Genero Adran Trophy holders Cardiff City crashed out in this season’s quarter-finals as they suffered a 1-0 defeat away at The New Saints on Sunday.
With TNS currently being the Bluebirds’ closest challengers in the Genero Adran Premier, it was always going to be a difficult challenge for Iain Darbyshire’s side and it was made harder after just 14 minutes when Mikayla Cook was shown a straight red card for an apparent stamp on Caitlin Chapman.
The Saints took full advantage of Cook’s dismissal and grabbed the opening goal on 27 minutes when Chapman’s low ball found Liv Buckland in the box and the 17-year-old provided a simple finish into an empty net.
Shauna Duffy’s side continued to threaten in the second half, with an effort from Helen Evans rattling crossbar, while they also held firm in defence to see out a famous victory – their first ever against Cardiff City in any competition. It means that this season’s Genero Adran Trophy final will be the first not feature the Bluebirds for the first time since 2019.
Wrexham reached the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in their history as they triumphed 3-1 away at Barry Town United.
Steve Dale’s side thought they had taken the lead in the 19th minute when Rosie Hughes latched onto Ava Suckley’s through ball and rounded goalkeeper Molly Arnesen to finish calmy, but the offside flag was raised.
However, they were not to be denied again as Liv Fuller opened the scoring in first half stoppage time with a thunderous shot into the top corner after latching on to Brooke Cairns’ pass.
Nat Clark – on her first start in over a month – doubled the lead eight minutes after the restart, bundling home the ball in the midst of a goalmouth scramble caused by Mari Gibbard’s teasing free-kick delivery.
Ellie Preece had come on at half-time for Barry and she halved the deficit in the 58th minute, receiving Jasmine Turner’s through ball and firing home.
However, Wrexham restored their two-goal cushion and ultimately clinched victory through Ava Suckley in the 73rd minute, following neat play by Cairns and Rosie Hughes.
Swansea City comfortably booked their spot in the last four with a 5-0 win away at second tier Cascade, inspired by Stacey John-Davis’ hat-trick.
Genero Adran South side Cascade were hoping to cause another upset after knocking out Cardiff Met in the last round, but the Swans took the lead inside 17 minutes when Emily Richards fired into the bottom corner for her fourth goal in five games.
Richards turned provider for John-Davis’ first of the afternoon 10 minutes before the break as her lofted ball over the top saw the striker produce a crisp volley from a tight angle.
John-Davis ultimately put the game to bed just before the hour mark as she rounded goalkeeper Bethan Connolly and fired home, before completing her hat-trick 12 minutes later with another sweetly struck volley from Chloe Chivers’ delivery.
Substitute Jasmine Guymer, who had only been on the pitch for nine minutes, rounded off the scoring late on as she bundled the ball home after seeing her initial shot saved by Connolly.
The other quarter-final tie between Briton Ferry Llansawel and Aberystwyth Town was postponed due to Storm Darragh, with a new date to be announced in due course.
Quarter-Final results:
Barry Town United 1-3 Wrexham
Briton Ferry Llansawel P-P Aberystwyth Town
Cascade 0-5 Swansea City
The New Saints 1-0 Cardiff City
