PREVIEW: Can Wrexham AFC Women make it third time lucky in Welsh Cup against Cardiff City?

Wrexham v Cardiff City – Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-final, Sunday, March 8, 4.30 pm at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth

Will it be third time lucky for Wrexham AFC Women when they tackle holders Cardiff City in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-finals this weekend?

The great rivals will clash for the third occasion in three weeks this Sunday at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, (kick-off 4.30 pm, match live on S4C) with a place in the final at stake.

The number ‘three’ is pretty significant in the latest battle between the pride of the North and the stars of the South.

Wrexham will be aiming to make it an unprecedented three wins in a row over the Bluebirds having beaten them in the Genero Adran Trophy final and away in the Adran Premier over the past fortnight.

On a less positive note, the Red Dragons have lost the last two Welsh Cup finals to Iain Darbyshire’s side, so another defeat in Sunday’s semi is a three-timer they will want to avoid.

WREXHAM v CARDIFF CITY – HEAD TO HEAD

2025-26
Cardiff City 1 Wrexham 3 (Adran Premier)
Wrexham 2 Cardiff City 2 (Wrexham won 4-2 on pens – Genero Adran Trophy Final)
Cardiff City 2 Wrexham 1 (Adran Premier)
Wrexham 1 Cardiff City 1 (Adran Premier)
2024-25
Cardiff City 3 Wrexham 1 (Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final)
Wrexham 4 Cardiff City 2 (Adran Premier – Phase 2)
Cardiff City 1 Wrexham 2 (Adran Premier – P2)
Cardiff City 4 Wrexham 1 (Adran Premier – P1)
Wrexham 0 Cardiff City 2 (Adran Premier – P1)
2023-24
Cardiff City 2 Wrexham 0 (Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final)
Cardiff City 5 Wrexham 1 (Adran Premier – P2)
Wrexham 1 Cardiff City 6 (Adran Premier – P2)
Cardiff City 3 Wrexham 0 (Adran Premier – P1)
Wrexham 0 Cardiff City 3 (Adran Premier – P1)
Wrexham 1 Cardiff City 3 (Genero Adran Trophy)

LEAGUE WINS
Cardiff City 7 Wrexham 3
CUP WINS
Cardiff City 3 Wrexham 1

FAW INTERVIEW: WREXHAM’S NAT CLARK

With two statement wins in previous weeks, WREXHAM MIDFIELDER NAT CLARK explains there is a growing confidence in the group.
“Confidence is high in the group, especially when you win big games at key moments in the season, it’s been very important. If you were to take it back a couple of weeks ago it seems like there’s been a shift, not necessarily in mentality but a change in belief,” she said.
“It’s important that we’re able to win in any aspect, and it’s been proven over the last two weeks. I think we played well two weeks ago when we did eventually win on penalties, but we’re confident in ourselves that we’re able to get the job done in 90 minutes and that showed last week.
“There’s been a stark difference in terms of the quality last season to this season. That’s not just necessarily the players that we’ve brought in, but it’s been the development of players that we’ve had continuing from last season. That’s credit to management, the environment that we’ve got at The Rock, the work that everyone puts in behind the scenes.

“This stage of the season, everybody is so important and everyone plays their part. Obviously Jenny picks the starting eleven, but it’s for everybody to make sure we’re building the foundations properly and also ensuring we’re setting standards within training so that everybody can implement themselves going forward on a Sunday.
“We’ve got a lot of young players in the squad now and that’s also within the starting eleven. We’ve figured out not long ago that the average age in the squad is something like 23/24, which is incredible if you think about a lot of the players with the experiences that they’ve had at such a young age, but I think that’s testament to what we’re building as well.”

Wrexham’s performances have stepped up a level this season and after claiming their first piece of major silverware a fortnight ago, the treble is still on for the Red Dragons.
However, Clark says that there’s been an improvement of the quality in Welsh football as a whole, having seen the development of the Genero Adran Premier since joining from FA Women’s National League side Liverpool Feds in 2024, where she spent over eight years of her career.
“There’s been a difference in how good the quality is. I’ve seen a massive difference, even in this one year I’ve been here, the quality of players that it’s not only attracting but the development and the way the league’s going is a testament to football in Wales in general.
“For me coming here, it’s different, it was a new challenge at that time and it’s something I embraced straight away.
“I’ve loved it. Sometimes it sounds a bit clichéd but you spend more time with these players than you do your family and your friends, so you’re able to build these really close relationships with players and form good working relationships on the pitch with them. When you have really good foundations within that setup, it’s key to success on the pitch and we’re starting to reap the rewards now.
“Coming from somewhere where I was for such a long period of my career, the change was different when you set yourself into a new environment. I didn’t necessarily find it hard to adapt straight away because of how welcoming everyone was. It was an environment that I loved to be in and I thought this is me. The players that were here embraced me really well, and I think I’ve been able to do that for a lot of the new girls that have come in this year.
“It’s testament to the girls that were already here for creating such a great environment that people were wanting to come and join.”

It was a memorable night at the Bangor City Stadium two weeks ago, as Wrexham claimed their first major piece of silverware, and they are thriving in the Genero Adran Premier having already passed their points tally last season.
There is an ambition throughout the squad, and an extra motivation to achieve success in a competition they’ve been so close to winning for two years.
“It’s one of those one’s that we’re chasing,” Clark said. “From personal experience from playing in it last year, we know we underperformed on the day, although we did have chances, ultimately we weren’t the best team on the pitch.
“Moving forward now, there’s girls who have experienced that heartbreak twice. The girls are confident, we know we’re able to beat Cardiff now. I think that’s something we can take with us going into the game. Getting into the Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final would be a really positive thing, and one we’re all chasing.
“The relentless nature comes from focusing on the next game, just the next game. Often in football it’s quite easy to get carried away with yourselves, that’s where you see things eventually fall apart. When you’re staying on track focusing on the next game, that’s where you want to be.
“There’s no shame in us saying that we want to be the best team in Wales. To do that you’ve got to win everything that’s put in front of you.”

Coming towards the end of her second season at the club, Clark is a vital part of The Red Dragons’ midfield, having now played 50 games in all competitions in Wrexham colours.
Already having achieved so much at the club, Clark is looking to use that experience that she has already gained in her career to push the squad and herself further.
“For me personally it’s just constantly developing. We’ve got a really good group and experienced staff, and they’re bringing so much knowledge to the team. As an individual I’m always wanting to learn.
“I see myself as a leader both on and off the pitch so it’s about expanding those qualities and ensuring we’re creating an environment where not only are we winners, but it’s a team where people want to play and are there for longevity and we can see the process. For myself, that’s something I’d really quite like to pride myself on from being able to do.”