Match Report | Cardiff City FC Women 3-0 Cyncoed Ladies FC
HIGHLIGHTS | CARDIFF CITY FC WOMEN 3-0 CYNCOED LADIES
Cardiff City FC Women picked up another important three points, defeating Cyncoed Ladies 3-0 in WPWL action at Cardiff International Sports Campus on Sunday, April 4th, 2021.
The Bluebirds began strongly in Leckwith and almost went ahead inside the first five minutes. Danielle Green firing wide left footed.
Alison Witts had Cyncoed's first chance of the match after five minutes, but Ceryn Chamberlain was on hand to tip away her shot. Witts looked set for a second opportunity to shoot, but Ellie Jones put in a great slide tackle to clear.
It was an end-to-end opening, but City took control, and took the lead after 15 minutes. Ffion Price switched a free kick from left to right, finding Lisa Owen on the wing. She played the ball infield to Kanisha Underdown, who took a touch before freeing Danielle Green. Green's low, powerful cross was diverted home by forward Zoe Atkins at the near post. A fine team first goal and it wasn't long before the score was two.
Eight minutes after the opener - the Bluebirds added a second goal. Price's long range effort cannoned out off the crossbar, but straight to striker Catherine Walsh. Walsh's first effort was blocked, but the 26-year-old did superbly at the second attempt, firing into the top corner from 12-yards.
Cyncoed came close to reducing the deficit after 32 minutes, but Chamberlain made another fine stop, this time denying Rhianne Oakley.
Catherine Walsh had two opportunities to add a third goal, but her strike after 47 minutes was deflected away from goal, as was her 67th minute free kick.
The third strike of the match came with a little under 15 minutes remaining. Substitute Phoebie Poole played through Atkins, who held off her marker and the onrushing goalkeeper to slot home her second goal of the match.
The away side went down to ten players with seven minutes remaining. Seren Watkins was quickly shown two yellow cards before two late chances fell the way of the Bluebirds. Green's low strike with two minutes to go was well saved before Danielle Broadhurst's curling effort from 30-yards drifted just over the bar. It was a strong team performance from City, who deservedly picked up all three points.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY FC WOMEN 3-0 CYNCOED LADIES
Cardiff City FC Women: Chamberlain, Owen, Price (Poole 60), S. Walsh, Jones (Daley 46), Underdown (Norman 78), Broadhurst, Green, Pinchard, Atkins, C. Walsh. Subs Not Used: Hastings, Major.
Cyncoed Ladies: Jones, Osborne (Bevan 63), Daley, Gunney (Jones 46), Watkins, Oakley, Spence, Saunders, Legall (Pervin-Davies 78), Barnett, Witts. Subs Not Used: Stanley, Meadows.
We caught up with forward Zoe Atkins and head coach Iain Darbyshire after the victory in Leckwith.
"We went into the match knowing it would be a tough game," Zoe began. "Cyncoed have had some good results and performances since the restart. It's been nice to get the two goals today - but the important thing is the team performance and how I scored those two goals.
"We've been working hard on our build-up play, starting from defence, working it through midfield and that showed today. Kanisha (Underdown) has played it through to Dan Green for the first goal and I've just managed to get my foot around it near post. My second goal it was great build-up too and a lovely pass from Phoebie (Poole). And going back to Catherine's goal. It was well worked from wide.
"We've worked so hard on fitness. Even before the restart - and that showed again, especially on the hot day we had. Credit to Cyncoed for the way they kept going. We went in today knowing it would be a battle, but we're happy to come out on top."
She added: "We've shown in the games since the defeat to Abergavenny in early March that it was a blip. We've been working so hard and there is a great togetherness as a team.
"Hopefully we can get a good result against Abergavenny now on Wednesday."
Iain Darbyshire spoke about his delight with the team performance, adding: "It was fantastic. You could tell the girls enjoyed themselves. We spoke all week about being patient in possession and not forcing the ball, which is what we have a habit of doing sometimes.
"We don't have to score with every attack but what we do have to do is choose our moments properly. First half, we did that in spells. Second half, I thought we were absolutely dominant. We kept possession, lured them out and played it in behind and the goals we scored were fantastic. We've scored some good team goals recently. It's great to see.
"The girls played really well today. The communication was excellent. We dominated the ball and were in control of the game. It was good to see the passing sequences we've been working on in training come through. It's about getting the girls enjoying their football and when they do, they express themselves on the pitch."
Next up for the Bluebirds is a trip to Abergavenny on Wednesday evening. Iain continued: "We didn't get on too well last time we played Abergavenny, so it's a big game for the girls to show what we can do. They played well last time and deserved to beat us but we don't want to let that happen again.
"We're in a good run of form since then. Picking up 10 points out of 12, which is great and it's good to see us move back up in the table. But we've got to cement that. We've got to keep it going and play game-by-game.
"The girls will have a week off from fixtures next weekend to recharge their batteries, and heal up a little bit, but they love playing football, so we're happy there are lots of games in the schedule still to come."
