City Women were defeated 3-1 by Wrexham at Cardiff City Stadium in the Genero Adran Premier on Saturday afternoon.
Head Coach Iain Darbyshire made two changes to the side that lost on penalties to Wrexham in the Adran Trophy Final last week, with Fiona Barry and Kerry Walklett coming into the starting XI.
Neither side could take control of the game early on, but it was the visitors who created the first chance as Ava Suckley’s effort was blocked inside the box.
City’s first chance came with 20 minutes played. The ball broke into the box for Fiona Barry, who drove to the byline and clipped a dangerous ball back into the box, forcing a clearance from Wrexham defender Mikayla Wildgoose, which went narrowly past the post.
The Bluebirds went close again minutes later as Ffion Price’s free kick looped onto the roof of the net. Faye Knox then tested Ceryn Chamberlain from distance, but her effort was comfortably caught by the City keeper.
Wrexham started the second half fast and looked destined to score after a well-worked move, but Chamberlain produced an important save to deny Sarah Harvey.
The visitors’ fast start was rewarded as they took the lead through Knox after she found space on the edge of the box and fired into the top corner. Knox then almost made it two moments later after her curling effort flew past the post.
Despite Wrexham’s pressure, City hit back with 73 minutes played. A scramble in the box fell to Mackenzie Olden, who reacted the quickest and smashed home from close-range.
The Red Dragons almost responded instantly after a maze-like run from Katie Barker, saw her drive into the box and shot goalwards, but Chamberlain denied the visitors yet again.
However, Wrexham did regain the lead minutes later. Barker was allowed space on the edge of the box and took advantage of that as she unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner.
With seven minutes left, Wrexham were awarded a penalty. Chamberlain got a foot on the ball but was beaten by the power of Barker’s penalty.
Next up, City will face Wrexham AFC again, this time in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-final. The game will take place on Sunday, 8th March, with kick-off at 16:30.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY WOMEN 1-3 WREXHAM AFC WOMEN
Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Owen, Jenkins, Bowen, Price (Long 83’), Power, Walklett (Perrott 83’), Billingham (Thomas 90’), Olden, Barry (Lloyd 67’), Curnock (Cook 67’). Subs Not Used: Saunders, Ashun.
Wrexham: Craven, Davies, Bartle, Wildgoose, Harvey, Smith, Knox (Clark 89’), Francis-Jones, Barker, Suckley (Mahmood 78’), Hughes (L.Jones 65’). Subs Not Used: Ankers, Lovett, Fuller, C.Jones.