45 teams entered the 2022/23 FAW Women’s Cup and now only two remain as Cardiff City and Briton Ferry Llansawel get set to battle it out in the 29th final at Penydarren Park on Sunday.
The Bluebirds, who lifted the trophy last season following a 2-0 victory over Cardiff Met, began their quest to defend it with a 4-0 win over Cascade back in October, with Eliza Collie’s brace helping them on their way to the third round.
While Briton Ferry Llansawel secured a 16-0 win over Merthyr Town to book their place in the third round. Mollie Jones scored five, Megan Kearle and Laura-May Walkley both netted hat-tricks and substitute Freya Davies was also on target with a brace.
The third round saw both the Bluebirds and Ferry continue their impressive records in front of goal as Rhianne Oakley netted a brace in Cardiff’s 5-0 win over fellow Genero Adran Premier outfit Pontypridd United in Leckwith.
Four goals from Jess Denscombe and Lowri Baker’s hat-trick helped Briton Ferry on their way to a 9-1 win over Llanelli Town on home soil.
Another test against fellow top-flight side Abergavenny followed in the quarter-finals for the Bluebirds, who had six different goalscorers in their 6-0 victory over the Pennies in December.
Five different goalscorers were on target for Rhys James’ side in Ferry’s 5-1 away win over Cardiff Wanderers on the same day.
The semi-finals saw both sides provided with their toughest tests on their routes to the final as the Bluebirds took on Cardiff Met in a repeat of last season’s final. Rhianne Oakley scored a brace in a 2-0 win as the Bluebirds sealed their place in their second final of the campaign.
Lowri Baker, Megan Kearle and Fleur Jenkins were all on target in Briton Ferry Llansawel’s 3-0 victory over top-flight side Aberystwyth Town to ensure the Genero Adran South champions will have a shot at lifting their second piece of silverware of the season.
Bluebirds’ Route to FAW Women’s Cup Final
Round 2: Cardiff City 5-0 Cascade
Round 3: Cardiff City 5-0 Pontypridd United
Quarter-final: Cardiff City 6-0 Abergavenny
Semi-final: Cardiff Met 0-2 Cardiff City
Ferry’s Route to FAW Women’s Cup Final
Round 2: Briton Ferry 16-0 Merthyr Town
Round 3: Briton Ferry 9-1 Llanelli Town
Quarter-final: Cardiff Wanderers 1-5 Briton Ferry
Semi-final: Aberystwyth Town 0-3 Briton Ferry