There was unconfined joy from Wrexham following their historic Genero Adran Trophy Final win over Cardiff at Bangor City Stadium.
The Red Dragons twice trailed in an enthralling contest, but battled back to take the tie to penalties where Liz Craven saved two spot-kicks and Faye Knox slotted in the winner.
It is a first major trophy for Wrexham since they reformed in 2018 and their first victory over Cardiff this season.
“I’ve got an immense amount of pride,” captain Jodie Bartle said. “I am so, so proud of this group. Going a goal down, twice, and coming back in the manner that we did. It’s all gone to my head, I’m just so excited!”
Wrexham 2-2 Cardiff City (4-2 on penalties)
Head coach Jenny Sugarman came into the role last summer and has transformed the team as they continue to take bold new steps to progress the women’s game.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” Sugarman said. “This group of players, this group of staff, these supporters, it’s for every single one of them. The club has put so much faith and belief in us, we’re just happy to repay them.”
One of the stars of the final was Maria Francis-Jones, who lifted the trophy with The New Saints last season but completed a move to Wrexham earlier this month in what was the first ever transfer fee paid for a player in women’s domestic football in Wales.
Francis-Jones scored the Red Dragons’ equaliser in the 80th minute which ultimately sent the tie to penalties, unleashing a stunning first time strike from the edge of the box into the top corner.
“We had a little chat in the gym this week,” Sugarman said. “There’s pressure, she’s made a history in being the first player [in the Genero Adran Premier] that a fee has been paid for. We said what a way it would be to make your mark, to score or assist in a cup final. She’s done that and what a goal by the way!”
“It’s my left foot as well, they don’t come around often!” Francis-Jones added.
“When I signed for the club, I knew I wanted to play every game with pride as it’s such a big club. Hopefully I’ve shown that I want to be here and that I am ready to fight for this shirt. I’ve gone and done that today, I’m really happy with all the girls and how much they’ve welcomed me in.”
1,374 fans were in attendance at Bangor City Stadium and the Wrexham faithful – of which they were the majority – were rewarded with witnessing their team’s first ever major trophy win.
“We’re so grateful,” Sugarman said of the support. “Look at the numbers they’ve come in. Hopefully they want to keep coming back after what they’ve seen today because it was a fantastic game.”
A quirk of the fixture calendar means that the Final was the first of three consecutive meetings between Wrexham and Cardiff, as they will do battle twice more over the next fortnight.
The Cardiff City Stadium hosts a crunch clash in the Genero Adran Premier title race next Saturday, before the two rivals meet in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-final in Aberystwyth the following Sunday.
“We’ve got Cardiff again for two weeks on the bounce and it’s going to be a tough ask but this was the first game that we needed to focus on,” Bartle said.
“We’ve got the first piece of silverware for the club, a huge, huge moment. We will look forward, we will build on this, but we’re just going to enjoy today.”
