Match Report | Abergavenny Town 0-5 Cardiff City

Cardiff City Women continued their winning start to the 2022/23 Adran Premier campaign with a convincing 5–0 victory over Abergavenny Women at Pen-Y-Pound Stadium.

Danielle Green’s fantastic first-half brace, along with second-half goals from Danielle Broadhurst, Siobhan Walsh and Rhianne Oakley saw the Bluebirds claim all three points. 

Head Coach Iain Darbyshire made one change to the side that defeated Pontypridd Town on the opening day of the season, with Phoebie Poole coming into the starting XI.

City started on the front foot and looked for an early opener, as wing-back Green found space on the left to fire just wide of the post. In another positive attack, Broadhurst arrived late in the box to meet Ffion Price’s cross, with her header flying past the woodwork. 

Darbyshire’s side were rewarded for their persistence, taking the lead in the 18th minute, as a shrewd pass from Poole found Green free in the box to clinically fire home.

Having gone ahead, City instantly looked to double the advantage through Zoe Atkins, who fired just wide following an intricate move. 

Green posed a real danger on the left and almost turned from goalscorer to provider, crossing low for Oakley, who turned the ball narrowly wide.

With 32 minutes on the clock, City doubled the advantage, as the ball dropped to Green at the back post, who fired home for her second of the afternoon. 

The Bluebirds had a chance to make it three before the break with Poole racing through, only for goalkeeper Charlotte Hastings to make the save, ensuring the score was 2-0 at the interval.

City continued with waves of attack in the second period, as Green went close to securing her hat-trick, forcing a save from Hastings with a curling effort at goal.

The Bluebirds weren’t to be denied a third goal however, as an intricate move was finished well by Broadhurst in the 58th minute.

Just six minutes later, Darbyshire’s side found a fourth through the skipper Walsh, who powered a header home from Seren Watkins’ pinpoint corner delivery.

The Bluebirds boss introduced all five substitutes in the second-half, including competitive debuts for goalkeeper Emily Roberts and wing-back Evie Hughes.

City added a fifth goal in the 74th minute, as Green’s initial effort was turned home by Oakley for her first competitive goal for the club. After a professional performance, City made it two wins from two to begin the 2022/23 campaign. 

City return to action next weekend, facing Swansea City Ladies at Cardiff International Sports Campus on Sunday, 18 September, 2pm KO.

FINAL SCORE: ABERGAVENNY WOMEN 0-6CARDIFF CITY WOMEN

Abergavenny Women: Hastings, Williams, Simmonds, Summers, Teague, Barnes, Hudson, Scrivens (Sherrard 68’), Lunn (Davies 45’), Atkins (Grosvenor 54’), Boyd (Bidhendy 85’).

Subs not used: Speicher.

Cardiff City Women: Chamberlain (Roberts 68’), Green, Smith (Bowen 65’), S Walsh ©, Power, Price(Hughes 65’), Broadhurst (Billingham 68’), Watkins,Atkins, Poole (Saunders 68’), Oakley.

After the final whistle, head coach Darbyshire spoke to cardiffcityfc.co.uk:

“We’re trying to play a new way this year and we worked really hard on it in pre-season,” Iain began. “It’s nice to see the things we’ve worked on come into the games.
 

“I thought we were very good against Pontypridd last week, but we were probably guilty of not putting the game away, but there was no chance of that today. To win 5-0, restrict them to no shots on targets and leave some goals still on there, we’re really pleased. 

“Goals win games, but if you keep a clean sheet, it gives you a really good chance of winning the game. We want to be attacking, exciting and get people off their seats, but we can’t lose that concentration and make sure we don’t concede.

“Last week, we gave away a few chances towards the end, but this week, we didn’t do that and it’s pleasing to see.” 

Wing-back Green, who netted a fine brace, added: “It’s a great win for us, we got the job done, a lot of goals, which is what we wanted to come here and do. It feels great to score twice. I tried to go for the third, but it didn’t quite happen. I was just happy to get on the scoresheet and get the win.”