Wrexham earned their first win over Swansea City in 11 years as they triumphed 5-0 in a stunning performance at The Rock to reach the Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-finals.
With the Swans perhaps suffering a hangover from the previous weekend’s Genero Adran Trophy final defeat, Wrexham started brightly and rewarded for their early pressure in the 29th minute when Abbie Iddenden latched onto a through ball and slotted past Verity Jones.
Ava Suckley doubled the advantage from the penalty spot three minutes before half-time, while there was no let up from the hosts after the break as Liv Fuller fired home a loose ball eight minutes into the second period.
Iddenden grabbed her second of the afternoon just after the hour mark as she drove forward before finishing into the bottom corner, while victory was wrapped up in stoppage time by substitute Rosie Hughes who scored her fifth goal in three cup games this season.
Second tier Pontypridd United caused the shock of the round as they won 2-0 away at top-flight Aberystwyth Town to book their spot in the last four.
Aber had the chance to go ahead when they won a penalty in the 20th minute, but Ponty goalkeeper Amelia Forkings – making only her second appearance for the club after signing in January – denied Lleucu Mathias from the spot.
That miss was punished by the Dragons as Nicole Fenton opened the scoring seven minutes before half-time. The 19-year-old received a superb overhead through ball from Lauren Payne, raced towards goal and rounded Aber goalkeeper Mia Gleave to finish into an empty net.
Fenton showed her composure again to double the lead 10 minutes into the second half when she was again played in by a Payne pass and took the ball around Gleave before finishing coolly.
Bute Energy Welsh Cup holders Cardiff City eased through to the semi-finals with a 4-0 home win over Barry Town United.
It took just 11 minutes for the Bluebirds to take the lead as Fiona Barry curled in an effort from outside of the box – her third goal in three games against Barry this season. It was not until just after the hour mark that the lead was doubled, as Mackenzie Olden laid off Molly Kehoe to fire home from the edge of the area.
The moment of the game came five minutes later when Olden – making her first start in 14 months after recovering from an ACL injury – tapped home from close range after Ffion Price’s free-kick was spilled by Barry goalkeeper Mackenzie Ellingham.
Victory was wrapped up in the final 10 minutes by substitute Laura Curnock, who found space in the box and finished into the bottom corner. It is now four consecutive wins in 2025 for Iain Darbyshire’s side.
The New Saints needed a penalty shootout to progress past Briton Ferry Llansawel following a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes at Old Road.
The newly-crowned Genero Adran Trophy winners went ahead in the 20th minute as Lexi Jones played through Olivia Buckland to finish clinically past Courtney Young, a lead which they held until just after the hour mark when Tija Richardson equalised from close range after TNS failed to deal with a corner.
But Ferry were level for barely a minute as Molly Havard immediately restored the Saints’ advantage from close range. That looked to be the winning goal until the 88th minute, when Reds debutant Jade Crofts provided the equaliser for her side after a mix-up in the Saints defence.
TNS goalkeeper Becca Elliott would prove to be the hero in the penalty shootout, denying both Jess Denscombe and Olivia Kett-White from the spot to see Shauna Duffy’s side progress.
Bute Energy Welsh Cup Quarter-Final results:
Aberystwyth Town 0-2 Pontypridd United
Briton Ferry Llansawel 2-2 The New Saints (2-4 on penalties)
Cardiff City 4-0 Barry Town United
Wrexham 5-0 Swansea City
The Bute Energy Welsh Cup Semi-Final draw will be broadcast on RedWall+ at 8pm on Wednesday 19 February.
