Cardiff City Women stretched their unbeaten run in the Welsh Premier Women’s League to nine games with a 3-1 win over Cyncoed Ladies at the USW Sports Park.
Catherine Walsh struck to give the Bluebirds an early lead, as Ffion Price’s first goal for the club put the visitors in a commanding position at the break.
Cyncoed’s fought-back in a positive second-half display, as Megan Saunders reduced the deficit, but the Mighty Oaks couldn’t mount a comeback, as Zoe Atkins’ header sealed the three points for the visitors.
The victory sees the Bluebirds create a six-point gap between them and Port Talbot Town in fourth.
Despite a competitive showing from Cyncoed, the Mighty Oaks winless run is extended to eight games.
The Bluebirds started on the front foot and could have gone ahead inside the first three minutes, as winger Danielle Green’s low cross was fired over from close range by Atkins.
Darbyshire’s side weren’t to be denied however, as with five minutes on the clock, midfielder Walsh struck a superb effort from the edge of the box to give the visitors the lead.
The Mighty Oaks responded well to falling behind, with Saunders finding space to cross, but couldn’t quite find Kirstie Pervin-Davies with her delivery.
A golden chance then fell for the Bluebirds’ second, but Atkins couldn’t quite turn home at the back post.
After a number of positive attacks from the visitors, Darbyshire’s side grabbed a second goal in the 27th minute.
Right-back Ffion Price’s delivery into the box beat Maisie Jones in the Cyncoed goal for her first Bluebirds goal.
The visitors had chances to add a third, as Sophie Norman met a delivery into the box, but her header was well kept out by Jones.
Atkins, who looked a real danger on the left-wing, had a cross into the area deflected off Clare Daley and flew narrowly wide.
After a competitive showing in the first period, the Mighty Oaks had an opportunity to halve the deficit shortly before half-time, with Grace Morris firing wide.
Cyncoed Ladies started the second-half positively, with Saunders getting in-behind the Bluebirds defence, only to be caught offside.
The Mighty Oaks were rewarded for their persistence, as they halved the deficit in the 59th minute.
Saunders beat the offside trap with a great run in-behind and rounded Ceryn Chamberlain in the Cardiff City goal, before firing home for the hosts.
Cyncoed continued their positive start to the second-half, as Pervin-Davies’ corner delivery hit the woodwork.
The Bluebirds were clinical however, restoring their two-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Winger Danielle Green, who showed a willingness to get in-behind on the right, crossed well for Atkins, who headed home for the visitors.
Despite conceding a third goal, Cyncoed continued to press and be competitive, as substitute Alison Witts had a great chance to fire at goal, but opted to find a teammate as the attack broke down.
Late-on, a promising attack from the Bluebirds saw the ball laid-off to Atkins on the edge of the box, who fired over the bar.
In the dying minutes, the hosts appealed for a penalty with Saunders going down in the box, but the protests were waived away by the referee.
Striker Witts got in-behind the Bluebirds defence and could have got her side’s second goal of the night, only to be denied by a fantastic save by Chamberlain.
Despite Saunders’ strike getting the Mighty Oaks back in the game in the second period, Atkins’ header secured all three points for the Bluebirds.
Cyncoed Ladies: Maisie Jones, Grace Morris (Kerry Moore 77’), Jessica Osborne, Millie Jones (Alison Witts 67’) , Clare Daley, Holly Broad (C), Ellie Gunney (Eleanor Lambert 73’), Seren Watkins, Kirstie Pervin-Davies, Megan Saunders, Olivia Barnett
Goals: Megan Saunders 59’
Cardiff City Women: Ceryn Chamberlain, Lisa Owen, Ffion Price, Siobhan Walsh (C) (Hannah Daley 68’), Sophie Norman (Brooke Evans 76’), Danielle Broadhurst (Kanisha Underdown 68’), Danielle Green, Ellie Jones, Phoebie Poole (Jasmine Simpson 33’), Catherine Walsh (Mikayla Cook 68’), Zoe Atkins
Goals: Catherine Walsh 5’, Ffion Price 27’, Zoe Atkins 70’
Yellow Cards: Danielle Broadhurst 49’
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