Cardiff City won the treble on Sunday but had to battle hard to overcome Wrexham 2-0 in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup final at Rodney Parade.
A first half finish from Rhianne Oakley, coupled with a stoppage time stunner from Emma Beynon secured the crown for City, who become the first side to complete the treble since Cardiff Met in 2019.
Here’s how we rate every player who stepped onto the Rodney Parade pitch in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup final.
WREXHAM
Del Morgan – 6
Made some really important saves in the first half to keep the score down. Wasn’t as busy in the second half but was really impressed with her distribution throughout the game.
Phoebe Davies – 8
A superb performance from the full-back. Tracked back, got forward, wasn’t afraid of going into tackles; she really shined on Sunday and certainly didn’t deserve to be on the losing side today.
Erin Lovett – 6
Another solid performer at the back. Sometimes played at centre-back, sometimes out in the full-back spot, but never looked over roared by the occasion, and thought she dealt with City’s attackers well.
Keren Allen – 9
You talk about a captain’s performance, and that’s exactly what Allen provided at Rodney Parade. She was an absolute warrior at the back, making those last-ditch challenges, last second blocks. Allen was nothing short of sublime. Subbed off 93rd minute.
Rebecca Pritchard – 6
You know what you’re going to get with Pritchard, and she put in a good display once again. Playing a range of positions down the right, her deliveries were good, her tackling was good, and she never gave up.
Lili Jones – 6
The midfield had a difficult afternoon. Up against Seren Watkins and Beynon, you know you’re in for a tough afternoon. I thought she was quiet in the first half, but really picked up in the second, providing balls through to the front line.
Liv Fuller – 6
Fuller was another who played in multiple positions and looked adequate in each one of them. Performed well in her battles with a number of City players and has really added something to this Wrexham team.
Amber Lightfoot – 7
Her battle all afternoon with Ffion Price was fantastic to watch. Thought she got the better of the experienced wing-back and caused her problems, but she could and perhaps should have scored at least one during the game.
Brooke Cairns – 5
Today was difficult for a player who likes to operate between a very solid and experienced Cardiff defence and midfield, so perhaps didn’t have as much influence on the game as she would have liked. Subbed off 57th minute.
Mari Gibbard – 5
Up against Mikayla Cook for large parts on the wing, and when Cook is playing in the kind of form that she’s in, it’s hard to get into the game. Subbed off 69th minute.
Carra Jones – 6
During the first half in particular, Jones looked incredibly lively and hungry, ready to cause the City defence plenty of problems. Dropped off a little in the second, but in the first 45, she was making things happen.
Annie Small – 5
Subbed on 57th minute. Didn’t really do too much when she came on, maybe struggled to play that middle role with a strong Cardiff defence up against her.
Rosie Hughes – 5
Subbed on 69th minute. Came on to try and change the game, but I felt like she struggled to get up to speed. Wasn’t able to create any chances, couldn’t get in behind, and I don’t think Hughes has been the same player since her injury earlier in the season.
Katie Sharp – N/A
Subbed on 93rd minute. Wasn’t on the field long enough to make an impact.
Wrexham 0-2 Cardiff City: Bluebirds complete maiden treble
CARDIFF CITY
Ceryn Chamberlain – 7
The way Chamberlain moved in and around the box on Sunday was a lesson to all young keepers. Always beating forwards to the ball, clearing danger, made important saves. One or two nervy moments, but she was brilliant.
Ffion Price – 5
Was up against Amber Lightfoot and thought she struggled at times during the tussle. Tried to get forward but her passes weren’t as pinpoint as they normally are. Never stopped running but wasn’t quite her day. Subbed off 94th minute.
Hannah Power – 5
From a positional standpoint was good, but from a distribution point of view, was maybe below the high level that she sets herself. The second half was nervy, but she put in some good tackles and blocks to help the Bluebirds to the trophy.
Siobhan Walsh – 6
Normally we see Walsh as this tough tackling, no-nonsense defender, but on Sunday, I thought she played more of a quarterback role. She was allowed time to scan the pitch, spray balls out and pick any teammate at will. Of course, her defending was stellar too.
Meg Bowen – 6
There is a chant that claims, if you threw a brick at Meg Bowen, she would head it right back, and we saw that on Sunday. Anything that came at her in the air, she would always win the ball. Was able to get back into position quickly and was unlucky to see her goal disallowed for offside.
Mikayla Cook – 9
For me, the Player of the Match. The way she can take on her marker down the left and speed away from everyone is mesmeric. Her touches are nigh on perfect, and she was a constant pain in the side of Wrexham.
Seren Watkins – 7
Watkins showed the aggression and tenacity that we’ve come to know, but there was also the finesse and calm side to her game that we also saw. She moved out wide too to help the team and aimed to connect with as many teammates as possible.
Emma Beynon – 9
Without a doubt, the signing of the season. She’s the ying to Watkins’ yang, and the calmness she provides in the middle of the park is so necessary. Her goal just epitomised the kind of player that she is, and it capped off a superlative season. Subbed off 94th minute.
Rhianne Oakley – 7
In the first half, thought she looked like the best player. A constant threat, always looking to run in behind, and scored a well taken goal as a result of that. Not quite as dangerous in the second half, but a good display. Subbed off 76th minute.
Eliza Collie – 6
A quiet day for the Adran Premier top scorer. Thought Kehoe and Oakley had more about them today, but have to say, she was marked impeccably by Keren Allen. Could have had a goal at the end, only for the post to deny her.
Molly Kehoe – 8
Was really good for large parts. Always looked busy, always willing to press, and her dribbling ability was outstanding. Probably City’s brightest spark in the second half too. Subbed off 88th minute.
Lisa Owen – 5
Subbed on 76th minute. Was only on for 15 or so minutes, but helped to ease City over the line with her marauding runs down the right.
Kelly Adams – N/A
Subbed on 88th minute. Wasn’t on long enough to make an impact.
Hollie Smith – N/A
Subbed on 94th minute. Was only on the pitch for two minutes, so didn’t make much of an impact.
Kerry Walklett – N/A
Subbed off 94th minute. Similar to Smith, just wasn’t on long enough to make an impression.
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