Cardiff City won their fourth consecutive Bute Energy Welsh Cup with a 3-1 victory over Wrexham at Rodney Parade.
It was a quick start to the game, as Lily Billingham scored a stunning strike from distance after just six minutes. Speaking after the game, the youngster credited her manager for the goal.
“I do have to credit Iain a bit for that goal, because in training he always tells me to shoot if I have the ball and I’m in space, so I did this time and luckily it went in! It was a really special goal to score. This is the fourth time we’ve won this trophy, my second, and it’s just a great feeling.”
Report: Wrexham 1-3 Cardiff City
The second goal came via a Shannon Evans header. Describing the goal, the defender said it was a joy to score in front of her loved ones.
“I saved that goal for the cup final in front of all my family and friends! It was an amazing feeling to score. The sun was in my eyes to be honest, so I just jumped, tried to get my head on it, and thankfully it went in. The first thing I wanted to do was to celebrate with my family, and so I ran straight to them.”
Wrexham came back by scoring a penalty through Abbie Iddenden, and they could have levelled through another spot kick, but Ceryn Chamberlain denied Ava Suckley.
Fiona Barry sealed the victory for City midway through the half, and Amy Long believes it was a game her side deserved to win.
“I felt like we controlled the game in phases. At times we did give the ball away a bit, but thankfully, Wrexham didn’t punish us. Overall, I thought we controlled the game more and we took our chances when it mattered.”
All three of these players have had great journeys on their way to completing the double this season.
For Long, who joined from Barry Town United midway through the season, while admitting the transition was difficult, she says the hard work has all paid off.
“It’s been a tough transition coming from Barry to here, but the girls have been great, and the fans have been so welcoming. I was thrown into the deep end a bit playing full back, which isn’t my position. But the support I’ve had from the girls and the staff has been amazing. I came to this club to win trophies, and I’m glad I’ve done that this season.”
As far as Player of the Match Billingham is concerned, she rejoined the club last summer, and she explained all she wanted to do on her return was to win more trophies.
“It’s special to do the double this season. I came back to this club because I wanted to win some silverware, and that’s what we’ve done this season, so it’s a great achievement all round for us.”
Finally, in terms of Shannon Evans, she has had an incredible campaign.
Evans won Players’ Player of the Year, and the Player of the Year awards at Cardiff City this season, and after almost calling time on her career, the veteran is delighted to have done what she’s done this year.
“I have no words for what we’ve accomplished this season. It’s been so special, and I said to Iain, special is the only word to describe it. I’ve played football since I was about twelve; I played for Cardiff City before but never managed to win anything. So to do this when I was about to retire, to come back and do all this, is amazing.”
