Match Report | Cardiff City FC Women 4-0 The New Saints FC Women
Cardiff City FC Women earned a 4-0 win over The New Saints at Cardiff International Sports Campus to make it a seven consecutive victories in all competitions.
Amy Williams’ fine finish, along with Catherine Walsh’s superb hat-trick was enough to secure the three points for the Bluebirds.
Boss Iain Darbyshire made one change to the side that claimed a 2-0 victory at Aberystwyth Town last time out, with Seren Watkins coming into the starting XI in the place of Danielle Broadhurst.
In a professional first-half performance, City took the lead in the ninth minute, as a fantastic ball by Walsh found Williams at the back post to give the Bluebirds an early advantage. The hosts immediately pressed for a second and were rewarded for doing so, with Walsh firing a powerful free-kick into the bottom corner with 19 minutes on the clock.
The Bluebirds continued to create chances, as the ball fell to Seren Watkins, who struck a fine effort from distance, which hit the post. City weren’t to be denied a third goal however, as left-back Ffion Price’s dangerous corner delivery was headed home by Walsh in the 24th minute for her second of the afternoon.
On the stroke of half-time, Darbyshire’s side went close to adding a fourth, with captain Siobhan Walsh heading narrowly over from a corner. After a clinical opening period from the hosts, City went into the break with a 3-0 lead.
The Bluebirds started the second period brightly and immediately looked to attack, as Danielle Green found space in the box, but struck an effort over the bar. Green was again involved in another chance for City, with her weaving run into the area resulting in a save from Sarah Parkes.
In the 59th minute, the Saints were reduced to ten, as Lexie Harrison was shown a second yellow card for an adjudged late challenge on midfielder Walsh. With the numerical advantage, the Bluebirds added a fourth in the 69th minute, with Walsh firing brilliantly into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
In the dying minutes, City went close to adding a fifth, as Williams found substitute Mikayla Cook with a fantastic ball, only for the Saints defence to clear. Fellow-substitute Broadhurst also had a late opportunity, firing over from inside the area. After another impressive performance from the Bluebirds, Darbyshire’s side secured all three points.
City face a huge fixture as they return to action next week, making the trip to Swansea City Ladies in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday, November 21st at Llandarcy Academy of Sport.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY FC 4–0 THE NEW SAINTS
Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Owen (Bayliss 77’), Price, Daley, S Walsh ©, Poole, Watkins (Broadhurst 65’), C Walsh, Green (Cook 71’), Williams, Atkins. Subs not used: Mujica, Saunders.
The New Saints: Parkes, B Lewis ©, Jarvie, Harrison, Griffiths, Lockley, Ashworth, Marshall (Rathe 76’), Evans (Samson 85’), Lewin-Herbert, L Lewis. Subs not used: Rathe.
Following the final whistle, head coach Iain Darbyshire spoke to cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
“I’m delighted," Iain began. "We played some really good football at times. We could have scored a few more, but it’s another clean sheet and seven victories on the bounce now.
“We’re in really good form and the girls are doing everything that is asked of them in training and we’re playing some really good football as a result.”
Ahead of a clash with back-to-back champions Swansea City, Darbyshire added: "Our target at the start of the season was to try and win every single game and when we go up against Swansea, we try and compete.
“We know it’s the hardest game in the league and that they’re unbeaten in three years. They’re a really difficult team to play against.
“We’ve bounced back really well to when we last played them at our place, so we’ll go there with no fear, try and make it difficult for them. We just need to capitalise on the key moments in the game, because that’s what we haven’t done in previous games against them.”
Commenting on back-to-back home hat-tricks, Catherine Walsh said: “I’m pleased to score another hat-trick here, I must really like playing here.
“I feel like I’m playing really well at the moment. I’m playing a bit deeper than I have done in the past, so I’m getting on the ball more, scoring goals and creating chances, so I’m delighted.
“We’re buzzing at the moment. Everyone is really happy when we’re winning, but next week is our focus now.”
