Wrexham AFC Women vs. Cardiff City Women FC | Bute Energy Welsh Cup 24/25 – Final

        Live ReportMatch Summary

        1. Lily Billingham is presented with the Player of the Match award. 🌟

          A goal and assist for the Bluebirds midfielder today. ⚽️

        3. Iain Darbyshire speaks to Sgorio post-match about Cardiff City’s Welsh Cup win.

        4. ENILLWYR! 🏆🍾

          Cardiff city celebrate winning the game and lift the welsh cup during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales

        5. Second-half verdict:

          After what was a pulsating first-half with three goals, things started in a similar fashion in the second period. Goalscorer Billingham picked out Barry who broke through at goal but dragged her shot just wide.

          Wrexham had a chance to level proceedings just before the hour-mark as Shannon Evans was adjudged to have fouled Ava Suckley. Suckley would be denied from 12-yards however with Chamberlain blocking her attempt with her feet.

          Another chance went begging for Wrexham. Lilli Mai Jones laced a shot which had Chamberlain beaten but instead cannoned it off the crossbar and was cleared away from safety.

          For a large part of the second-half, Cardiff looked dangerous on the counter-attack and Liz Craven had to be alert to deny Fiona Barry. Barry would eventually find joy as Billingham picked her out with a lofted ball and she dribbled past the onrushing Craven to stroke the ball into an empty net.

          Wrexham fought bravely and had several half opportunities to reduce the deficit but Chamberlain and her defence were keen not to open the door for their opponents again.

          Deservedly, Lily Billingham was crowned the Player of the Match for her goal and assist.

        6. 97'

          FULL-TIME! Cardiff City are victorious!

        7. 94'

          Lily Billingham goes close to doubling her tally. Her shot sails just past the post.

        8. 90' + 5'

          Substitution

          EVANS Grace replaces LONG Amy

        9. 90' + 4'

          Substitution

          BAKER-PERRY Scarlett replaces KEHOE Molly Frances

        10. 89'

          Late pressure from Wrexham who are getting some shots away at Ceryn Chamberlain. As a corner kick is lofted in, Rosie Hughes flicks a header on and it whizzes just past the goal.

          The resulting set piece is played in and Lili Mai Jones is positioned just outside the box, finessing a shot at goal which Chamberlain fumbles initially but gathers at the second attempt.

        11. 84'

          There’s time and space on the edge of the box for Ava Suckley to shoot but her attempt is expertly blocked by Nieve Jenkins who gets in the way to block the shot.

        12. 83'

          Substitution

          LOVETT Erin replaces DAVIES Phoebe

        13. 📸

          Cardiff City players celebrate Fiona Barry restoring their two-goal advantage.

          Cardiff City Womens' Fiona Barry scores to make the game 1-3 during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales
        14. 79'

          Substitution

          COLLIE Eliza replaces BARRY Fiona

        15. 79'

          Substitution

          SHARP Katie replaces CAIRNS Brooke

        16. 79'

          Substitution

          PRITCHARD Rebecca replaces LIGHTFOOT Amber

        17. 76'

          Rosie Hughes who was introduced from the substitute’s bench swipes a shot at Chamberlain but it’s well saved.

        18. 75'

          Substitution

          CURNOCK Laura replaces OLDEN Mackenzie Hope

        19. 74'

          GOOOOOOOOOAL!!! CARDIFF! FIONA BARRY!

          She’s had a few chances this afternoon and now she can celebrate. A ball nicely to her feet and she dribbles past Liz Craven and side-foots the effort home in to an empty net.

        20. 74'

          Goal

          BARRY Fiona

        21. ICYMI: Ceryn Chamberlain denies Ava Suckley

        22. 70'

          Liz Craven does well to deny Fiona Barry who tries to beat her from a narrow angle.

        23. 68'

          Yellow card

          ALLEN Keren

        24. 67'

          Substitution

          HUGHES Rosie replaces GIBBARD Mari Elin

        25. 66'

          CROSSBAR!

          Lili Mai Jones from just outside the box hits the crossbar. So unlucky for Wrexham!

        26. 64'

          Fiona Barry again finds some joy on that right-flank. She cuts inside the box and curls a shot with her left-foot but it rises over the bar.

        27. 61'

          SAVED!

          A change in taker for Wrexham. Ava Suckley is given the responsibility of taking the second penalty of the afternoon. She steps up however Ceryn Chamberlain denies her, saving with her leg.

        28. 61'

          Missed penalty

          SUCKLEY Ava

        29. 59'

          PENALTY TO WREXHAM!

        30. 58'

          Abbie Iddenden already with one goal for the afternoon tries to double her tally. Ceryn Chamberlain though is alert to it and gathers the shot.

        31. 52'

          Fiona Barry involved again as Cardiff break down the flank. She tries to find a teammate but Liz Craven intercepts it and then Carra Jones hooks it clear.

