On Sunday afternoon, the biggest event of the Welsh domestic season will take place at Rodney Parade in Newport, as Caernarfon Town and Flint Town United compete in the final of the JD Welsh Cup.
Caernarfon Town v Flint Town United | Sunday – 15:15 (Rodney Parade, Newport)
Caernarfon Town have reached the final of the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history, and with the Cofis sitting five places above Flint Town United in the JD Cymru Premier table, they will be slight favourites to lift the trophy on Sunday afternoon.
Flint Town United have lifted the cup once before — back in 1954, when they beat Chester 2–0 in the final at the Racecourse Ground.
A crowd of 15,584 attended that final, and 72 years later the Silkmen will be hoping to get their hands on the trophy once again.
In the years since, only three finals have attracted larger crowds:
1955/56 – Cardiff vs Swansea (37,500)
1981/82 – Swansea vs Cardiff (15,828)
1992/93 – Cardiff vs Rhyl (16,443)
There was also a strong attendance for Caernarfon’s win at Colwyn Bay last weekend, with 2,357 at Llanelian Road on Good Friday — the fifth-highest crowd in league history.
Despite the long journey for both sets of supporters to Newport, a special atmosphere is expected at Rodney Parade, with a place in European competition at stake
Road to the final:
Caernarfon Town: Newtown (0–3), Penrhyncoch (4–0), Cardiff Met (2–4), Colwyn Bay (4–1), Rhyl 1879 (2–1)
Caernarfon began their run with comfortable wins against mid-Wales clubs, scoring three against Newtown and four against Penrhynoch.
The challenges increased against top-flight opposition, but Richard Davies’ side rose to the occasion – scoring four goals against both Cardiff Met and Colwyn Bay before defeating Rhyl 1879 2-1 in the semi-final.
Road to the final:
Flint Town United: Bow Street (0–3), Airbus UK (1–0), Pen-y-bont (0–0 pens), Trearddur Bay (3–0), Bangor City 1876 (5–1)
Flint Town United reached the semi-finals without conceding a goal, beating lower-tier opposition before facing a tough test away at Pen-y-bont in the fourth round.
That match finished goalless after an early red card for Chris Venables, with Flint progressing on penalties.
In the semi-final, the pressure was on against third-tier Bangor City 1876, but the Silkmen delivered a professional performance, winning 5-1 and showing their superior quality.
All set for a historic final — with both clubs chasing silverware and a place in Europe.
Winning the cup would be a huge achievement for either side, but the season doesn’t end here, with plenty still at stake.
Flint Town United are in a very precarious position in 10th place in the Cymru Premier and will need an away win at Cardiff Met in two weeks to guarantee their top-flight status.
If Caernarfon Town lose the final, they will enter the end-of-season European play-offs.
A win against Pen-y-bont on the final weekend could see them go straight into the semi-finals and possibly secure a home tie.
But for now, lifting the cup is the only thing on both teams’ minds—especially with the reward of European football next season.
Caernarfon played in Europe for the first time in summer 2024, beating Crusaders of Northern Ireland before losing to Polish giants Legia Warsaw.
Flint Town United have never competed in Europe, so achieving that dream will be the aim for Lee Fowler and his squad.
Since beating Bangor 5-1 in the semi-final, Flint’s form has dipped with draws against Bala Town and Briton Ferry, followed by home defeats to Llanelli Town and Haverfordwest County.
Caernarfon haven’t been at their best either, losing three in a row after their semi-final win over Rhyl, though last weekend’s victory over Colwyn Bay will be a big boost ahead of Sunday’s final.
Looking at the head-to-head record, Caernarfon hold the psychological advantage, unbeaten in their last six games against Flint (four wins, two draws).
However, their most recent meeting in December ended 1-1, and if Sunday’s match was to end level after 90 minutes, it would be the first Welsh Cup final to go to penalties in 23 years, since Barry Town beat Cwmbrân in 2003.
For the first time in 17 years, none of the top four teams in the pyramid will feature in the cup final, as the team in 5th place takes on the team in 10th.
Notably, in the last 12 seasons, either The New Saints or Connah’s Quay Nomads appeared in every final, so this will be a different kind of final compared to recent years.
One thing is certain: it will be a historic occasion – either Caernarfon Town will lift one of Wales’ major trophies for the first time ever, or Flint Town United will win it for the first time since 1954.
The match will be broadcast live from Rodney Parade, Newport at 3:00pm on S4C.
