Wrexham 2-2 Cardiff City (4-2 penalties)
- Wrexham win Genero Adran Trophy in front of competition record crowd
- Cardiff City twice lead in enthralling final
- But Wrexham fight back to take the tie to penalties
- North Walians triumph from the spot to claim first major trophy
Wrexham made history by beating Cardiff City on penalties in a thrilling Genero Adran Trophy Final, claiming their first piece of major silverware in the process.
The Bluebirds twice led at Bangor City Stadium, but Jenny Sugarman’s side fought back and triumphed on spot kicks in front of a competition record crowd of 1,374.
New Wrexham signings Sarah Harvey and Maria Francis-Jones both went straight into the starting line-up, with Lili Jones also coming back into the side as Sugarman made three changes from their trip to Carmarthen Town last time out. Cardiff also made three changes, as Mikayla Cook, Laura Curnock and Hannah Power all started.
It was a bright start from both sides in a close encounter as expected, but the Bluebirds took the lead after just six minutes. A corner from the right by Mackenzie Olden was attacked well at the front post, but it may ultimately have been headed into the net by Wrexham defender Mikayla Wildgoose for an own goal.
Wrexham had more of the possession in the opening stages, with Katie Barker causing problems down both sides, but the Red Dragons were met by a resilient Cardiff backline, with Nieve Jenkins clearing a free-kick in the 10th minute to ensure a run at the back post didn’t lead to an opportunity for Wrexham.
Both goalkeepers had relatively little to do early on, but it was Liz Craven to make the first key save in the 22nd minute. A mistake at the back allowed Lily Billingham a run down the left, and after cutting inside on her right at the byline, fire an effort at the front post, which was well saved by Craven.
Cardiff threatened again moments later as another dangerous corner from the right by Olden hit the back post, before being cleared by Sarah Harvey.
Midway through the first half, Wrexham found their equaliser. A drop ball gave Josie Smith a run through the middle, and she played a pass into Ava Suckley who fired over Ceryn Chamberlain from outside the area to level the game.
Wrexham almost took the lead on the half hour mark. Faye Knox’s free-kick landed to Lili Jones, whose volley from the edge of the area went narrowly wide of the bottom left corner.
Olden caused problems throughout the first half, and with ten minutes to go had another opportunity to run down the right this time. After avoiding the challenge of Wildgoose, she played a low cross into the backpost, but it couldn’t be met by a blue shirt.
Cardiff had more of the ball in the final five minutes of the first half and went back in front in stoppage time. A well-hit free-kick from Olden struck the crossbar, before coming back out to Mikayla Cook, who fired home from the rebound to regain the lead for The Bluebirds.
The South Wales side started the better in the opening minutes of the second period, but it was Wrexham with the first attempt of the half. A ball across the edge of the area by Maria Francis-Jones found Josie Smith, whose effort was headed clear by Shannon Evans.
Wrexham regained control of the ball but couldn’t force a way through the Cardiff backline, who repeatedly had an answer for every question thrown at them. However, a rare mistake at the back from the Bluebirds allowed Sarah Harvey to have a strike at goal with 20 minutes to go, which was gathered by Chamberlain at the second attempt.
With ten minutes to go, Wrexham levelled again, and it was an incredible first time left-footed hit from debutant Maria Francis-Jones into the top left corner, after a good pass into the edge of the area by Ava Suckley.
From that point onwards, both sides mounted the pressure to go in front, but it would go all the way to penalties in north Wales.
Katie Barker stepped up to take the first penalty for Wrexham, which was well saved down to her right by Chamberlain. Ffion Price took the first for Cardiff City, which was also saved, down to her right, by Craven.
After Mahmood scored Wrexham’s second, Craven saved Mackenzie Olden’s penalty to give Wrexham the advantage, before Josie Smith scored again for The Red Dragons.
Hannah Power, Maria Francis-Jones and Fiona Barry all scored their penalties, but it was Faye Knox to score the decisive spot-kick and spark wild scenes of Wrexham celebration.
