City Women were victorious in their first home league of the season, beating a strong Briton Ferry Llansawel side 5-1.
Manager Iain Darbyshire elected to make three changes following last week’s narrow 1-0 defeat to The New Saints with defender Hollie Smith making her first league start since January.
Despite harsh rain throughout the first half, it did not stop the Bluebirds from helping themselves to goals. The reigning Champions dominated possession in the opening stages, with Shannon Evans' long-range strike almost giving Cardiff City the dream start. It wouldn’t take long for that dream to come true as eleven minutes in Mackenzie Olden would finish off a well weighted cross from Lily Billingham, giving the City a well-deserved lead.
Not six minutes later, the Bluebirds would add to their advantage after one of Fiona Barry’s magical corner found Smith, who scored on her first start following an injury that kept her sidelined from January.
The hosts kept coming, with Mikayla Cook joining in on the goalscoring action in the 24th minute. The number 21 finished off a clever pass from Hannah Power.
Olden nearly got her second of the game, stealing the ball high up the pitch. The Ferry’s keeper Courtney Young would make a fine save, that led to a corner in the 33rd minute. The ball swung in and found the feet of Billingham. All the Briton Ferry players could do was watch as the ball flew into the top right corner of the net from Lily, marking City women’s fourth of the half.
The Ferry’s searched for a reply in the closing stages of the half, but Cardiff City’s defence showed resilience.
Both sides fought for possession in the opening stages of the second half, with neither team able to get a clear chance on goal. Barry would have a shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball was tipped over the net.
Substitute Kerry Walklett would score the fifth of the game after just ten minutes on the pitch. Walklett capitalised on a fantastic cross from Cook to give Darbyshire’s side their fifth of the game after 70 minutes.
The Ferry’s Anya Grunewald would score a consolation goal for the away side in the 79th minute of the game.
City were made to play the final 10 minutes plus added time with just 10, following Fiona Barry's red card. Although Briton Ferry attempted to use their advantage to break City down, shot stopper Ceryn Chamberlain was in fine form to keep the score at 5-1 and give the Bluebirds an impressive win.
Next up, the Bluebirds will travel to Barry Town United Ladies on September 21st, looking for a first win on the road.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 5-1 BRITON FERRY LLANSAWEL
Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Owen, Bowen, S. Evans (Jenkins 60’), Smith (Baker-Perry 49’), Power ©, H. Evans (Walklett 60’), Billingham, Cook (Perrott 74’), Barry, Olden (Curnock 60’) Subs not used: Olsen, Thomas.
Briton Ferry Llansawel: Young, Llewellyn, Evans (Broadley 45’), Powell ©, Roberts (Griffiths 77'), Kearle, Owen, Kett-White, Daniels (Thomas 45’), Crofts, Howells (Grunewald 54’). Subs not used: Ridings, Merry, Copeland.
REACTION |meg bowen & iain darbyshire
MB: “First half we dominated. I think we used the conditions to our advantage. I think they struggled. We pinged the ball around very tidy and went in half-time with complete control. Second half we came out and lacked the confidence to get on the ball. Ferry did well in the second half but most importantly we got the three points.
“We got a goal from a set piece today which was nice as well, especially against a team like Ferry, who pride themselves on defending set pieces. It shows the quality we have in forward areas, especially Hollie Smith, who got her first start since her injury. For her to score is a really big moment.”
ID: “I thought we were really good in the first half. We played with the right intensity and were very clinical too, which we weren’t last week. During the week I spoke to the players about not converting our chances, so to be so clinical in that first half today was fantastic.
“Getting bodies in the box as quickly as possible is fundamental to the way we play. We did well in overloading the wide areas. We’re doing the right things and playing well - now we just need to keep going consistently.”
“In the second half, the [weather] conditions made us a little naive and it made the game more interesting. But overall, I’m proud of our performance and pleased to get three points on the board.
“It’s a long season. Last weekend we controlled most of the match but couldn’t convert our chances. We need to take the positives from today and I think we’ll be in a great spot going forward.”