On Sunday Swansea City Ladies beat Cardiff City Ladies 2-1 at the Cardiff City stadium to become the FAW Women’s Cup winners for 2018.

Now winning silverware for your club is always a great feeling, but to do it against one of your biggest rivals in their own backyard makes the taste of victory all the more sweet.

Favourites before a ball was even kicked, the Swans Ladies won the trophy for the third time in history the hard way, having to come back from a goal down against the run of play after 54 minutes.

Despite playing the better football, the Swans found Cardiff’s stubborn defence difficult to breakdown, with both sides playing their part in a typically physical derby encounter.

Neither side were given enough space or time on the ball to do enough to create many clear cut goal scoring opportunities, with the Bluebirds seemingly intent on playing a long ball or quick counter-attack through pacy striker Shannon Evans.

Thankfully the Swans were level on 64 minutes as Jodie Passmore, whom had been fouled in the box, got up and converted from the spot. The equaliser was no more than the Swans deserved, given the amount of possession and dominance they had enjoyed.

Jodie Passmore being tackled by a Cardiff player. Image Credit: NJ-D Photography

The Swans winner came on 72 minutes, when a speculative shot from winger Katy Hosford slipped through the hands of Cardiff City keeper Ceryn Chamberlain in true Joe Hart style. It was harsh on the Bluebirds keeper, as up until that point she had been in fine form to deny the Swans on several occasions.

Midfielder Emma Beynon almost extended the Swans lead in injury time, but her shot went agonisingly past the post with the goalkeeper well beaten.

The final whistle was greeted with wails of delight by players, coaching staff and fans alike, with much of the 476 crowd staying behind to applaud the Cup winners.

In truth, the better side won on the day and perhaps it was just reward for the Swans Ladies, having suffered a heartbreaking defeat during the penalty shoot-out in last year’s final against Cardiff Met Ladies.

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