City Women delivered a commanding performance on Sunday afternoon, running out 4-0 winners against Aberystwyth Town at Park Hall.
Iain Darbyshire elected to make six changes to the team that beat Pontypridd United last Sunday, with Ceryn Chamberlain, Nieve Jenkins, Hannah Power, Kerry Walklett, Laura Curnock and Mackenzie Olden all recalled to the starting eleven.
City started on the front foot and carved out the opening chances. A long ball from Shannon Evans released Mikayla Cook down the flank, whose dangerous cross caused problems in the Aberystwyth box, though no City player was able to apply the finishing touch.
The breakthrough soon followed. Olden had time to deliver an inviting ball into the box, which fell kindly for Lisa Owen to fire home with a superb strike, giving City a deserved lead.
Opportunities continued to flow, as Lily Billingham saw a well-struck volley saved by the goalkeeper, before Olden went close with an effort that flew over the bar from a promising position.
In the 26th minute, the Bluebirds nearly doubled their advantage when Cook’s long-range free kick tested Sophie Steele, who was forced into a good save.
City picked up where they left off after the break, again pushing for a second goal. In the 51st minute, Jenkins delivered a fantastic ball into the area which landed at the feet of Cook, but her effort drifted narrowly wide of the post.
The pressure eventually told in the 55th minute. A free kick from the left-hand side was whipped in by Evans, and Olden headed home from close range, doubling City’s lead. Olden almost had her second soon after, but her effort from inside the six-yard box agonisingly cleared the bar.
The Bluebirds made the result safe in the 72nd minute when they were awarded a penalty following a handball in the Aberystwyth area. Curnock stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to make it 3-0.
City weren’t finished there, and in stoppage time added a fourth. In the 97th minute, Ffion Price’s cross from the left flew all the way into the roof of the net, sealing a comprehensive 4-0 victory.
MATCH REACTION | IAIN DARBYSHIRE
“I thought it was a very dominant performance.” Iain began. “I think we dominated every phase of the game.
“It’s really pleasing to see that we can do that and be consistent for ninety minutes and really limit them to not having many chances. I thought our build-up play was really good, exceptional at times in the game, and the patience as well.
“We didn’t want to play a transition game today, we wanted to control everything. I think we did that from the start, and the result speaks for itself.
“We want to win every single game and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure we do it.”
MATCH REACTION | LILY BILLINGHAM
“I thought it was a very difficult game.” Lily began. “They were hard to break down, but I felt like we controlled the game really well and got the result we wanted."