City Women win third consecutive Bute Energy Welsh Cup
The Bluebirds won the Bute Energy Welsh Cup for the third consecutive season with a 2–0 victory over Wrexham at Rodney Parade.
Rhianne Oakley’s first-half goal, along with Emma Beynon's strike in the second period, was enough to secure victory for the Bluebirds, who secure a domestic treble for the first time in Club history.
Head coach Iain Darbyshire made one change to the side that won the Adran Trophy Final, with Megan Bowen coming into the starting XI.
The Bluebirds forced the first chance through winger Oakley, who brilliantly drove into the box, before firing just over the woodwork. The Red Dragons reacted well, as Carra Jones raced through, but Ceryn Chamberlain was alert to make a smart save. City were clinical at the other end, taking the lead in the 16th minute through Oakley, who picked out the bottom corner from inside the area.
Darbyshire’s side immediately pushed for a second goal, as wing-back Mikayla Cook struck just over from a free-kick. In another chance, midfielder Beynon fired towards the bottom corner from the edge of the box, forcing goalkeeper Del Morgan to tip behind.
Just before the break, Morgan was called into action again, as playmaker Molly Kehoe raced into the box, before having an effort saved, which kept the lead to one goal at the break.
After City weathered a spell of pressure early in the second half, the Bluebirds went close in the 69th minute. Oakley beat the offside trap and looked to get a shot away, only for Rebecca Pritchard to make an important intervention. In another chance, Seren Watkins found Kehoe with a great ball in-behind, but Keren Allen managed to clear.
With 75 minutes on the clock, the Bluebirds had the ball in the net, as Eliza Collie headed home, but the flag was raised for offside. City ensured the victory in style, as Beynon's long-distance strike found the net, culminating a memorable campaign.
FINAL SCORE: WREXHAM AFC WOMEN 0-2 CARDIFF CITY WOMEN
Wrexham AFC Women: Morgan, Davies, Fuller, Lovett, Cairns (Small 56’), Pritchard, Lightfoot, C Jones, L Jones, Allen ©, Gibbard (Hughes 68’). Subs not used: Ankers, Dickens, Sharp.
Cardiff City Women: Chamberlain, Price (Smith 90'), Power, S Walsh ©, Bowen, Cook, Watkins, Beynon (Walklett 90'), Kehoe (Adams 87’), Oakley (Owen 77’), Collie. Subs not used: Phelps.