Abergavenny Women - 0

Cardiff Met - 2

ABERGAVENNY Women made the short trip to Newport on Sunday on an historic day for the club as they took on league champions Cardiff Met in their first ever Welsh Cup Final.

Preparations had gone well during the week and with the game being streamed live the players were asked to enjoy the occasion and soak up the atmosphere.

As expected, it was a cautious start from both teams, although Abergavenny enjoyed some early possession with Laura Davies making a couple of her trademark runs from midfield.

The first goal was always going to be crucial and when it came on 20 minutes for Cardiff Met it was no surprise that it was their American import Maddison Schupbach who netted from close range.

Despite falling behind Abergavenny continued to hold their own and with Lyndsey Davies and Kate Jeremiah a constant threat up front hopes of an equaliser were high.

However, on 35 minutes hopes were dashed when, following a corner Aber failed to clear, Schupbach doubled her side’s advantage with a sublime finish.

It was a case of hold on until the break so they could regroup. A fantastic save from Charlotte Hastings and a headed chance coming back off the bar helped keep them in the game.

There was nothing but encouragement from manager Richie Jeremiah at the interval knowing his side would have to dig deep against a side who are near enough full time.

His team talk worked. Aber came out fighting in the second period and chances for Lyndsey Davies, Kate Jeremiah and a superb header from Lauren Boyd were all missed whilst another finger tip save from Hastings kept the game in the balance.

Inspirational captain Ceri Hudson drove her team forward and was visibly upset when she had to go off injured with five minutes remaining.

It was fantastic to see 16-year-old Abergavenny born Eliza Atkins come on with 10 minutes left and what an experience for such a young member of the squad.

To their great credit Abergavenny battled all the way to the end and can be very proud of their campaign knowing that a special talent from the other side of the pond was the only real difference on the day.

Although disappointed, Richie Jeremiah and Alex Vaisey praised their team for representing the club with passion, heart and desire and urged them to hold their heads up high after a day everyone involved with the club will never forget.