STEVE DALE hailed an “outstanding” performance as Wrexham pushed treble-winners Cardiff City all the way in the final of the Welsh Women’s Cup.

The Reds were underdogs for the showpiece at Newport’s Rodney Parade, but they went toe-to-toe with the Adran Premier champions, who ran out 2-0 winners.

Wrexham boss Dale told S4C’s Sgorio: “No disgrace in our performance today.

“I thought we were outstanding. The girls have been outstanding over the weekend, you know. Everything that we’ve asked from them, they’ve gone out and delivered today and I can’t be prouder of the whole group, really, for their efforts today.”

Dale’s Reds weren’t there to just make up the numbers and they had the better of the second half. The Bluebirds just know how to pick up trophies, though, and they did enough to claim a win in front of a crowd of more than 1,700.

Wrexham had a glimpse of goal when Lili Jones’ superb pass played in Carra Jones and her effort forced a diving save from Ceryn Chamberlain.

However, it was Cardiff who got the opener after a quarter-of-an-hour. Rhianne Oakley, the danger-woman in the opening stages, was in acres of space to burst into the box and her strike found the corner of the net.

That was the first goal Wrexham have conceded in the Welsh Cup this season, but the Reds went close following a scramble from a corner that went just wide.

Reds’ keeper Delyth Morgan took centre stage as the half drew to a close. Emma Beynon had a side-footed effort from 20 yards, with Morgan saving well to her left.

That save was a good one, but the next one was even better. Molly Kehoe with a great chance after bursting into the box from the left, but Morgan stood strong to deny her.

Wrexham had the first chance of the half when Carra Jones played in Rebecca Pritchard, but a terrific block from Beynon halted the danger.

Top scorer Rosie Hughes came off the bench for the last 22 minutes and while the Reds had the better of the possession, they couldn’t just create that one gilt-edged chance to draw level.

That one chance Wrexham wanted came in the final 10 minutes. The ball found Amber Lightfoot on the left and her effort was brilliantly saved by Chamberlain, while Hughes couldn’t put in the follow-up.

In added time, Cardiff made sure of their victory with a stunning 30-yard strike from Emma Beynon.

Then, before the full-time whistle, Eliza Collie hit the post from close range. That would have been so tough on the Reds had that gone in, but they can hold their heads so high - and they will be keen to challenge for silverware once again next season.

“I think we’ve got to look back with it’s been a great achievement,” added Dale. “You know, everything that we’ve done this season, we’ve gone about ourselves with a purpose. We’re a bit frustrated that we haven’t closed the gap, but that just shows how determined we are and how much expectation we have on ourselves here at the club.”