St Bernadette’s Triumph in Cardiff City Foundation Cup

St Bernadette’s RC Primary School from Pentwyn has triumphed as the New Directions sponsored Cardiff City FC Foundation Kids Cup winners for 2016.

The final saw the Brynheulog side triumph over West Wales side Ysgol Dewi Sant from Llanelli in a tense penalty shoot-out.

Both teams made it to the final from an original 80 entries in the competition. St Bernadette’s knocked out an impressive Pontypool based George Street School and Ysgol Dewi Sant sent a skilful Windsor Clive back to Ely after a hard fought end to end semi-final.

The final which finished a goalless draw before being forced to penalties was an action packed game which saw both sides attempt to take advantage of key chances. A narrow miss from St Bernadette’s in the opening minutes of the game forced a well taken corner from the East Cardiff team.

The winning sides’ keeper was soon tested when Ysgol Dewi Sant fired straight on target eight minutes into the game. Both teams frustratingly hit the woodwork on a number of occasions which brought sighs from both team coaches on the side lines.

In the end the pressure of a penalty shoot-out proved too much for Ysgol Dewi Sant who lost the game 3-2 to a diligent St Bernadette’s.

Speaking about the game and presenting the medals to both finalists, Gary Williams of cup sponsor New Directions Education said ‘this tournament continues to impress us year after year. Today we witnessed some really skilful grass roots football from all of the semi finalists. A big congratulations though to runners up Ysgol Dewi Sant and of course winners St Bernadette’s’.

The New Directions Education sponsored cup takes place annually and is now in its 17th year of running in conjunction with Cardiff City FC Community Foundation. Howard Burge, National Director for the organisation said ‘we are delighted to align ourselves with this tournament. Indeed we work to link in with clubs in all of our office localities. From Tranmere up in the North West to this tournament here in South Wales. We believe in re-investing in our communities, and seeing these young people working together to achieve is priceless’.

St Bernadette’s will now go on to play in Reading at the next stages of the competition representing South Wales.