Cardiff City defeated Aberystwyth Town 2-0 at Leckwith Stadium in the Welsh Premier Women’s League.
Phoebe Poole’s 77th-minute strike added to Siobhan Walsh’s opener in the first half as the Bluebirds recorded their first home win of the season.
Iain Darbyshire’s side could have won by a further goal but Daniele Green missed her spot-kick late on in the match.
Cardiff created a majority of the chances and were deserving of their victory, but Aberystwyth are now without a point in their first four league matches, leaving them bottom of the league.
The first chance of the game went to Cardiff, getting a cross in from the left and headed towards goal but Ashman was alive to make the stop.
Aber caught City out with an early counter attack, playing the ball over the top but no Aber player could get to the ball before Ceryn Chamberlian could gather the ball.
Cardiff had another chance moments later from a long range shot but Ashman was able to tip over the bar. From the resulting corner Ashman came and punch away but was fouled as she did.
City kept coming and from a good low cross on the right side found Poole in the box, but the young City striker could only put the ball wide of the goal. She was challenged as she went for the shot and Cardiff players called for a penalty but the referee was not convinced.
The opening goal came on 25 minutes from a free kick just inside the Aberystwyth half. Siobhan Walsh took it and the ball past everyone to go in the net. 1-0 Cardiff.
The hosts pushed for the second with Poole denied twice, and Danielle Green after cutting inside into the box put her shot wide.
Catherine Walsh had to go off just before half time after a collision with Aberystwyth defender Bethan Roberts left her with an injured arm. Cardiff finished the first half with 10 players. Eliza Collie came on at the break to make her debut.
Siobhan Walsh went close to a second goal but her shot was blocked and out for a corner to Cardiff. The corner is whipped in to the six yard box but Aberystwyth clear.
Aberystwyth tried to catch City on the break again, with another ball over the top of the Cardiff back line but Chamberlain is alive to it and collects.
Ashman was incredible form saving from Poole twice and then Green as Cardiff looked for the second.
Cardiff’s pressure told in the 79 minute after seeing several efforts saved Phoebie Poole got her goal. Striking the ball into the top corner of the goal, Poole got her sixth of the season to give City a 2-0 lead.
It might have been three but Danielle Green’s penalty was saved. Poole fouled in the area, Green stepped up and put the ball to the right. Ashman went the right way and pushed the ball away. It was a good height for the keeper but she did very well to get across the goal to save.
Cardiff City: Cerys Chamberlain, Lisa Owen, Ffion Price, Siobhan Walsh, Sophie Norman (Brooke Evans, 73), Danielle Green, Ellie Jones, Phoebie Poole, Catherine Walsh (Eliza Collie, 46), Zoe Atkins, Cerys Pinchard..
Goals: Siobhan Walsh 22, Phoebie Poole 79’
Yellow Cards: Ffion Price 75
Aberystwyth Town: Ffion Ashman, Bethan Roberts, Kelly Thomas, Caroline Cooper, Libby Isaac, Caryl Evans (Niamh Duggan, 46), Flavia Jenkins, Josie Pugh, Hannah Pusey, Catrin Evans (Eloise Jenkins, 79), Lucie Gwilt (Phoebe West, 64)
Yellow Cards: Flavia Jenkins 21, Kelly Thomas 88’
See how Cardiff City defeated Aberystwyth Town at Leckwith Stadium via our live blog:
(Featured Image: Gareth O’Sullivan)
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