FAW Women's Cup Final Report | Cardiff City 2-0 Cardiff Met
Cardiff City were crowned winners of the FAW Women’s Cup with a brilliant 2–0 win over Cardiff Metropolitan University on Sunday afternoon.
Superb second-half strikes from Seren Watkins and Lily Billingham were enough to seal a fantastic victory for the Bluebirds.
2022 #FAWGirlsCup champions 🏆
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2022 #GeneroAdranLeagues U19 national champions 🏆
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Boss Iain Darbyshire made three changes to the side that defeated Aberystwyth Town last time out, with Ceryn Chamberlain, Seren Watkins and Amy Williams coming into the starting XI.
City started well and went close to taking an early lead through Billingham, who struck an effort at goal, only for goalkeeper Charlotte Smith to make the save. The Bluebirds playmaker was again involved in a positive attack, playing Phoebie Poole through on the right, whose shot was just wide of the post.
Attacker Poole posed a real threat, as she was found in space once again, firing narrowly over the woodwork following some great build-up with striker Megan Saunders. In another City chance, right-back Hollie Smith crossed deep into the area for Poole, who headed narrowly wide.
The Archers went close to opening the scoring through Lauren Hutton Townsend, firing towards goal following a corner, only for her effort to clear the woodwork. Shortly before the break, Billingham struck a brilliant effort from distance, which flew just wide, ensuring the score at the interval was goalless.
City started the second period on the front foot, as Ffion Price’s dangerous corner delivery couldn’t quite be turned home by Smith. In another Bluebirds attack, a sharp turn from Saunders saw her find space in the area, only for her shot at goal to be saved.
Darbyshire’s side continued to create opportunities and went close through Price, whose brilliant effort from distance struck the woodwork. City were rewarded for a brilliant start to the second-half, taking the lead in the 59th minute, as Watkins fired a low drive from distance and found the bottom corner.
The Archers responded to falling behind, as substitute Shannon Evans went close to an equaliser, curling onto the woodwork. City continued to create chances however, with substitute Danielle Green and Poole combining well, as the latter fired wide from the edge of the area.
Yzzy Taylor’s side pushed for an equaliser, with Evans going close once more, heading over from close-range. City remained a danger on the counter however, as Zoe Atkins found Poole in space, whose effort at goal struck the woodwork.
With five minutes left, City ensured the victory, as a fantastic strike from Billingham found the top corner, crowning the Bluebirds FAW Women’s Cup champions.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2–0 CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Smith, Daley, S Walsh ©, Price, Watkins, Broadhurst, Billingham, Poole (Collie 90’), Saunders (Green 63’), Williams (Atkins 72’). Subs not used: Forkings, Bayliss.
Cardiff Metropolitan University: Smith, Taylor, Finch, Richardson, Turner ©, Hancocks, Allen, Walkley (Long 82’), Murray (Evans 63’), Hutton Townsend (Richards 70’), Chavez. Subs not used: Rees, Mills.
After the final whistle, head coach Darbyshire spoke to cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
“This squad deserve it,” Iain began. “It’s not just the senior players, but the young players we have, the U19s and the U16s as well. All we want to do is do things right, the young players we have are so talented, so the future for this club and for Wales is so bright.
“The plans are already in the motion for what’s to come. We don’t stop here. Now that we’ve won silverware, we’ve laid the foundations. It’s a fantastic day for myself, the players and the whole club.”
