Our Girls Academy squads continued their respective campaigns this month.
After a productive October, we take a look at how the Bluebirds have fared as well as their notable stories…
SENIOR DEBUTS
October saw two debuts made at senior level, with Anuka O’Hare and Amanda Franek both introduced in the second half of our win at Aberystwyth Town.
Both have impressed at U19 level and in senior training, earning involvement in Noah Bushby’s squad.
Commenting on the debutants, U19 head coach Tom Stiley said: “It's a reward not only for the player but the whole programme. It shows that the opportunity is there for our young players. It's a great starting point for us that the U19 players know that, but also our U15s and U13s as well.
"The chance is there for the players to perform at the very top of the Club and both of their debuts were a great moment for them and their families too."
FIVE WINS FOR U19s
In October, our U19s claimed impressive 7-0 and 4-0 wins over Cascade and Cardiff Met respectively, before following up with a dramatic 4-3 victory at Briton Ferry Llansawel.
In a top-of-the-table clash against Barry Town United, the side fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat but bounced back superbly in the Hugh James SWFA Women’s Cup. Taking on Sully Sports, Stiley’s outfit showed their quality to record a 16-0 victory.
Their final game of the month was an away game at Aberystwyth Town, where a brace from Olivia Dawkins contributed to a 5-1 win.
"We had a strong start to the month and were looking to show how good we are as a team, I think we did that well. Towards the back end of the month, there were some difficult games against our local rivals, teams that we've had very competitive games with over the last few years.
"Briton Ferry Llansawel and Barry Town are sides that we had to be at the top of our game to compete in and while not all of our results in October went our way, there were huge takeaways that will only make us better over the course of the season.
"Playing in the cup competition gives us a way to challenge the girls in a different environment. We're facing up against senior players with more experience and go away to clubs that we don't face in our usual league system. It's about being able to adapt in certain games and that's important for the players' development."
DERBY WIN FOR U15S
As for our U15s, their October started with a rampant 7-0 win over Haverfordwest County, which included braces for Georgia Davies and Lilly Le-Sauteur.
The following week, an unfortunate defeat against Cardiff Met provided a setback heading into a South Wales derby against Swansea City.
The side bounced back brilliantly and scored late on to record a 2-1 victory over the Swans.
Reflecting on October’s work, U15 head coach Keith Williams said: “The progress that we have made this season has been really good. There has been a lot of development, both in individuals and as a collective. We've started to see our U15 players train up with the U19s and we're bridging the gap between the Academy and the senior setup.
"The aim is to build individuals to be good people as well as talented footballers and we're definitely seeing that in the growth of the players. Our Academy players are present on senior matchdays and are heavily involved in the activations for the fans, which develops their confidence and communicative skills.
"Watching the senior team is a brilliant opportunity for our players. The girls are getting to see what it's like to live and breathe that environment. The senior players are brilliant with all the Academy players, which makes them feel exactly what they are which is an integral part of the Club."
VICTORIES CONTINUE FOR U13S
Our U13s’ blistering start to the season continued in October, firstly with a 9-1 victory over Haverfordwest County.
The side then followed up with a 4-0 win at Cardiff Met, heading into their derby fixture against Swansea City in fine form.
Goals from Neve Bettles and Faith Bridges saw them claim a 2-1 victory, with the side now sitting four points clear at the top of the table with five wins from five.
U13 head coach Chris Atturo commented: "Both as individuals and as a collective, we really couldn't be happier with how the U13s group is progressing. The girls have taken on board what we're asking of them and have adapted really well to that both in training and in matches.
"Of course, our results in matches are paramount because of the Club that we represent. But in addition to that come both the development and learning of the players. We want them to play the Cardiff City way and an exciting brand of football, which they're taking on very well.
"Coming into this Club and this environment, it certainly didn't need explaining to me the importance of the fixture against Swansea City. Particularly as we went behind in that game, we were really pleased to see the desire of the players to come back and win the game. They stuck to the principles and got the result from it which means a lot to us."