The Bluebirds secured a comfortable victory over Pontypridd United on Sunday, scoring six times at Cardiff International Sports Campus.
Iain Darbyshire elected to make eight changes from the team that beat The New Saints last Sunday. Shannon Evans captained the side.
City dominated possession in the opening stages with some impressive passing and control of possession. Darbyshire’s side tested Pontypridd United early, as Lily Billingham’s inch perfect cross found the head of Madison Lloyd, whose effort went over the bar. Soon after, Billingham found herself in space on the edge of the box, but her shot went wide.
In the eleventh minute, the hosts tested Pontypridd United’s defence again through Maddison Perrott whose shot on target but was saved by Anna Phelps. Soon after, City opened the scoring through Mikayla Cook, whose long-range effort curled into the net. Megan Bowen doubled the advantage shortly after, heading home Cook’s curling cross.
The Bluebirds came close again in the 34th minute through Perrott, whose effort was saved. However, two minutes later, Billingham played a ball through to Perrott, who struck home the third goal of the contest. City finished the half with a three-goal advantage.
It was more of the same for the Bluebirds at the start of the second half, as Pontypridd United were unable to find a way into the game. After a bright spell, Cook again found herself with time on the ball and smashed the ball into the back of the net, claiming her second of the evening. It was Lloyd who got the fifth of the contest. Cook found space down the right wing and drove a low cross into the box which found the feet of Lloyd.
The striker got her second of the game and the sixth of the contest in the 66th minute, poking home Cook’s cross. The game ended 6-0, making it a comfortable afternoon for the Bluebirds.
Next, City are away from home next Sunday, facing Aberystwyth Town. Kick-off is at 5:10pm.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY WOMEN FC 6-0 PONTYPRIDD UNITED WOMEN
Cardiff City: Saunders, Owen (Price 67’), Bowen, S. Evans © (Jenkins 80’), Perrott, Thomas, Billingham (Curnock 67’), Lloyd (Olden 67’), Cook (Walklett 80’), Long, Nicholls. Subs not used: Chamberlain, Power.
Pontypridd United: Phelps (Farley 70’), Davies ©, Jones (Evans 62’), Lister (Brown 62’), Sherrard, Cockayne, Healey, Angove, Malin (Marshall 18’), D’ambrosio, Grenfell (Medcraft 45’). Subs not used: Fenton.
MATCH REACTION | IAIN DARBYSHIRE
Following his side’s impressive 6-0 victory on Sunday evening, head coach Iain Darbyshire gave his thoughts on the game.
“I thought we were good. We saw this as an opportunity to give players minutes and make sure they were a part of what we are doing. To see the team play the way they did with such control throughout the game was fantastic to see.”
Today’s result keeps the Bluebirds at the top of the league, a point ahead of Wrexham.
“We know that if we win every game, we’ll win the league. We’ve been in this position before. We play Aberystwyth next week which we know won’t be an easy game. They’ve been hanging in games recently and causing teams problems. We need to focus on ourselves and make sure we keep winning.”
Mikayla Cook stood out today, netting twice and assisting twice.
“I’m really pleased for Mik. The goals have been a bit hard to come by recently and every forward player goes through that. We’ve got great forwards players in this team and that can bring an internal pressure. There were a couple of good finishes from her and an overall great performance.”