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Monday, March 2, 2026

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Wrexham win first major trophy

Wrexham AFC Women made club history by lifting the Genero Adran Trophy after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Cardiff City Women in a thrilling final at Bangor City Stadium.

The Red Dragons triumphed 4-2 on spot-kicks following a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes, claiming their first major piece of silverware in front of a competition-record crowd of 1,374.

Jenny Sugarman’s side twice came from behind against the Bluebirds, with new signings Sarah Harvey and Maria Francis-Jones both starting, alongside Lili Jones returning to the line-up after three changes from their previous outing against Carmarthen Town. Cardiff also made three alterations, handing starts to Mikayla Cook, Laura Curnock, and Hannah Power.

The match began brightly, but Cardiff took an early lead after just six minutes when a right sided corner from Mackenzie Olden was met at the near post, ultimately credited as an own goal by Wrexham defender Mikayla Wildgoose.

Wrexham dominated possession in the opening stages, with Katie Barker posing threats down both flanks, though a resilient Cardiff defence held firm—Nieve Jenkins clearing a dangerous free kick in the tenth minute to deny a chance at the far post.

Goalkeepers were largely untroubled early on, but Cardiff’s Liz Craven produced the first notable save in the 22nd minute, denying Lily Billingham’s low drive at the near post after a defensive error allowed the forward to cut inside from the left. Cardiff threatened again from another Olden corner, which reached the back post before Sarah Harvey cleared.

Wrexham levelled midway through the first half when a drop ball allowed Josie Smith to advance centrally and thread a pass to Ava Suckley, who fired home from outside the area over Ceryn Chamberlain. The Red Dragons nearly went ahead on the half hour mark as a Faye Knox free kick fell to Lili Jones, whose volley from the edge of the box drifted narrowly wide of the bottom left corner.

Olden remained a menace, forcing another chance down the right with ten minutes of the half remaining, but her low cross evaded a Cardiff shirt at the far post.

The Bluebirds regained the lead in first half stoppage time: Olden’s powerful free kick struck the bar and Mikayla Cook pounced on the rebound to fire home.

Cardiff started the second period strongly but Wrexham fashioned the first chance as Maria Francis-Jones picked out Josie Smith, whose shot was headed clear by Shannon Evans. Wrexham regained control but struggled to break down a stubborn Cardiff rearguard. A rare Bluebirds error allowed Sarah Harvey a strike with 20 minutes left, though Chamberlain gathered at the second attempt.

Wrexham’s persistence paid off with ten minutes remaining when Ava Suckley fed debutant Maria Francis-Jones, who unleashed an outstanding first time left footed strike into the top left corner to make it 2-2. Both sides pressed for a winner in the closing stages, but the contest headed to penalties.

Katie Barker’s opening penalty for Wrexham was saved by Chamberlain, while Liz Craven denied Ffion Price down to her right. Mahmood converted Wrexham’s second, and Craven saved again from Mackenzie Olden to swing the momentum. Josie Smith scored for the Red Dragons, and after successful penalties from Hannah Power, Maria Francis-Jones and Fiona Barry, Faye Knox stepped up to slot home the decisive kick, sparking jubilant scenes as Wrexham claimed the trophy.