Wrexham AFC Women manager Steve Dale revealed his excitement ahead of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup final, as the Red Dragons travel down to Rodney Parade to face Cardiff City.
The match marks Wrexham’s final fixture of the 2023/24 campaign, and provides an opportunity to end a thoroughly successful debut campaign in the Genero Adran Premier on a high.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Dale stated: “We’re really excited. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to be in a cup final.
“You don’t know how often these opportunities come along, so you have to embrace it and take everything out of the occasion.”
There’s been a long break since the end of the league campaign, which has provided an opportunity to recover and give full focus on the cup final.
“This week it has started to feel a lot more real,” he said. "The last few days have been crucial for our preparations.
“The break after the end of the season hasn’t been ideal, but we’ve managed to get a few matches in place alongside training sessions to help us prepare for the match.
“Preparations have gone well, we’re in a good place and we can’t wait to get out there and give everything for the Club to hopefully bring that trophy home.”
Having played in high-profile matches at the SToK Cae Ras, Swansea.com Stadium and the Cardiff City Stadium, today’s final provides a chance to play at Rodney Parade for the first time this season.
Speaking about those occasions, Dale explained: “We’ve had some really good experiences this season and played in some good venues - this is obviously a new one, and a big one as there is a trophy on the line. We’re really looking forward to the occasion and everything that comes with it.
“Cardiff will obviously be a very good test for us and we haven’t had the results that we wanted against them this season, but in a cup final I'm sure the girls will give everything to make sure we do win the trophy at the end of the game.
“There’s been a few fine margins in certain games that just haven’t gone our way and I think that it is really important that we focus on what we can do well to cause them problems.
“We’ve had to fine tune a few things and we must be defensively organised, but it is an opportunity for us to progress.”
Dale concluded by praising the loyal support that his side have received over the course of the 2023/24 campaign, saying: “The support that we have had this season is outstanding, and I'd personally like to thank everyone that has come along.
“It’s not just the home games, they’ve dedicated their time to away trips as well so it’s really important that we put in a performance that they can be proud of. .
“It would be great to picture those scenes at the end and reward their loyal support with a cup to bring back to Wrexham.”
