Cardiff City Women produced a professional performance by beating Briton Ferry Llansawel 4-1 and returning to the top of the Genero Adran Premier table.
Head coach Iain Darbyshire elected to make seven changes to the side that played Trefelin in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup. Ceryn Chamberlain, Ffion Price, Nieve Jenkins, Hannah Power, Megan Bowen, Mikayla Cook and Mackenzie Olden all returned to the starting XI.
The game’s first real chance came after 15 minutes, as City won a corner and worked it short. Fiona Barry looked towards goal with an effort just outside the area, however it sailed over the bar.
But the Bluebirds wouldn’t have to wait much longer to break the deadlock, as Olden fired low into the net inside the area minutes later to open the scoring.
City remained in the ascendancy and looked to double their advantage, with efforts from Bowen and Cook going close but were both denied by Courtney Young in the Ferry goal.
However, with 10 minutes to go in the first half, the Bluebirds did manage to grab a second. Following a neat ball from Amy Long to find Olden in behind the defence, the forward reached the ball first and put it beyond Young, only for Laura Curnock to run on the end of it and smash into the net.
With the visitors two goals up at half time, they continued to control possession and boast the bulk of the chances. Cook came close to getting on the scoresheet after being found by Barry with a ball over the top of the defence, Cook came one on one with the goalkeeper but was denied by a strong save.
City welcomed back both Seren Thomas and Madison Lloyd from the bench following their spells in the first half of the season at Pontypridd United, and the latter made an immediate impact, setting up Kerry Walklett in the area to add their third of the evening.
And just three minutes later, Long scored her second goal in two games capitalising on a parried ball by Young and fire home for the fourth goal. The hosts responded in the final period of the game through former City player Grace Evans, who scored a well taken goal into the top corner.
But City emerged as the winners and with the three points, returned back to the top of the Adran Premier table. Next up for the side is a return to Genero Adran Trophy action with a trip to TNS on Sunday, January 18th, 2pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: BRITON FERRY LLANSAWEL 1-4 CARDIFF CITY
Briton Ferry Llansawel: Young, Walkley, Broadley (Kett-White 80’), Llewellyn, Powell © (Thomas 71’), Roberts (Denscombe 67’), Kearle, Owen (Evans 71’), Welch, Crofts (Howells 80’), Peyton. Subs Not Used: Ridings.
Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Price (Owen 66’), Bowen, Jenkins, Long, Power ©, Walklett (Nicholls 78’), Cook, Barry (Lloyd 66’), Olden (Perrott 71’), Curnock. Subs Not Used: Saunders, Ashun.
REACTION | IAIN DARBYSHIRE
“I thought it was a really good performance”. Iain began. “We know it’s difficult to come here and they are a good side who are very disciplined and structured. In the first half, we had 70-80% possession and had some really good moments. There were a few times we tried to force it centrally but that’s something we tidied up in the second half.
“The scoreline speaks for itself but credit to Briton Ferry. I thought the pitch was the best we’ve ever played here, and their staff worked hard to get it to where it is. But regardless of where we play, we always try to dominate. We’re built to play in many different ways and overall, we’re happy to be back at the top of the league.
Following the culmination of their spells at Pontypridd United, Seren Thomas and Madison Lloyd returned to action for City, with Lloyd making an immediate impact for the Bluebirds by setting up the third goal.
“It was great to have both of them back in the side. We put Maddie on, and she got an assist straight away which was great and for Seren, she’s learnt the discipline side of her game while being away so credit to Pontypridd for how they’ve worked with both of them.
“Across the board, we’ve got so many great players who can step up at any time but we don’t want to be reliant on individual players. We know that the team structure needs to be right, and I thought we handled that perfectly today.
“We’re aware of how demanding the league is and know the second half will be unforgiving. I’m really happy with where the squad is at the minute.
"The demand to go out every single week and get three points and progress through the cup competitions is hard but credit to these players though, you can see the togetherness and how we’re playing as a team which is setting us up well for the next part of the season.”