        32. 52'

          Yellow card

          BARRY Fiona

        33. 51'

          Despite Cardiff’s chance through Barry, Wrexham have started the brighter of the two sides. They’re getting the ball in the box but aren’t able to get a clear shot away.

        34. 47'

          A glorious chance for Cardiff City to restore their two-goal lead. A good through ball finds the feet of Fiona Barry but her shot goes agonisingly past the post.

        35. ICYMI: Cardiff City’s second goal

          Here’s how Shannon Evans put Cardiff two in front.

        36. 46'

          Back underway for the second-half!

        37. HALF-TIME!

          Half-time verdict: Both sides started with some attacking intent. Abbie Iddenden attempted a shot from just outside the box but Ceryn Chamberlain was untroubled.

          Up the other end, Mackenzie Olden had a tight-angled shot that went just past Liz Craven’s goal.

          The deadlock would be broken in the first five minutes with a spectacular effort from Lily Billingham. Shannon Evans from just over the half-way line laid the ball to her and the midfielder curled her shot towards the top right-hand corner to get the four figure crowd off of their feet.

          As the half reached its first quarter, Cardiff doubled their lead from a well-delivered set-piece. Ffion Price lofted the ball in to the box and Shannon Evans flicked her header over Craven.

          Wrexham were offered a chance of reducing the deficit almost immediately after conceding after Iddenden was shoved over by the goalkeeper. She kept her nerve to pick the ball up and tap her shot past Chamberlain.

          After three-goals inside the first 30 minutes, things began to quieten down with Cardiff trying to preserve their lead. Wrexham made pushes to equalise but things began to falter out for them.

          Wrexham AFC Women's Mari Gibbard under pressure from Cardiff City Women's Lily Billingham during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales
        38. 45'

          We’ve got three additional minutes in the first-half. Will Wrexham draw level or Cardiff take their lead into the break?

        39. 42'

          Yellow card

          DAVIES Phoebe

        40. 42'

          Yellow card

          ALLEN Keren

        41. 39'

          📸

          Abbie Iddenden enjoyed that one! Wrexham are still in this one. 💪

          Wrexham AFC Women's Abbie Iddenden celebrates scoring her sides first goal during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales
        42. 31'

          GOOOOOOOOOAL!!! 🔴

          Abbie Iddenden shows her cool as she scores from the spot. She goes for a low-driven penalty in the bottom left-hand corner, stroking the ball past Ceryn Chamberlain.

        43. 31'

          Penalty

          IDDENDEN Abbie

        44. 30'

          PENALTY WREXHAM!

          Abbie Iddenden is pushed by Ceryn Chamberlain and Wrexham have a chance to reduce the deficit.

        45. 29'

          Goal

          EVANS Shannon

        46. 28'

          GOOOOOOOOAL!!! CARDIFF CITY! 🔵

          A free-kick is put in to the box and there is Shannon Evans on hand to flick her header past Liz Craven.

        47. 24'

          Two chances there for Wrexham to get themselves back level.

          A cross comes in to the box which Ceryn Chamberlain parries but only to the path of Brooke Cairns, who tries to swipe a shot at goal, but a Cardiff City defender gets in the way.

        48. 23'

          Both sets of players head towards the dugout as Lily Billingham receives treatment from the physio.

          With some encouragement from the crowd, she’s able to return to the game.

        49. 19'

          📹 See Lily Billingham’s goal for yourself here…

          What a belter! 🚀

        50. 18'

          📸 Lily Billingham celebrates opening the scoring for Cardiff City.

          Cardiff City Women's Lily Billingham celebrates scoring her sides first goal during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales
        51. 13'

          Wrexham work the ball well inside the box and Abbie Iddenden is able to get a shot away but Ceryn Chamberlain saves the half-volley.

        52. 10'

          Wrexham are on the search for a quick response. Cardiff City’s defence are holding their standing tall at the minute to thwart any pressure.

        53. 6'

          Goal

          BILLINGHAM Lily

        54. 5'

          CARDIFF CITY ARE AHEAD!

          Lily Billingham tries her luck from range and despite Liz Craven getting a touch to it, it’s too hard to keep out.

        55. 1'

          KICK-OFF!

          The 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup final at Rodney Parade is underway.

        56. Less than 15 minutes until kick-off. Both sets of players have just finished their warm-ups in the glorious sunshine at Rodney Parade. ☀️

          Cardiff City Women's Nieve Jenkins during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales

        57. There’s some pre-match excitement in the air! Here’s some Wrexham supporters inside the Fan Zone. 🐲

          Fan Zone during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales

        58. 👕 Here’s the look inside the Cardiff City changing room.

