Cardiff City got their Welsh Premier Women’s League Cup campaign off to a formidable start with a 7-2 win over Cyncoed Ladies.
A superb hat-trick from Pheobie Poole, along with Sophie Norman’s double and strikes from Kate Jeremiah and Kanisha Underdown secured a convincing win for the Bluebirds.
Despite an impressive performance from the visitors, Cyncoed Ladies battled well, with Millie Jones and Alison Witts on the scoresheet for the hosts.
The Bluebirds made a lightning start, scoring the opener in just the first minute.
A quick, intricate move resulted in Phoebie Poole finding space in the box to fire past Molly Arnesen in the Cyncoed goal.
Cyncoed responded well, as Grace Jones’ powerful effort from distance forced a save from Bluebirds goalkeeper Claire Skinner.
Cardiff City were clinical however, as a counter-attack led by Zoe Atkins was finished off by Pheobie Poole for her second of the game.
The Bluebirds added to their lead in the 19th minute, when a cross to the back-post was kept in by the lively Atkins for Sophie Norman to hammer home the third.
Josh Richards’ side continued to battle well and reduced the deficit in the 27th minute with a well-executed counter-attack.
A great ball over the top found Alison Witts, who turned the ball inside for Millie Jones to strike brilliantly into the top corner.
Despite scoring a great goal to get themselves on the board, the Mighty Oaks couldn’t mount a comeback, as Cardiff City continued to build on their lead.
Cerys Pinchard found space on the left to deliver a dangerous cross, which was clinically tucked away by Kate Jeremiah.
Just three minutes later, Kanisha Underdown struck an effort from distance past Molly Arnesen to give the Bluebirds a comfortable 5-1 lead at half-time.
The start of the second half followed the same pattern as the first, as Cardiff City controlled possession and forced an early chance.
Kate Jeremiah, looking for her second of the afternoon, found space in the box, but her effort at goal was saved by Molly Arnesen.
The Bluebirds persisted in creating chances, as substitute Catherine Walsh came close to making an immediate impact, only for her effort at goal to be kept out.
Cyncoed continued to battle, as Alison Witts went close to reducing the deficit, as her strike from distance flew narrowly wide.
Witts wasn’t to de denied however, as she profited from a mix-up in the Bluebirds defence to net the Mighty Oaks second of the afternoon.
Just two minutes later, Cardiff City added to their lead, as a corner came in for Pheobie Poole to clinically strike home the Bluebirds sixth and secure a superb hat-trick.
The visitors secured a seventh in the 73rd minute, when Sophie Norman found space on the edge of the box to fire a brilliant strike into the top corner.
Cyncoed went agonisingly close to recording their third goal of the afternoon, as Seren Watkins struck a superb effort from distance, which hit the bar.
The Bluebirds controlled the closing stages of the game to secure an emphatic victory.
Both sides return to league action next week, as Cardiff City host Port Talbot Town, while Cyncoed Ladies welcome Briton Ferry Llansawel.
Cyncoed Ladies: Molly Arnesen, Grace Morris, Jessica Osborne, Millie Jones, Clare Daley, Holly Broad, Caitlin Meadows, Seren Watkins, Kirstie Pervin-Davies, Anna Houghton, Alison Witts
Goals: Millie Jones 27’, Alison Witts 69’
Cardiff City: Claire Skinner, Ffion Price, Hannah Daley, Siobhan Walsh, Sophie Norman, Kate Jeremiah, Kanisha Underdown, Sydney Tiiman (Lisa Owen 63’), Pheobie Poole (Jasmine Simpson 73’) Zoe Atkins (Catherine Walsh 56’), Cerys Pinchard
Goals: Pheobie Poole 1’ 9’ 71’, Sophie Norman 19’ 73’, Kate Jeremiah 36’, Kanisha Underdown 39’,
Relive the action from the USW Sports Park with our live blog below:
(Featured Image: Carl Robertson)
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