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![]() Cardiff City ended their season with a clinical 9-0 beating of NEWI Wrexham in the final of the FA of Wales Cup. This was Cardiff's seventh Welsh Cup win from nine final appearances and their sixth victory in succession, confirming their status as the best women's football club in Wales. The champions have stretched their unbeaten run in this competition to 24 matches and last tasted defeat back in February 2002 when they lost to Barry Town, who have since disbanded, at the quarter final stage. In the build-up to the final, Cardiff were denied the services of Welsh international midfielder, Charlotte Miller, who was diagnosed with the measles. Loren Dykes stepped up as captain for the day and led her side out on a gloriously sunny day at Rhayader Town, Following the National Anthem, it was Cardiff who started the brighter. Within two minutes Natasha Harding was through on goal but put her effort into the side netting. Carla Parfitt bamboozled her way past Elaine Owen on the right wing and fed the ball to Kelly Isaac whose shot went just wide. Another chance went begging when centre back Lauren Townsend found herself in plenty of space and her forging run set up Harding who again shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. The pressure eventually lead to a goal after 15 minutes. Dykes and Harding exchanging passes and crossing to an unmarked Marie Barrow in the box who put the ball home from close range. Cardiff doubled their lead after 34 minutes with an individual strike from Harding from an acute angle and three minutes later the result was wrapped up when Parfitt crossed perfectly for Dykes to hammer home. Wrexham's Amber Dean in goal did well to tip over a good effort from Isaac, however Dykes added her second and Cardiff's fourth goal just before half time. In the second period it was all one-way traffic. Despite some stoic defending from the North Wales outfit, Cardiff dominated possession and territory and were the only team creating any chances. Harding and Barrow netted their second goals of the game before substitutes Kayleigh Greening and Laurie Harries got onto the score sheet in the 76th and 87th minute respectively. Barrow completed her hat-trick in the 89th minute, and is the only Cardiff City player to have featured in all of their recent six succesful cup finals. It was a dominant display from the defending champions who will now represent Wales in the 2008-09 Women's UEFA Cup later this year. Following the presentation of the trophy Cardiff's Manager, Michele Adams, stated "We had a difficult time in the league this year but last week we beat Leeds United and we were in the correct frame of mind to play Wrexham today. We played the way we wanted and the result shows. "We will celebrate this success today and enjoy a little break before focusing on another European campaign." | |||||||||||||||||
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