WOW WOW WOW! BWFC girls have done it again! The WFA National Cup 2026 took place last weekend under blistering heat at Gloucester Uni thanks to sponsors AXA. The four time winners knew this year would be a tough ask as they played to retain their title.
The first match of the group stage against Bristol Badgers was a tight affair ending 0-0, no goals conceded but none scored was a worry.
The team now settled and acclimatising to the heat after a break went into their next game against Melksham on a mission. Paula Smart opened the score line with Donna Nash following it up shortly after. Joy Mason, Tracy Dudwell joined them on the score sheet with Donna putting the game to bed with her second of the day making the final score 5-0.
The third and final group game was against Bracknell Town, where this time Nic Edwards sealed the game with a match winning goal. A relieved Tracy in goal going into the semis without conceeding!
Semi final time! This year against an organised Abbeymeade. This proved to be a test for Birmingham having gone in 0-0 at half time the girls knew they had to break down the defense or risk losing their title.
Abbeymeade stood firm throughout and stopped Birmingham scoring taking the game to penalties! Manager Dee Reade had her penalty takers prepped and ordered. Lorraine Robinson was to go first, followed by Joy Mason and Nic Edwards. Robbo slotted it past the Abbeymeade keeper top right. With the score line then 1-1 after Birmingham concede their first goal the pressure was on Joy to score. Had it not been for the power behind the ball the keeper may have stopped it, as it was it hit the net and gave us the ticket to the final against Forest Vets.
Birmingham now in their FIFTH National Cup final felt the pressure to secure the win. A hard game against a quality Forest side ensued. It wasn’t until Joy beat the vets keeper that Birmingham relaxed a little and managed the game out to become National Cup winners once again.
To say the club are proud is an understatement!
#AXA #WOMENSWALKINGFOOTBALL #FUNFITNESSFRIENDSHIP #BIRMINGHAMWALKINGFOOTBALL #THEWALKINGFOOTBALLASSOCIATION
