Cardiff City will be aiming to go all the way in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup once again when they travel to Park Avenue to face Wrexham in the semi-final on Sunday (KO 4:30pm).
The Bluebirds are five-time winners of the competition, with four of those coming in the past four years in a dominant era for Iain Darbyshire’s side. They have not lost in this cup since March 2019.
After defeat to Wrexham in the Genero Adran Trophy and in the Genero Adran Premier in recent weeks, full-back Ffion Price believes the group have learned from those games ahead of another match-up between the Bluebirds and Red Dragons.
“We’re really excited,” Price said. “We’ve learned from the games in the past and we have experience of big games like this from past seasons, and we’re still confident heading into Sunday. It’s a big game.”
Both on and off the pitch, the Genero Adran Premier has made significant progress, which has seen improved attendance, coverage and quality of football on display. It has also seen one of the closest title races for many seasons.
That progress has also pushed the Bluebirds every season, something Price and the group at Cardiff City thrive off.
“It showcases how much the league has developed both at Cardiff and teams across the league which has been pleasing. It pushes us even further, makes us more determined. It’s great to have lots of challenge across the league.”
Part of that development has been the impact of the next generation. A number of U19 players at Cardiff City have once again seen first team football this season, particularly in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup.
Bute Energy Welsh Cup
Semi-Finals preview
“The setup at Cardiff is fantastic at the moment,” Price explained. “We’ve got our U13s under way, we’ve got our U19s, that player pathway has been so beneficial to the first team. You can see the quality coming through, and adding to the quality on the pitch.
“But also having that balance of players coming in and the experience on the pitch has just been great this year and it’s linked up really well. The futures looking really promising for the club.”
Silverware has always been the aim for Cardiff City, and that hasn’t changed, with a win on Sunday taking another step to doing that this season.
“We set our goals at the start of this season and they haven’t changed,” Price said. “They won’t change until the end of the season, we’re all in this together.
“One of them is to win this cup, and we’re going to do everything we can to achieve that goal. We’re excited to take on these big games. I have every confidence in the players and the staff that we’re going to deliver on Sunday and get ourselves through to that final.”
