Cardiff City Women continue their impressive start to the Adran Premier season with a 4–0 win over Aberystwyth Town at Leckwith Stadium.
Phoebie Poole’s first-half brace, along with second-half goals from Amy Williams and Danielle Broadhurst secured all three points.
The victory sees the Bluebirds remain on top of the table with six points from their opening two games and are yet to concede a goal.
Despite a valiant display, Aberystwyth Town succumb to their first defeat of the season, with Flavia Jenkins’ red card making a second-half comeback a tough ask.
In a competitive start, both sides created early chances, with summer recruit Megan Saunders finding Pheobie Poole in the box, who turned well before being denied by a fine block from Rebecca Mathias.
The Seasiders looked a danger on the counter-attack and went close through the lively Libby Isaac, who broke well down the right, but couldn’t find a teammate with her cutback into the box.
A positive spell of chances then came for the Bluebirds, firstly with Poole trying her luck from distance and forcing a save out of Ffion Ashman.
Centre-back Hannah Daley showed superb distribution to find Amy Williams on the left, who cut inside, only to have her effort at goal brilliantly blocked.
A huge chance then fell for Darbyshire’s side, with Poole again involved, as the striker raced through on the right, but was denied by an excellent save from Ashman.
The Bluebirds weren’t to be denied however, as they took the lead in the 30th minute.
Poole searched for space in the box to shoot, before being brought down by Seasiders midfielder Caroline Cooper. The striker confidently stepped up to give her side the lead from the spot.
Aberystwyth Town responded excellently and went close to an immediate equaliser, as Flavia Jenkins found space on the left to fire narrowly wide, with Amy Jenkins also going close.
The hosts were clinical however, as an intricate move resulting in Poole finding space to net her second of the game.
Darbyshire’s side almost added a third before the break, with captain Siobhan Walsh meeting a corner, only for her header to hit the post.
Shortly before half-time, the Seasiders were reduced to ten, as Flavia Jenkins was shown a straight red card following a tussle with a Cardiff City defender.
Despite a competitive early period, the Bluebirds headed into the break with a two-goal lead thanks to Poole’s brace.
With the numerical advantage, Cardiff City controlled possession in the second-half and pressed to add more goals to their tally.
After a strong defensive showing from Aberystwyth early in the second period, the pressure told, as the Bluebirds secured a third goal in the 61st minute.
Right-back Lisa Owen found Williams, whose effort at goal looped into the net for her first since signing for the club from Abergavenny Women over the summer.
The Bluebirds had a great chance to add a fourth goal with Owen again involved, crossing brilliantly for substitute Zoe Atkins, who couldn’t quite turn the ball home from close-range.
Darbyshire’s side found joy in attacking down the right, as substitute Danielle Green crossed for Williams at the back-post, who volleyed wide of the mark.
In the dying minutes, Cardiff City added a fourth, with Catherine Walsh finding Danielle Broadhurst with a brilliant pass. The latter fired home from close range for her first goal of the campaign.
Despite a competitive performance from Aberystwyth, the Bluebirds continue their impressive start to the season.
Cardiff City Women now travel to face The New Saints, while Aberystwyth Town host Cardiff Metropolitan University in their next fixture.
Cardiff City Women: Ceryn Chamberlain, Lisa Owen, Siobhan Walsh (C), Hannah Daley, Ffion Price, Sophie Norman (Catherine Walsh 69’), Seren Watkins, Danielle Broadhurst, Megan Saunders (Zoe Atkins 69’), Amy Williams, Phoebie Poole (Danielle Green 62’)
Goals: Pheobie Poole 30’, 37’, Amy Williams 61’, Danielle Broadhurt 87’
Aberystwyth Town Women: Ffion Ashman, Josie Pugh, Rebecca Mathias, Lucie Gwilt, Hannah Pusey (Ffiona Evans 45’), Kelly Thomas (C), Bethan Roberts, Flavia Jenkins, Caroline Cooper, Libby Isaac (Helen Evans 45’), Amy Jenkins (Gwenllian Jones 64’)
Red Cards: Flavia Jenkins 43’
(Featured Image: Mike James)
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