The key battles in tonight’s Welsh Premier Women’s League Cup final
SWANSEA, WALES - 23 MAY 2021: Alicia Powe of Swansea City Ladies in action during the Orchard Welsh Premier Women's League fixture between Swansea City Women and Cardiff City FC Women at the Llandarcy Academy Of Sport, Swansea, Wales. (Pic by FAW)
Swansea City and Cardiff City will face off for the first piece of silverware in Welsh Women’s football in the Welsh Premier Women’s League Cup final at Dragon Park.
The fixture will mark the fourth meeting of the side this season, with Swansea winning all three of the sides previous meetings with 3-0, 6-1 and 6-0 victories.
Ahead of the showpiece final, we look at some of the key battles on the pitch.
Phoebie Poole v Shaunna Jenkins
It has been an incredible season so far for Cardiff’s Phoebie Poole. The young forward has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, including a hat-trick at Cardiff City Stadium against Briton Ferry.
She was also the hero for Cardiff in their semi-final match against Cardiff Metropolitan, netting another hat-trick.
Poole has shown a willingness to get in-behind defenders and latching onto through balls, as well as having a natural eye for goal. With nine goals in her last six games, Poole will undoubtedly be the main threat for The Bluebirds.
Shaunna Jenkins has been part a rock solid Swansea defence, conceding just three goals in all competitions this season.
While Poole has been formidable this season, facing off against arguably the league’s best defender will be a huge challenge.
The goal Swansea conceded in the 6-1 victory over Cardiff City came after Jenkins was substituted, showing her importance to the Swans’ side.
Siobhan Walsh v Stacey John-Davis
Cardiff City captain Siobhan Walsh will need to be at her best to stop the second top scorer in the league Stacey John-Davis.
The striker has 17 goals in all competitions this season and is a proven finisher, meaning Walsh will need to be wary of the Swansea forward’s movement and pace.
The duo will be very familiar with each other given the three matches times they have met this season.
John-Davis has bagged two goals against Cardiff this campaign, scoring in both the league and cup meetings between the sides.
The 29 year old forward has plenty of experience and will undoubtedly be eager to get on the scoresheet and help her team lift the cup.
Walsh will have to play a key role for the Bluebirds, not only to keep John-Davis quiet, but also to lead by example.
Danielle Broadhurst v Katy Hosford
The midfield battle between the two sides will be an intriguing one, with Cardiff City’s Danielle Broadhurst playing a very important role.
The Bluebirds will likely be without the ball for long periods and her work off the ball may be the difference between winning and losing.
On the weekend, Katy Hosford helped herself to a hat-trick in Swansea City’s 6-0 victory, as well as a stunning goal in the league cup group match.
With eight goals to her name this season, Hosford’s danger will need to be nullified by tenacious midfielder Broadhurst.
Hosford has the ability to put the ball into danger zones and the ability to break up play, as well as quickly transitioning into attacks for her side.
Broadhurst will need to dictate Cardiff’s switch from defence to attack, trying to maximise every chance the Bluebirds have to get the ball to the likes of Phoebie Poole and Danielle Green.
