It was a narrow defeat for the Bluebirds at Portsmouth...

Pre-Season Match Report | Portsmouth Women 1-0 Cardiff City Women

Women
City gained valuable minutes in pre-season with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth Women.

With the Bluebirds putting in an impressive defensive display, the resistance was eventually broken through an own-goal in the 86th minute.

In a competitive start, Rhianne Oakley went close with an early chance for the Bluebirds, as a swift break saw her force a save from the hosts’ goalkeeper. With Pompey also creating opportunities, City shot-stopper Ceryn Chamberlain produced a fine save to deny Anaisa Harney.

As the hosts looked to open the scoring, Annie Rolf went close, as her delivery into the area hit the woodwork. Chamberlain continued to show her quality between the sticks for the Bluebirds, producing a fantastic stop from Sophie Quirk’s bending effort ensuring the contest was goalless at the break.

At the start of the second period, the hosts thought they had taken the lead through Jazz Younger, only for the offside flag to be raised and the goal ruled out. Pompey continued to create opportunities, as Tierney Scott squared to Mia Adaway, who was denied by another brilliant save from Chamberlain.

The hosts broke the City resistance in the 86th minute through Adaway, whose dangerous cross deflected into the net off a Bluebirds defender. Iain Darbyshire’s side reacted admirably to falling behind, as substitute Evie Hughes found Phoebie Poole with a fantastic ball, who turned brilliantly and fired just wide of the post.

Despite a competitive performance, the Bluebirds fell to a narrow defeat. City return to action next week, with a trip to face Bristol City on Sunday, August 21, 2pm KO.

FINAL SCORE: PORTSMOUTH 1-0 CARDIFF CITY

Cardiff City: Chamberlain, S Walsh, Power (Bowen 45’), Smith (Bowen-Quirk 85’), Green (Hughes 63’), Price, Watkins (Power 80’), Broadhurst (Atkins 80’), Atkins (Major 45’) (Collie 85’), Poole (Saunders 45’), Oakley (Poole 63’).

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

“It was a good test for us,” Iain began. “They play in the third division in England, which is a really good standard, so it was important for us to see if we could compete at that level. They were a few weeks ahead of us in pre-season training, so we knew it was going to be tough to play the game in hot conditions as well, but it was good to see the players take on board what we’ve been implementing in training.” 

“We’re trying to be more exciting and expansive, but sometimes, you have to do the dirty stuff and show that as a team, you can defend your goal and that you’re willing to work hard for one another. We made a lot of substitutions late in the game and that might have affected a few things, but pre-season is about trying a few things and it was a great test.”

The fixture at Portsmouth Women saw a first appearance as Hannah Power for our long-serving centre-back. Boss Darbyshire expressed his delight upon her return to the side.

He said: “We were all over the moon for Hannah when she got married. It is a bit strange calling her Hannah Power and not Hannah Daley, but we surprised her with a new name on the back of her shirt. It was a really good moment for us, because we’re so close as a group. Everyone really appreciated that and it’s great that she’s back in now, because she’s such an important player for us.”