City Women remain top of the table as goals from Mackenzie Olden, Laura Curnock and Mikayla Cook secured all three points over Swansea City.
Iain Darbyshire elected to make two changes to the side that beat Barry Town last Sunday, with Megan Bowen and Amy Long coming into the starting XI.
It was a dream start for the Bluebirds, who struck two minutes into the game. Cook found herself in on goal with acres of space down the left flank. Despite her initial shot being saved by Swansea City’s Amelia Forkings, striker Olden would show her usual clinical nature in front of goal, tucking home the rebound.
Swansea City found it difficult to create chances after this, with much of the play being in their own half. The best of City Women’s chances came from Lily Billingham, whose long range effort came close to securing the Bluebirds’ second.
Two quickfire goals followed. In the 26th minute, Cook was brought down in the City box, winning her side a penalty. Curnock stepped up and doubled the hosts' advantage. After a fantastic start to the game, Cook scored a well-deserved goal 33 minutes into the game, securing Darbyshire side’s third.
There was no sign of slowing down for the hosts, with Cook again being involved in play before the break. The number 21’s shot was cleared off the line, with City dominating going into the interval.
During the second half, neither side were able to get a clear cut chance with both sides showing their defensive abilities. Ceryn Chamberlain was tested in the 63rd minute with a long range effort but was on-hand to catch it confidently.
It was a special moment for Maddison Perrott and Scarlett Baker-Perry who both came on for their first appearances at the stadium. Swansea City’s Chloe Chivers had a chance in front of goal in the 75th minute, but substitute Kerry Walklett made a perfect tackle that cleared the danger.
Ffion Price found herself with time on the ball at the edge of Swansea’s box in the 81st minute of the game. Despite a tremendous effort, Forkings got a hand to it and it was put behind for a corner. The Bluebirds were able to confidently see out the game, securing back to back clean sheets to remain top of the table.
Cardiff City Women host Aberystwyth Town Women’s next on October 5th.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY WOMEN 3-0 SWANSEA CITY WOMEN
Cardiff City Women: Chamberlain, Owen (Baker-Perry 84’), Power ©, Bowen, Curnock (Perrott 66’), Olden, S. Evans, Billingham (Jenkins 84’), Cook, Long (Price 59’), H. Evans (Walklett 59’). Subs Not Used: Olsen, Malin.
Swansea City Women: Forkings, Davies (Finch 57’), Murray, Miller (E. Thomas 57’), Wynne (Lake 45’), Deacon, Chivers (Richards 67’), John, Mitchell, Trivett (Williams 84’), J. Williams ©. Subs Not Used: Rayner, Seaborne.
REACTION | IAIN DARBYSHIRE & MIKAYLA COOK
After the full-time whistle, head coach Iain Darbyshire said: “I thought we played really well in the first half. We were good in possession and had a gameplan.” Iain began. “We saw the rewards for that with the three goals in the first half. In the second half, we controlled the game.
“We have a great fanbase. We’d love all these fans to come over the road with us to Leckwith and be there for our next game. We’re exciting and a team that plays on the front foot, and we’ve seen the rewards for that the last three games.”
Winger Cook, who produced a stellar performance, added: To get a goal and an assist in this fixture, feelings don't get much better than that. It wasn’t a pretty match; it was scrappy, but that’s what South Wales derbies are like.
“We knew we wanted to be aggressive and take the game to them. Our plan was to be really direct in the first ten minutes, and I think we did that with the early goal.
“It’s the most surreal feeling. We only play here twice a season, but every single time it’s a fantastic experience. We massively appreciate all the fans here today.”