Port Talbot Town 0-4 Cardiff City: Bluebirds blow away Steelwomen in season opener
Cardiff City opened up their Adran Premier campaign in perfect style with a 4-0 victory over Port Talbot Town at Victoria Road.
Phoebie Poole – Cardiff’s top goal scorer last season – picked up where she let off with a brace, meanwhile, an own goal from Chelsey Harris and then Zoe Atkins gave the Bluebirds a comprehensive victory.
The Bluebirds put their host under pressure and could have had more goals but for some good saves from Emily Roberts.
A bright start from Cardiff saw Megan Saunders link up with Lisa Owen on the right. Owen played the ball to Saunders by the by-line but she couldn’t control the ball.
Cardiff had the ball in the net after six minutes. Siobhan Walsh with a powerful header from the corner but the whistle went and the goal was not given.
Port Talbot almost had Lauren Amor clear in the box but Cardiff were able to clear the ball and go on the attack.
Cardiff were moving the ball around well and using the pitch to create space. Working the ball around they played in Poole inside the box but she was unable to get the ball under control to shoot.
Cardiff kept the pressure on Port Talbot as Poole sent a shot straight at Roberts before Sophie Norman saw her effort from outside the box go wide.
Lisa Owen and Megan Saunders were working well together on the right for Cardiff. Saunders setting up Owen for a shot that went just wide.
Saunders was causing all sorts of problems for the Steelwomen. Making a run into the box she was brought down on the edge of the area. Referee Ryan Gosling believing that it was just outside. Sophie Norman sent the ball into the box and found the head of Walsh who went close to scoring.
Cardiff did take the lead just before the break. Working the ball to Poole the Cardiff forward showed some skillful footwork to create the chance to shot and fired into the goal.
Cardiff continued the pressure in the second half as Ffion Price found Poole in the box. Poole however shot wide of the goal.
Cardiff won a free-kick after Lauren Amor fouled Seren Watkins. Norman went for goal again but put it wide.
Port Talbot had a great chance to level the game as they got through on goal. Cerys Chamberlain was alive to it and made a good save.
Danielle Broadhurst saw her chip over Roberts come back off the post as Cardiff looked for their second.
They soon had their second as Megan Saunders’ close-range shot went in after deflecting off Port Talbot captain Chelsey Harris.
Saunders might have had a goal as her close-range shot was brilliantly saved by Roberts. With little time to react Roberts dived to her right to push the ball away.
Port Talbot had a chance as they got Jessica Hammett into the box. Hammett’s shot was high and went over the bar.
Emily Roberts was called to save again as Amy Williams fired at goal after being set up by Saunders.
Poole almost had Cardiff three up, she was in free on goal but her low shot came back off the post. Megan Saunders picked up the loose ball but shot wide.
It was three after 75 minutes Atkins headed in from a good cross from Price.
In the 89 minute, Cardiff made it four, Poole getting her second of the game. Ffion Price with a cross right on the line to the far post, Poole heading in.
Port Talbot: Emily Williams (G), Rebecca Rees (Caitlin Owen 75), Laura May Walkley, Jesci Hare, Coryn Sexton, Jessie Taylor, Courtney Thomas, Jessica Hammett, Lauren Amor (Terri Beddows 66), Jessica Denscombe (Kirsty O’Donnell 66).
Yellow Cards: Laura-May Walkley 29.
Cardiff City: Cerys Chamberlain (G), Lisa Owen, (Emily Bayliss 68) Ffion Price, Hannah Daley, Siobhan Walsh (C),Sophie Norman, Seren Watkins (Zoe Atkins 59), Danielle Broadhurst, Amy Williams (Michaela Major 75), Phoebie Poole, Megan Saunders.
Goals: Phoebie Poole 44,89, Chelsey Harris Own Goal 58, Zoe Atkins 75
Yellow Cards: Lisa Owen 43, Seren Watkins 1,