          Cardiff City Women's Changing room during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales

        59. 👀 A look inside the Wrexham changing room

          Wrexham AFC Women's Changing room during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales

        60. This is how Cardiff City line up… 🔢

        61. Hear the pre-match thoughts of Cardiff City’s Megan Bowen who speaks to Sgorio pre-match. 🗣️

        62. 🚨 TEAM NEWS IS IN! 🚨

          Here’s how Wrexham line up for the Bute Energy Welsh Cup final.

        63. 👋 Cardiff City are also here. Kerry Walklett looking focused prior to kick-off.

          Cardiff City Women's Kerry Walklett during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales

        64. 👋 Wrexham have arrived at Rodney Parade.

          Wrexham AFC Women's Erin Lovett arrives during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women and Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales

        65. Head-to-head

          Cardiff City and Wrexham have played each other several times over the course of the 2024/25 season.

          The most recent meeting was a 4-2 win for the North Walian outfit on April 6 in what was each side’s penultimate game of the Genero Adran Premier season. Abbie Iddenden scored a hat-trick after Rosie Hughes had got the Dragons level through Laura Curnock.

          Wrexham were also victorious in South Wales, beating them 2-1 in the Championship Conference back in mid-March. Prior to that, they had lost to Cardiff twice in Phase One.

          Amber Lightfoot of Wrexham in action. Cardiff City v Wrexham in the Genero Adran Premier at Leckwith Stadium on the 1st December 2024

        66. Speaking to Cardiff City’s official club website about today’s final and facing Wrexham, head coach Iain Darbyshire said:

          “We know Wrexham will pose a real test for us, they’ve beaten us a couple of times recently, but we have a plan and we’re going to aim to deliver that plan on the day and have a successful result.”

          Cardiff City Womens Head Coach Iain Darbyshire during the 2024/2025 Genero Adran Premier league fixture between Cardiff City Women FC & Briton Ferry Llansawel AFC Ladies at the Cardiff City Stadium, Wales

        67. Where are they now? | Siobhan Walsh

          “This was the first trophy I lifted as captain of the club, so this is a competition that means a lot to me personally.”

          Siobhan Walsh won the Welsh Cup in 2016, as well as 2022, 2023 and in 2023. She called time on her playing career last year, and now helps out at Llanrumney United. Read more from what she has to say here.

          Cardiff City Womens' Siobhan Walsh during 2023/24 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales

        68. 🏆 This is the prize that both sides are playing for today…

          A view of the trophy during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales.

        69. Wrexham and Cardiff City also met each other in last year’s final where the Bluebirds won the day. Take a look back at Sgorio’s highlights.

        71. Pre-Match Thoughts | Fiona Barry

          “Doing the double would be great. You come to Cardiff City to win trophies, and for us new players and those who have been here a while, that’s all we will be looking to do.”

          Read the full interview here.

        72. Pre-Match Thoughts | Abbie Iddenden

          “We know it’s going to be a hard game against Cardiff City, there’s no doubt about that. But we know what we can do, we know what we need to work on, and we’ve had a nice few weeks before the final to really knuckle down and make that final push.”

          Read the full interview here.

        73. Supporter Info

          If you’re attending the match at Rodney Parade, you’ll find everything you need to know on our Supporter Info page by clicking here.

          There will be plenty of matchday entertainment and live music on offer for supporters visiting Rodney Parade.

          From 1:00pm, a girls football festival will take place on the field adjacent to the stadium whilst a children’s inflatables park will also be open.

          Supporters can enjoy use of the fan park from 2pm, with indoor and outdoor seating and refreshments available.

          Alimish will perform on stage at the fan park while roaming entertainment comes from Samba Galez who will provide a festival feeling to the cup final. Prior to kick off, DJ Kay Russant will take to the main stage to get supporters ready for the game.

          There will be opportunities for photos with the Bute Energy Welsh Cup and Spikey the Dragon in the marquee.

        74. Cardiff City’s route to the Bute Energy Cup Final looks like this.

        75. This is how Wrexham reached the Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final.

        77. Ticket Information 🎟️

          Tickets can be bought online here for the following prices (plus booking fee):

          Adults – £5.00
          Juniors (16 & Under) – £2.00

          All tickets bought online will be digitally issued through the Cymru Tickets app, no later than 24 hours before kick-off. Tickets purchased fewer than 48 hours before the match will be delivered no later than five hours before kick-off.

          Tickets will then be available to buy on the gate on matchday for increased prices:

          Adults – £10.00
          Juniors (16 & Under) – £5.00

          Please direct any ticketing queries to tickets@faw.co.uk.

        79. Meet the referee

          Charlotte Carpenter has been appointed as the referee for the 2025 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final between Wrexham and Cardiff City.

          Carpenter will be assisted by Michelle Portelli and Katie Hannah, while Dale Randall is Fourth Official.

          It will be the first time that Carpenter will referee the final of the competition since 2022.

          Read more here

        80. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Table

                P
                Gd
                Pts

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees

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