City Women advanced to the semi-finals of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup with a 3-0 win against TNS at Cardiff International Sports Campus.
Head coach Iain Darbyshire elected to make one change to the team that beat Aberystwyth Town last time out, with Kerry Walklett replaced by Ffion Price in the starting XI.
And Price’s inclusion was immediately rewarded, as the full-back got the Bluebirds off to a flying start, taking the lead inside three minutes after playing in a deep corner towards the back post which flew straight into the TNS net.
The hosts remained on the front foot for the majority of the opening 45 minutes, with chances from Laura Curnock and Mackenzie Olden denied by Saints keeper Orla Howard.
Price remained a constant threat over set-pieces, twice on occasion playing in deep free-kick’s into the box with Nieve Jenkins looking to convert but City were unable to double their lead before the break.
Goalkeeper Ceryn Chamberlain had to remain alert deep into the half. After TNS won a corner, it was played in towards the near post, where the keeper was forced into action for the first time in the game to prevent the equaliser.
The visitors were awarded a penalty on the hour mark after Caitlin Chapman was deemed to have been fouled in the area, however the spot kick was put wide by skipper Lia Lewis.
And the Bluebirds took full advantage, as Price once again crossed the ball into the area for Jenkins to rise highest and this time, head the ball home for the two-goal advantage.
Just two minutes later, City added a third as substitute Maddison Perrott kept the ball alive deep in TNS territory, guided it towards Curnock in the box, who poked the ball towards the goal and into the net off the crossbar.
The hosts aimed to further cement the victory, coming close in the final stages as Madison Lloyd, fresh off the bench, came inches away from scoring with her first touch after running on the end of Jenkins’ flick-on, but headed narrowly wide.
However City ensured they continue their fine form and booked their name in the hat in the final four of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup.
Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Owen, Jenkins, S. Evans, Price, Power © (Thomas 86’), Long (Bowen 60’), Billingham, Cook, Olden (Perrott 60’), Curnock (Lloyd 81’). Subs Not Used: Saunders.
The New Saints: Howard, Gibbs, Davies, Webb, Baker, Dunkerley, Richardson (Harrison 60’), Teare (Evans 81’), L. Jones (Edge 81’), Lewis © (Buckland 81’), Chapman. Subs Not Used: Bowen.
REACTION | IAIN DARBYSHIRE
"I think on paper, we can be happy. Though, there were quite a few aspects of the performance where we can do a lot better. We lost a lot of control at the end of the first half, which then impacted our second half performance but, anytime you beat TNS 3-0, you have to be proud and happy.
“We had a little bit of luck but we kept working hard and when you do that, often you get rewarded at the end of it. So overall, happy with the win, happy to be through to the next round of the cup but we play TNS again next and we know we’ll need to put in a better performance next week.
“If there's one thing this team is, it's resilient. We've got a lot of quality in the team, but I think the thing that gets overlooked is how resilient this team is, how proud they are to play for Cardiff City, even how much they'll fight to cover every blade of grass. That's a non-negotiable at this club and you could see that in today’s performance.”