Cardiff City were able to lift the Adran Premier trophy in style at Cardiff City Stadium, thanks to a 5-1 thumping against Wrexham.
First-half goals from Rhianne Oakley, Mikayla Cook and Siobhan Walsh, coupled with two strikes in the second half through Eliza Collie and Olivia Basham, ensured it was a comfortable afternoon for the Bluebirds.
Carra Jones scored a late stunner for Wrexham, but it wasn’t to be for them, as they were never able to get out of first gear. But they were certainly punished by a ruthless City side.
Cardiff City manager Iain Darbyshire elected to make five changes from his side’s last outing, which was a defeat away to Swansea City. Amongst those to return to the lineup were captain Siobhan Walsh and forward Molly Kehoe.
For Wrexham, Steve Dale chose to make two changes from their last game, which was a victory over Aberystwyth Town. Phoebe Davies and Mari Gibbard were brought back into the line-up, with Erin Lovett and Ava Suckley dropping out.
It certainly felt like a day of celebration down at Cardiff City Stadium, and that celebratory mood was further enhanced with an early goal. Molly Kehoe spotted the run of Rhianne Oakley, and the winger composed herself brilliantly to round the keeper and finding the far post.
The good times continued for City as they tried to force a second goal. Hollie Smith headed just wide, as did Eliza Collie. Mikayla Cook hit the crossbar, while Ffion Price did have the ball in the net, only for the offside flag to halt any sort of celebration.
From a Wrexham perspective, the closest they came was through a Carra Jones volley which sailed over the bar. The most interesting battle on the pitch was between Siobhan Walsh and Rosie Hughes. The Wrexham striker looked to use her pace to get in behind the backline, but Walsh positioned herself expertly each time, refusing the Red Dragon any sniff on goal.
City would, eventually, stretch their advantage further seven minutes before the break, and they did so in style. Cook lined up a free kick from range, and with the whip and power she was able to put on the ball, she managed to float it over Morgan. The woodwork wasn’t going to deny her this time.
Wrexham now had to make sure things didn’t get out of hand before the break, and they certainly had Morgan to thank. She made two great saves to thwart Kehoe and Seren Watkins, but there was nothing she could do to stop a third going, as Walsh nodded in Seren Watkins’ corner.
It really was a champion’s performance in the first half from City, who looked beyond comfortable.
If things weren’t going bad enough for Wrexham, they got even worse a mere eight minutes into the second half. A mix-up between Morgan and a defender allowed Collie to nick the ball and tap into an empty net. The Golden Boot now looked almost certain to head back with her come full time.
With time ticking on, Wrexham seemed to lose all steam and looked a little lost out on the field, and that was down to City being that little bit stronger and that little bit quicker to everything.
That was epitomised when the Bluebirds found their fifth of the afternoon. Cook, who ran her socks off for the whole 90 minutes, sprinted into space down the left before cutting into the box. Unselfishly, she crossed the ball over to Olivia Basham, who scored from close range.
But to their credit, Wrexham pulled one back, and they did so in stunning fashion. From around 30-yards out, Carra Jones lined up her shot and it nestled beautifully in the back of the net. Nothing Ceryn Chamberlain could do to stop that one.
But the day belonged to Cardiff City. They saw the game out in a thoroughly professional manner, despite some testing efforts from Carra Jones, and were able to celebrate with they trophy in front of their adoring fans.
The Bluebirds will be in action next weekend as they take on Swansea in the Adran Trophy final, while Wrexham will next be in action on May 5th in the Welsh Cup final against today’s opponents.
Player of the Match: Mikayla Cook
For me, Cook is a strong contender to be Young Player of the Season, and performances like the one she put in today showed why. The way she can bring the ball forward and put in dangerous crosses, and her dead ball ability was on show throughout, and she can definitely reflect on a tremendous season.
Cardiff City
Ceryn Chamberlain (Anna Phelps 74’), Ffion Price (Lisa Owen 71’), Hannah Power, Siobhan Walsh ©, Rhianne Oakley (Olivia Basham 64’), Seren Watkins, Molly Kehoe (Kerry Walklett 63’), Hollie Smith, Mikayla Cook, Emma Beynon (Kelly Adams 71’), Eliza Collie
Goals: Rhianne Oakley (7’), Mikayla Cook (38’), Rhianne Oakley (44’), Eliza Collie (53’), Olivia Basham (69’)
Wrexham
Del Morgan, Phoebe Davies, Olivia Fuller, Brooke Cairns, Rebecca Pritchard, Rosie Hughes (Amber Lightfoot 54’), TJ Dickens (Annie Small 54’), Carra Jones, Lili Jones, Keren Allen ©, Mari Gibbard
Unused Subs: Charlotte Bolland, Erin Lovett, Libby Mackenzie
Goals: Carra Jones (71’)
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