Cascade were the only second tier side to beat top-flight opposition in the Genero Adran Trophy Round of 16, as they triumphed 1-0 at home over five-time winners Cardiff Met.
The decisive moment came in the 35th minute when Chrystalla Moreton rose highest and headed home from Katie Davies’ corner. India Shanahan had a glorious chance to bring Met level late in the day, but her effort one-on-one with Bethan Connolly flew over the bar.
Cascade saw out the closing stages to seal a memorable victory and a place in the quarter-finals for the first time.
Holders Cardiff City began their defence of the trophy with a narrow 2-1 win away at Connah’s Quay Nomads.
The Bluebirds were rewarded for their lively start as Laura Curnock scored at the second time of asking after seeing her initial effort saved. City doubled their lead early in the second half thanks to Nieve Jenkins, who met Ffion Price’s free-kick delivery and finished beyond Molly France.
Phoebe Ellis hit the crossbar for the Nomads, who were offered a potential route back into the tie in the 69thminute when Jenkins was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Anna Marsh.
Marsh pulled a goal back for the hosts in the fifth minute of stoppage time with a clean strike from a tight angle, but Cardiff held on to secure their quarter-final spot.
Flint Town United twice led against Barry Town United at Jenner Park, but the Linnets avoided a shock as they came back to win 4-2.
Barry were reduced to 10 players midway through the first half when Lauren Harris was sent off for a second bookable offence and an upset looked to be on the cards when Jennifer Haynes put Flint ahead nine minutes into the second half.
Ellie Preece made an instant impact off the bench for Barry as she squared the ball for Erin Murray to equalise on 65 minutes, but Flint teenager Rosie Hughes restored her side’s lead three minutes later.
Murray levelled the contest again soon after and this time it sparked Barry into life as strikes from Jasmine Turner and Preece clinched victory and a place in the quarter-finals for the first time in three years.
Last season’s runners-up Swansea City progressed to the last eight with a 4-0 home win over knockout stage debutants Llanfair United.
Aimee Deacon, who grabbed a hat-trick in the league last weekend, put the Swans ahead in the 17th minute but it remained a narrow lead until the closing stages of the match.
A second goal for the hosts eventually arrived in the 70th minute when Chloe Chivers scored a superb free-kick from 30 yards out, before Emily Thomas and substitute Emily Richards also found the net to secure safe passage for the Swans.
The New Saints cruised into the quarter-finals as Chantelle Teare’s hat-trick helped earn a 6-1 victory away to Genero Adran South side Caldicot Town.
Lexi Jones broke the deadlock for Saints shortly after the half hour mark with a stunning strike from the edge of the area, before Rianne Jones equalised for Caldicot and Teare restored TNS’ lead within the space of a minute before half-time.
Caitlin Chapman added a third for Saints early in the second half as she tucked away the rebound from Teare’s saved effort, while Teare bagged two more goals of her own either side of Lia Lewis’ close-range strike.
Lleucu Mathias starred for Aberystwyth Town in their 4-2 win away to Genero Adran North leaders Llandudno.
Just two minutes after Maddie Williams hit the crossbar for Llandudno, Mathias put Aber ahead with a clean strike past Meg Robinson. Sofie Owen levelled for the hosts but Jess Baker restored Aber’s lead before half-time.
Llandudno equalised again 10 minutes into the second half, this time through Kelsey Davies’ cheeky lob over Chelsea Herbert. However, Mathias made it 3-2 soon after with her second of the afternoon, before she helped put the game to bed by setting up Imi Scourfield to score in the 71st minute.
Briton Ferry Llansawel reached the quarter-finals for the first time as they defeated Penybont 4-1 at Old Road.
Ferry made a rapid start to the contest as Maia Owen put them ahead after just three minutes, but did not add to their lead until just before the hour mark when a Penybont handball in the box allowed Alison Witts to score from the penalty spot.
Casey Daniels gave Bont a lifeline with her 70th-minute strike from the edge of the area, but Lucy Powell and Aimee Heath both came off the bench to net from close range and book Ferry’s spot in the next round.
Wrexham continued their bright form with a 4-1 victory over Cwmbran Celtic at Avondale Park.
Liv Fuller opened the scoring for the Red Dragons in the fifth minute with her fourth goal in as many matches, but Celtic star Jade Crofts equalised 10 minutes later.
Goalkeeper Amie Preston made a number of saves to keep Celtic in the game, but Wrexham eventually found a way past her as Amber Lightfoot fired into the top corner in the 52nd minute.
Abbie Iddenden continued her purple patch in front of goal as she made it 3-1 with a neat finish in the 68thminute, before she turned provider for Lili Jones to wrap up the win in stoppage time.
Round of 16 results:
Barry Town United 4-2 Flint Town United
Briton Ferry Llansawel 4-1 Penybont
Caldicot Town 1-6 The New Saints
Cascade 1-0 Cardiff Met
Cwmbran Celtic 1-4 Wrexham
Llandudno 2-4 Aberystwyth Town
Swansea City 4-0 Llanfair United
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-2 Cardiff City
