on the edge of the box fired across the goal only for the ball to hit the upright and it was Oli Gray who reacted first and cut back inside before unleashing a 20-yard beauty that left Stephen O’Neil rooted to the spot; 1-0 to Kinmel Bay and Oliver Gray pulls off a backflip to celebrate and send the fans into ecstasy. 

This re-galvanised Llandudno Junction and for the next 10 minutes Kinmel Bay had their backs against the wall as Llandudno Junction pushed hard for an equaliser. 

Tomos Rhys-Williams was making an instant impact causing Kinmel Bay all sorts of problems with his pace and quick delivery. Dan Roberts picked the ball up in midfield and threaded an inch perfect pass to Dean Seager who on the 83rd minute was brought down by Daniel Wickerson in the area to award Llandudno Junction a penalty. Up steps a confident Matt Jones who hasn’t missed a penalty all season only for the heroic actions of Danny Mills who dived correctly to his left to save the penalty. 

This gave Kinmel Bay the push they needed to get going. Owain Roberts was brought on for the goal Scoring Wonder boy Oliver Grey on the 84th minute, Cole Rich replaced Captain Marvel Patrick Hamid on the 92nd minute Steven Hughes the referee indicated that we had 9 added minutes so the game plan was to recycle the ball out to the wingers in Jacob Jones and Owain Roberts who would aim to keep the ball in the Corners, 

Kinmel Bay were close to their first ever Cookson Cup Final win, so to kill some time Nyal Hughes was replaced by Cory Owen to help see the game out. 

The final whistle blew, and our Coaches and Fans ran on the pitch to celebrate with their star players. History was written Kinmel Bay who etched their names onto their first Cup trophy. 

The game was contested extremely well from both sets of teams, and we wish Llandudno Junction all the best for the remainder of the season. 

Thanks Leon Field