The road to the 33rd Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final begins on Sunday 20 September, as the First Qualifying Round takes place across the country.
The opening qualifying round is split between North and South with several interesting fixtures ensuring an exciting start to the competition. The eight Genero Adran Premier clubs have received byes to Round One, and the seven highest-ranked Tier Two clubs have received byes to the Second Qualifying Round.
Cardiff City claimed the trophy for the fifth successive season back in April with a dramatic 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over rivals Swansea City at Rodney Parade following a 3-3 draw. The Swans were three goals ahead midway through the second half before the holders completed a memorable comeback to retain the trophy, with Megan Bowen converting the decisive spot kick in front of over 1,200 fans.
This weekend, Bangor City 1876 host Llangefni Town less than a fortnight since the two teams met in the NWCFA Women’s Challenge Cup. Bangor claimed a 2-1 win through goals from Hannah Owen and Amy Mano despite Llangefni Town taking an early lead through Jessica Jones, and her side will be out for revenge against their opponents this weekend.
Ammanford manager Ian Parfitt has been busy during the summer, with the arrival of the experienced Terri Beddows amongst a number of impressive signings. The side have scored 15 goals in their opening two league games, and host Caerphilly Dragons at the Recreation Ground as they look to take their current form into the cup.
CPD Pwllheli enjoyed a 9-1 victory over Kinmel Bay in the NWCFA Women’s Challenge Cup earlier this month with Lois Thomas helping herself to four goals. Kinmel Bay now have the opportunity to redeem themselves as they return to The Rec for a rematch and manager Naomi Oakley will be looking for the right reaction from her side on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Trefelin – managed by previous cup winner Tija Richardson – will be confident of building on their impressive 8-3 win over Undy AFC in the league last weekend when they host Skewen at the Elsey Creative Ynys Park. It was a memorable match for 16-year-old Carys Thomas as the young striker scored six goals and claimed an assist in the convincing victory.
The competition has continued to grow since the inaugural final of what was then the FAW Women’s Cup was held at the National Stadium, or Cardiff Arms Park, in a joint venture with the men’s Welsh Cup Final. That match took place on 16 May 1993 as Pilkington Ladies, who would later become Rhyl Ladies, defeated Inter Cardiff Ladies 1-0 through a goal from Delyth Wyn Jones.
The match was played prior to Cardiff City defeating Rhyl 5-0 in the men’s Welsh Cup Final later that afternoon. Although the majority of the 16,443 in attendance were there for the second match, those who arrived early were treated to a competitive match between two determined sides, and it proved to be a positive initiative to support the growth of the domestic women’s game in its formative years.
The two teams would meet again at the same venue a in a repeat of that final a year later, with Pilkington Ladies retaining the trophy on penalties. The final has been played at Rodney Parade in Newport for the last three seasons and has attracted impressive attendances each year, and moving one step closer to that final is the dream for the clubs entering the competition this weekend.
