Match Report | FGR Women 0-11 Cardiff City Women

Pre-Season Match Report | Forest Green Rovers Women 0-11 Cardiff City Women

Women
Cardiff City Women recorded their third victory in pre-season with an emphatic 11-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers Women.

An own-goal and Danielle Broadhurst’s superb strike gave City the lead at the break, before the Bluebirds added nine unanswered goals in the second period.

Striker Phoebie Poole netted four goals in an impressive performance, along with braces for Zoe Atkins and Eliza Collie, with Ffion Price also finding the net.

Iain Darbyshire’s side started brightly, as midfielder Seren Watkins forced the hosts’ goalkeeper into an early save with a long-range strike. City continued to create chances, with Collie creating space and firing just wide of the post. The Bluebirds weren’t to be denied however, as some great work from Danielle Green saw her dangerous cross turned into the net by a Forest Green defender in the 13th minute.

Having gone ahead, City had a great chance to double the lead through Megan Saunders, whose powerful effort from close-range was saved by the goalkeeper. In a positive attacking performance, Collie rounded the hosts’ shot-stopper, but was tackled as she looked to shoot, before having a close-range effort blocked, following some great build-up between Price and Saunders.

As City looked to add to the advantage, Green struck a fantastic effort at the back post, which cannoned off the woodwork. Just before the interval, midfielder Broadhurst fired in brilliantly from distance to send the Bluebirds into the break with a 2-0 lead.

Darbyshire’s side started the second-half on the front foot and added to the lead in the 51st minute through substitute Poole, who finished well after being played in by Lily Billingham. Poole made an impressive impact having been introduced, and found her second just six minutes later, firing home after Broadhurst’s effort was saved.

The City attacker netted her hat-trick in the 65th minute, as she struck clinically into the net from close-range to cap a brilliant performance off the bench. The Bluebirds continued to create chances, with Poole squaring to substitute Michaela Major, whose close-range effort was blocked. City were ruthless in the second period, with Price finishing well to get on the scoresheet and Poole netting her fourth in the 76th minute.

The substitutes made a real impression for the Bluebirds, as Collie slotted home after being re-introduced to the field. City added another just three minutes later through Atkins, who netted a quick-fire brace with two outstanding finishes. With Collie calmly firing home in the final minute for her second goal of the evening, her performance was one of many highlights in a fantastic showing from the Bluebirds.

FINAL SCORE: FOREST GREEN ROVERS WOMEN 0-11 CARDIFF CITY WOMEN

Cardiff City Women: Roberts (Chamberlain 62’), Bowen (Watkins 70’), S Walsh © (Smith 62’), Power, Green (Collie 79’), Price, Broadhurst (Oakley 62’), Watkins (Norman 45’), Billingham (Major 70’), Saunders (Atkins 45’), Collie (Poole 45’).

After the final whistle, Assistant Coach Scott Davies spoke to cardiffcityfc.co.uk:

“We’re happy with the result,” Scott began. “The first-half wasn’t quite at the level that we wanted it to be, so we spoke to the girls at half-time and made them clear of that. The second-half was a lot better; I thought we kept the ball really well, very clinical in front of goal and it was really pleasing to see.

“Through the whole of pre-season, we’ve been trying to get minutes into everyone’s legs – it’s not always about the result in pre-season. It’s about preparing them for the season, so it’s pleasing to see that, even when they’re coming off the bench, they’re working really hard. With Pheobie and Zoe coming on and scoring goals, it’s what they do and it’s what they’re good at.

“We’ve had a really good pre-season with a great mix of games. Portsmouth last week was a really good test, which is what we needed. We’ve come here tonight and reacted really well. Hopefully, we’ll go into the Pontypridd game on the first day of the season with confidence.”

Having netted an impressive four goals in 28 minutes, substitute Poole added: “All the girls worked really hard. We’re on a real high at the moment, we’re really confident with the way that we’re playing and the way that Iain is getting us to play, so we’re being creative with it and it’s coming off.

“There’s always room to improve, I missed more than I should have, but I wouldn’t have been able to get those goals without the girls, because everyone worked really hard. It’s really good for me to get some goals to go into the season with confidence.”

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