Wrexham Cup Shock And Cardiff Win Late: Welsh Football Weekend Round-Up



Rhodri Evans

It was a busy weekend in Welsh football, with full rounds of Cyrmu and Adran Premier action, Cardiff and Swansea recording wins in the Championship, and defeats for Wrexham and Newport County in the FA Cup.

Missed any of it? Read on to find out more!

Wrexham Out of the Cup to Familiar Foes

Wrexham fans must be sick of the sight of Harrogate Town by now.

The two sides have now met 11 times since 2016, with honours even: 3 wins each and five draws. With meetings coming in the National League, League Two, the FA Trophy and the FA Cup, Red Dragons fans have got used to travelling to North Yorkshire in recent times.

However, it was Harrogate who bested Wrexham in the first round of the FA Cup, with Jack Muldoon’s header producing one of the shocks of the round.

Wrexham were dominant but Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin were wayward in their efforts. George Dobson, provided with the best chance of the game following a 3 on 1, struck his shot straight at goalkeeper James Belshaw.

With Mo Fall’s late equaliser correctly ruled out for offside, Wrexham are out of the cup.

Cardiff Leave It VERY Late

Following a fourth win in six games, Cardiff City now find themselves just a point off the top half of the Championship and remarkably six points from the play-off places.

A cagey game was broken open when Borja Sainz of Norwich scored his 11th goal of the season on 52 minutes and Cardiff looked to be heading for a first defeat in five games.

However, substitute Callum Robinson wriggled free with a minute remaining to fire Cardiff level and set up a grandstand finish.

Left back Callum O’Dowda, who set up the equaliser, crashed home the winner deep into stoppage time to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

This latest victory will have done no harm to the job prospects of interim manager Omer Riza, who held ‘constructive talks’ with the Cardiff board after the match.

“We’ve had a good constructive meeting and we will move forward with that,” Riza told BBC Sport Wales.

“I was really happy with the meeting and I am sure in due course the board will talk with you guys (the media).”

Wrexham
02.11.24 – Cardiff City v Norwich City, SkyBet Championship – Callum O’Dowda of Cardiff City scores a goal to make it 2-1.

Goals Finally Come For Swansea

With a goalless October in the rear view mirror, Swansea scored their first goals since September 29th as goals from Zan Vipotnik and Florian Bianchini lead to a 2-1 victory at Oxford United.

Goals either side of halftime were deserved from the visitors, who dominated the ball and efforts on goal throughout. Dane Scarlett’s late consolation gave Oxford some hope that was ultimately unfulfilled.

After a nightmare month, Swansea are now in the top half of the Championship and with a tough run to come, Luke Williams’ side needed this victory.

02.11.24 Oxford United v Swansea City, EFL Sky Bet Championship – Florian Bianchini of Swansea City celebrates after scoring the second goal.

Newport Crash Out of the Cup Against Posh

Newport County threw away a two-goal first half advantage as they eventually capitulated against League One Peterborough United.

Goals in the first ten minutes of the match from Anthony Glennon and Kai Whitmore had Exiles fans in dreamland, but Abraham Odoh’s strike before halftime woke them up with a jolt.

The second half was all Posh as goals from Joel Randall and a late brace from Ricky-Jade Jones sealed victory for the away side.

“I’m obviously frustrated with the result, but I’m just proud of the effort of everyone,” said Newport County boss Nelson Jardim.

“I think we’ve shown that we can really compete. We had such a good start to the game, we just have to focus now on the plenty of positives we have from this game.

“We knew that we would be facing a very strong side from League One, but I’m just proud with everything, especially the first-half and the start, it was great.”

02.11.24 – Newport County v Peterborough United – Emirates FA Cup Round 1 – Anthony Glennon of Newport County celebrates scoring a goal with team mates

Gwalia United Through in Women’s FA Cup

Gwalia United thrashed Swindon Town 4-1 in the first round of the Women’s FA Cup as the only Welsh women’s club playing in England march on.

Striker Ellie Sargent opened the scoring after eight minutes, but Gwalia were pegged back by Swindon just four minutes later, who equalised through Tori St Clair.

The home side responded well, scoring twice in three minutes. First, Ruby Scahill was brought down and captain Cori Williams-Mills made no mistake with the penalty.

Two minutes later, Casi Gregson celebrated her 17th birthday by converting a cross for a 3-1 lead at halftime.

Gregson doubled her tally on the hour mark to complete the scoring, smashing home a Ruby Scahill pass.

Briton Ferry Finally Lose in the Adran Premier

Wrexham produced the performance of the weekend in the Adran Premier, beating the previously unbeaten Briton Ferry Llansawel 3-0.

As Cardiff, Swansea and The New Saints all won, this defeat was a costly one for Briton Ferry who now lie in fourth place in the table, albeit with a game in hand.

Cardiff Met and Aberystwyth Town, whose only points this season have come in their meeting with each other, are now both well adrift at the bottom of the table.

Results:

Saturday

Oxford United 1-2 Swansea City

Cardiff City 2-1 Norwich City

Newport County 2-4 Peterborough United

Barry Town United 1-4 The New Saints

Caernarfon Town 1-5 Penybont

Connah’s Quay 1-0 Cardiff Met

Haverfordwest County 4-1 Flint Town United

Newtown 0-0 Bala Town

Briton Ferry 4-0 Aberystwyth Town

Sunday

Harrogate Town 1-0 Wrexham

Gwalia United 4-1 Swindon Town

Swansea City 4-0 Cardiff Met

Cardiff City 3-0 Barry Town United

Wrexham 3-0 Briton Ferry Llansawel

Aberystwyth Town 0-1 The New Saints


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