Bluebird Walsh has sights set on upsetting trend in final against Met
CARDIFF Met may have their eyes firmly fixed on an impressive Welsh women’s football cup double, but Cardiff City skipper Siobhan Walsh claims the time is right for Cardiff City to get back on the winning trail.
Five times the two teams have met this season and the Bluebirds haven’t been able to pick up a win to date. That list of failures also includes an agonising late defeat in the Genero Adran Trophy final.
But Walsh is ready to make it sixth time lucky today in the FAW Women’s Cup Final when the two teams go head-to-head for one last time this season at the SDM Glass Stadium in Bridgend (kick-off 2.00pm).
“I’ve been at the club for 10 years and in that time I’ve won the league and the FAW Women’s Cup, but there’s definitely space on the mantelpiece for another medal. I think it’s time,” said Bluebirds’ skipper Siobhan Walsh.
“Being in the final proves all the work we’ve put in. It’s been difficult with things stopping and starting, so to win a trophy this year would be the perfect end to the season.
“Our coach Iain (Derbyshire) is obviously doing something right because this is the best year we’ve had for a long time. All the players are buying into what he’s doing and we play good football across the park.
“Phoebie (Poole) is our top scorer, so she gets the goals for us, and our midfield is very important. They win some big battles for us.
“Everyone wants to win some trophies, but we all love this team. We play for Cardiff for a reason and to win a trophy together would be great.”
Met took home what is effectively the League Cup last month after a late winner by Emily Allen from the penalty spot, although it took a wonder save from goalkeeper Annabel Sweeney to stop an added time penalty from Phoebie Poole taking the game into extra-time.
That was the fourth win they have notched over the Bluebirds this season in all competitions, with another game ending in a draw. The Archers also finished one place above them in the league, finishing as runners-up to champions Swansea City.
Met coach Yzzy Taylor is one of the stalwarts at the Cyncoed-based club and can’t wait for another epic to unfold in front of the Sgorio TV cameras in Bridgend today.
“It was a crazy ending to the final last month and credit to them because they pushed us all the way, but we were buzzing to get our hands on the trophy after the late goal,” said Taylor.
“All of our focus is on the final, so it’s an exciting period for us. I’m sure it will be a great occasion to sign off the season and hopefully we will have plenty of people in attendance.”
The Archers are current holders of the trophy after a 2-0 win over Abergavenny in the 2019 final, but Cardiff City are certainly up for the challenge. Bluebirds’ boss Iain Derbyshire is going into the game confident his side can secure some silverware silverware this season.
“Our performance in league cup final was fantastic. I thought we were better team, but we didn’t get the rub of the green,” said Derbyshire.
“But now we’ve got to flip that loss and everyone’s focused and ready to put things right. We’ve got a squad of fantastic footballers.
“They’re good, technical footballers who understand the game tactically.”