Cardiff City claimed a 3-0 victory over Cyncoed Ladies at Leckwith Stadium in the Welsh Premier Women’s League.
The win moves Cardiff into third spot in the WPWL moving above Port Talbot Ladies and Abergavenny Ladies. Cyncoed remain in sixth after back to back defeats.
First half goals from Zoe Atkins and Catherine Walsh gave the home side a 2-0 lead at the break. Atkins added a third after 79 minutes before Seren Watkins saw red after continuing to argue with the referee.
After a frantic start by both sides Cardiff settled and control the ball. Both sides went looking for the opening goal, Cyncoed looking dangerous on the counter-attack.
Cardiff took the lead thanks to Zoe Atkins who headed in from Danielle Greens cross. The Bluebirds went two up before the break, Catherine Walsh firing in after Ffion Price had hit the bar.
The second half was more of scrappy affair with strong challenges from both sides. Cardiff made sure of the three points with a third goal from Atkins, her second of the game. Seren Watkins received two yellows, then a red for continuing to argue with the referee after he give a free kick to Cardiff.
The win moves Cardiff into third place above Port Talbot on goal difference and six points behind second placed Cardiff Met. Cardiff have the chance to pull away from fifth place Abergavenny when they meet on Wednesday. Cyncoed remain sixth and are now five points behind Cardiff and Port Talbot.
Cyncoed made an early break and were almost in, in the opening minutes as Siobhan Walsh slipped, but the Cardiff captain was able to recover and clear the ball.
Cardiff had their first opening from Danielle Green, a nice passing move gave Green a opening to shoot but she hit her effort wide.
The visitors looked to get the ball to Rhianne Oakey behind the Cardiff defence but Ellie Jones was up to it and made the tackle. Oakey and Jones had a good battle throughout the first half but the City player was on top.
Oakey had a chance from an early corner for Cyncoed, but she was only able to head straight at Ceryn Chamberlain.
Cyncoed tried to play the ball over the Cardiff defensive line to Alison Witts. The Cardiff line held strong and Witts was flagged offside.
The opening goal came after 13 minutes from Zoe Atkins. Ffion Price switch play to the right to Lisa Owen. Owen played the ball to Kanisha Underdown, who sent Green down the right, Green put a cross in from the by-line which found Zoe Atkins to put the ball away.
It didn’t take long for Cardiff to double the lead. Ffion Price’s long range effort came off the bar and fell to Catherin Walsh who fire the ball into the goal.
Oakey had a great opportunity to pull a goal back for the visitors. Finding space in the box she was one on one with Cardiff keeper Chamberlain. Oakey had two goes at finding the net but Chamberlain stopped both.
As the first half drew to a close Cyncoed had a free-kick just outside the area. Cyncoed’s Seren Watkins went for goal but it was too close to Chamberlain who gathered.
Cardiff made a chagne at halftime as Hannah Daley came on for Ellie Jones. Jones had a tight quad after a heavy tackle in the first half.
City started brightly as Catherine Walsh saw her effort at goal blocked and go out for a corner.
Cerys Pinchard sent Green free in the box but Cyncoed were able to clear.
The second half was more of a physical battle as both teams put in some strong tackles.
Cyncoed kept looking to counter and were almost though but Siobhan Walsh was across quickly to put in a strong tackle just outside the area.
Caitlin Bevan fouled Danielle Broadhurst resulting in a Cardiff free kick in a good position. Siobhan Walsh fired the free kick in but it was straight to Masie Jones.
Zoe Atkins made three for the home team after 76 minutes. Receiving a lovely pass from Phoebie Poole, Atkins went around the keeper and slotted home under pressure from a Cyncoed defender.
Cyncoed ended the match with ten players after Seren Watkins was sent off. After a free kick was awarded for Cardiff, Watkins argued with the referee and was shown a yellow card. Watkins continued her protests and moments after the yellow card she had a second and was sent from the pitch.
With the extra player Cardiff were comfortable and almost had a fourth goal. Danielle Broadhurst sent a 30 yard effort on to the roof of the net.
Cardiff City: Ceryn Chamberlain, Lisa Owen, Ffion Price (Phoebie Poole, 59), Siobhan Walsh (C), Kanisha Underdown, Danielle Green, Ellie Jones (Hannah Daley, 45), Catherine Walsh, Zoe Atkins, Cerys Pinchard
Goals: Zoe Atkins 15,76, Catherine Walsh 23.
Yellow Cards: Danielle Green 50.
Cyncoed Ladies: Maisie Jones, Jessica Osborne (Caitlin Bevan, 63), Claire Daley (C), Ellie Gunney (Millie Jones, 45), Seren Watkins, Rhianne Oakey, Ffion Spence, Megan Saunders, Monet Legall (Kirstie Pervin-Davies, 78), Olivia Barnett, Alison Witts
Yellow Cards: Seren Watkins 83.
Red Cards: Seren Watkins 83.
Recap the action from Leckwith Stadium by reading through our live blog as-it-happened:
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
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