Mardy Tigers U16's - 6

Northop Hall U16's - 0

THE Mardy Tigers delivered a champagne performance to cap a fine season and return the Welsh Cup home to Abergavenny.

Led onto the field by captain Jade Edwards and mascots for the day - Emily Bresington, Ffion James and Abbie Gilmore, the team went through the formalities of meeting the FAW dignitaries before the singing of the National Anthem announced that the game was well and truly on in front of the 100 strong travelling 'Barmy Army.'

The Tigers made a dream start when a pinpoint corner from Kate Jeremiah was met by classy striker Amy Thrupp in the six yard box, and with only four minutes on the clock the Tigers held the precious advantage.

However, they weren't allowed to settle on their lead with Northop fighting for every ball.

Yet with one minute before the interval a corner from the left winger Zoe Simmonds was again met by Amy Thrupp who once again fired home to double her tally and make it 2-0.

Come the second-half and the girls knew that they couldn't take their feet off the gas because the third goal of the game would be crucial whoever scored it.

Three minutes in and some good work in midfield set left winger Zoe Simmonds free and she fired a screamer into the net.

This goal proved decisive because from this moment on the Tigers knew that the Welsh Cup was theirs.

Young striker Rhiannon Jones came on to replace injured left back Lisa Jones and certainly made her presence felt.

Within 10 minutes of coming on Jones had got herself two cup final goals, both from close range but both clinically dispatched, and she also missed another which would have given her a dream hat-trick.

With the pace and class on the flanks of Ellie Leek and Kate Jeremiah now too much for their opponents to handle the Tigers turned on the style and their final goal came with five minutes remaining thanks to the left foot of Ellie Leek who showed a cool head when in on goal to fire home and seal a memorable day for the team.

Coach Wayne Jeremiah proudly praised the whole squad and said,"The team are a credit to themselves, their parents and to the whole of Gwent and this day will live long in the memories of everyone who were lucky enough to be there - Well Done Girls."

PICTURED are Sophie Foote, Rhian Lambert, Frankie Wesson, Rhian Cleverly, Lisa Jones, Kate Jeremiah, Jade Edwards, Carys Lloyd, Zoe Simmonds, Amy Thrupp, Ellie Leek, Leah Lovering, Rhiannon Jones, Alice Morgan and Samantha Quayle.