City Women secured the Bute Energy Welsh Cup for the fourth consecutive year after beating Wrexham AFC Women 3-1 at Rodney Parade.
A long distance strike from Lily Billingham, a Shannon Evans header and second half goal from Fiona Barry clinched the cup for the Bluebirds.
It was a dream start for City as Billingham made it 1-0 with only five minutes played as her long distance effort proved too strong for Liz Craven in the Wrexham net, as the ball nestled in the top corner. Wrexham’s first chance fell to Abbie Iddenden when she volleyed goalwards, but her effort was comfortably caught by Ceryn Chamberlain in the City goal.
Billingham almost grabbed hers and City’s second when she found space at the back post to let fly, but her powerful strike flew narrowly wide. Evans then denied Wrexham’s Brooke Cairns as her effort looked to be finding the bottom corner if it wasn’t for the City defender’s block.
With 30 minutes played, the Bluebirds doubled their lead. Evans rose the highest as she headed home Ffion Price’s pinpoint free-kick. However, minutes later Wrexham were awarded a penalty, with Iddenden making no mistake from the spot, meaning the scoreline was 2-1 going into the break.
The Bluebirds almost made the perfect start to the second half as Billingham played Barry in behind, but her effort went agonisingly wide. Wrexham went looking for an equaliser when Lili Jones had a go from distance, but she was denied by Chamberlain.
Moments later, Wrexham were awarded another penalty, but Chamberlain guessed right and denied Ava Suckley from the spot. Despite the penalty miss, Wrexham continued their search for an equaliser and almost found it when Lilli Jones’ strike cannoned of the underside of the bar.
City almost grabbed their third as Molly Kehoe played Barry in behind, but she was denied by the foot of Craven. Only minutes later, the Bluebirds did score their third. Billingham played a perfectly timed through ball to Barry, who rounded the on-rushing Craven and slotted the ball home into the empty net.
Iain Darbyshire's side managed to see out their 3-1 lead and made sure they were named winners of the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup.
FINAL SCORE: WREXHAM AFC 1-3 CARDIFF CITY
Wrexham AFC: Craven, Clark, Allen, Davies (Lovett 83’), C.Jones, Cairns (Sharp 79’), Gibbard (Hughes 67’), Lightfoot (Pritchard 79’), L.Jones, Suckley, Iddenden. Subs Not Used: Morgan.
Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Price, Jenkins, Bowen, S. Evans, Long (G. Evans 90’), Kehoe (Baker-Perry 90’), Walklett, Barry (Collie 79’), Billingham, Olden (Curnock 75’). Subs Not Used: Phelps.