Preview | Swansea City Women v Llandudno Women
Swansea City Women will be looking to book their place in the semi-finals of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup this afternoon when they face Llandudno FC Women at the Llandarcy Academy of Sport this afternoon (2pm).
The Swans have the chance to reach the last four for the first time since 2024, when their run was ended by Cardiff City Women. They will also be targeting their first triumph in the competition in eight years, having last lifted the trophy in 2018 for what was the third Welsh Cup victory in the club’s history.
Yzzy Taylor’s side booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 4-0 victory over Cardiff Met Women before an emphatic 10-0 win against CPDM Llanystumdwy Women.
Llandudno will be looking to create history of their own, having enjoyed their longest-ever run in the competition.
Their path to the quarter-finals has included a 2-1 victory over Connah's Quay Nomads Women to qualify for the competition, a penalty shootout win against Llangefni Town Women, and a 3-1 triumph over Wrexham Foresters Women in the last 16.
Pre-match views
Head coach Yzzy Taylor: "The weather has really affected our schedule over the last couple of weeks so it will be good to get back out there. Cup games bring their own excitement and it’s a game we are really looking forward too.
"We know the history of the club and how successful we have been in this competition. However we have to keep focused on the next game ahead of us and that is Llandudno this weekend. We know that they will come down and want to cause an upset so we have to be ready to bring our best performance possible.
"I think this week we have really been able to focus on ourselves and look at what we need to bring to the match. We can prepare for a variety of scenarios but we won’t know what’s in front of us until the game starts. I’m confident that the group are prepared and will give it our best shot.
“Momentum is something we want to keep building, but we take each game as it comes and our full focus is on this weekend and getting the job done.”
Last time out - 3rd December 2023
A five-goal haul from Emily Thomas saw the Swans cruise to a 13-0 victory over their quarter-final opponents in the first round of the Genero Adran Trophy during the 2023-24 season.
There were six different goalscorers on the day, with Chloe Chivers, Robin Pinder, Stacey John, Katy Hosford and Jessica Williams also getting on the scoresheet in a comprehensive win.
Thomas opened the scoring with her first goal for the club inside just two minutes, before Chivers added a second. Thomas then struck again to give the Swans a three-goal lead inside the opening 15 minutes.
The winger completed her hat-trick just five minutes later with a simple finish from a superb Chivers delivery, before adding her fourth in the 28th minute by converting a cross from Hosford. Forward Pinder then grabbed a brace in the space of eight minutes to send the Swans into the break with a commanding seven-goal advantage.
Swansea showed no signs of easing off after half-time, with Chivers netting her second of the afternoon following an excellent delivery from Thomas.
The provider then turned scorer once more, adding her fifth goal with 20 minutes remaining by firing into the top corner for Swansea’s ninth.
John added a 10th with eight minutes to play, finishing smartly inside the area, before a flurry of three goals in as many minutes saw Hosford and Williams both score their first of the match, with John rounding off the scoring with her second of the afternoon.
Swansea City Women: Opal Rayner, Steph Turner (Alicia Powe 52) (Katie Lee 68), Ellie Lake, Rachel Cullen (Sammy Wynne 58), Robyn Pinder (Lucy Finch 52), Chloe Chivers (Stacey John-Davis 58), Katy Hosford (captain), Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Monet Legall, Emily Thomas, Jess Williams.