Swansea City kept up their unbeaten start to their Adran Leagues campaign – whilst ending Cardiff’s unbeaten run – with a 4-0 victory at Cardiff International Sports Stadium.
Chloe Chivers opened the scoring early on before Katy Hosford doubled the Swans’ lead early in the second half. Substitute Rhianne Oakley scored a brace to secure the victory.
The first goal of the afternoon was not only the best of the match but could be a contender for goal of the season. After a cross was cleared by Walsh, and some aerial pinball, the ball fell to Chivers halfway into Cardiff’s half. She attempted what seemed to be an optimistic lob, and it flew into the goal out of Chamberlain’s reach.
Swansea kept up their dominance for around ten minutes after the goal, but failed to make it count. Midfielder Ria Hughes attempted to copy Chivers’ goal with a lob from distance, but this time it was over the bar. Hosford was then played through on goal after a lovely dink by Stacey John-Davis, but she lost her footing whilst taking a shot and the danger was averted for Cardiff.
In the last 20 minutes of the half, the home side seemed to have finally found their footing in the game. The first sign of danger was from Danielle Green’s strike at the edge of the box. Skinner got down to parry it wide, in what was her first action of the game.
Swansea had two great opportunities to double their lead through Katy Hosford. After a cross by John-Davis was punched away by Chamberlain, Hosford attempted a volley, but it flew over the bar. Hosford got another hance just seconds later, forcing Chamberlain to parry her effort out for a corner.
Cardiff’s best chance of the first half came from a corner in the dying minutes. Green, who had been Cardiff’s biggest attacking threat, received the ball from a corner and Skinner saved her original shot, but Green then received the ball again. Her shot was blocked by Swansea’s defence, and then Swansea eventually cleared as Jenkins dribbled away with the ball.
Just five minutes into the second half, the away side doubled their lead. Katy Hosford’s corner was headed towards goal, but it didn’t find the target. John-Davis retrieved the ball however and passed it back to Hosford on the wing. She crossed the ball into the box, but it avoided everyone – including the goalkeeper – and went all the way into the goal.
From this point onward, Swansea completely dominated the game. Hosford nearly doubled her tally through a close-range shot, which was parried out by Chamberlain. Tija Richardson then had an optimistic effort from a similar range to Chivers, but it was over the bar.
Substitute Rhianne Oakley secured the win with two goals in as many minutes for the Swans.
The first goal came after Chamberlain came out of her area to try to claim a loose ball, but Oakley beat her to it. The striker easily took the ball past the goalkeeper and was left with a tap-in into an open goal.
For her second goal, Cardiff’s Siobhan Walsh and was caught out and dispossessed by Oakley. Oakley kept her composure to slot the ball past the goalkeeper for Swansea’s fourth of the afternoon.
Adran Premier – Fixtures and Results – 2021/2022 season
Player of the Match:
Katy Hosford – Swansea City
The left-winger was the liveliest player for the Swans, and she found it very easy to break past her marker. She can consider herself unlucky not to get at least one goal in the first half, but her second-half strike is no less than she deserved.
Line-Ups:
Cardiff City: Ceryn Chamberlain, Lisa Owen, Ffion Price, Hannah Daley, Siobhan Walsh (C), Sophie Norman (Catherine Walsh 64’), Phoebie Poole (Zoe Atkins 82’), Seren Watkins, Danielle Broadhurst, Danielle Green, Megan Saunders (Amy Williams 57’)
Unused substitutes: Zara Mujica, Charley Hocking
Yellow card: Hannah Daley 31’
Swansea City: Claire Skinner, Alicia Powe (C), Shaunna Jenkins (Nieve Jenkins 78’), Ellie Lake, Kelly Adams, Ria Hughes, Chloe Chivers (Rhianne Oakley 58’), Katy Hosford, Stacy John-Davis, Laura Davies (Emma Beynon 72’), Tija Richardson
Unused substitutes: Gemma Border, Chloe Tiley
Goals: Chloe Chivers 8, Katy Hosford 50, Rhianne Oakley 72, 74’
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