Cardiff City 2-1 Pontypridd Town: Megan Saunders brace gives Bluebirds victory in competitive affair
Cardiff City Women 9-1 Caldicot Town Ladies in the FAW Women’s Cup at Leckwith Stadium on the 3rd October 2021. Credit: Mike James
Cardiff City rounded off a good week with a 2-1 victory over Pontypridd Town at Leckwith Stadium with Megan Saunders scoring a brace.
Saunders put the Bluebirds ahead in the third minute but her effort was cancelled out by Niamh Tinman. The 20-year-old restored their lead with a sublime effort from 25-yards out to secure a second league win of the week.
Iain Darbyshire’s side moves up to second as a result of the victory whilst Pontypridd are consigned to a third league defeat in a row.
Straight from the kick-off, Cardiff pulled ahead through a goal from Saunders. Danielle Green’s low cross found the attacker who smacked a shot past Maisie Jones.
In search of a response, there were two corners in quick succession which almost gave Ponty an equaliser. Renee Day’s set-piece found Holly Broad, though the captain was unable to keep her attempt down.
There was a chance to pull further ahead however as Ffion Price’s cross was flipped to Danielle Broadhurst who sent a low shot just across the goal line.
Pontypridd levelled things up in the 15th minute though in a goal that was deserved. Trickey from Anais Trinci paid off as her cross found Tinman who drove her shot home.
Tinman’s goal inspired Pontypridd to take control of the game and they almost went in front. Olivia Barnett played in Alison Witts and her shot was cleared off the line by Hannah Daley.
Pontypridd created more opportunities and Witts herself almost scored as her reflex shot went just past the post for the last chance of the half.
Cardiff came out from the changing rooms first and was the more switched on team for the restart.
Youngster Lily Billingham was growing into the game, waiting to pounce on any errors or misplaced passes from the Pontypridd defence.
City went near from distance as Sophie Norman laced up a shot that was near the target.
A few minutes after the hour, Cardiff went back in front and it was Saunders again. In a pocket of space from 25-yards, she let fly a rasping shot that beat the rooted Jones.
The goal didn’t dampen Pontypridd’s spirits though as they fought for an equaliser. Witts was unfortunate not to score as she hit the crossbar with a scooped effort.
In the last five minutes of regulation time, there were more chances for the home side to deal with the determined visitors. Renee Day almost placed a shot under Mujica but the keeper blocked well before Ffion Spence shot over the rebound.
The shots dried up however into the last few moments of the game and Cardiff successfully saw out the game for the victory.
Cardiff City: Zara Mujica Pernalete, Lisa Owen, Ffion Price, Hannah Daley, Siobhan Walsh (C), Sophie Norman (Zoe Atkins, 70), Catherine Walsh, Danielle Broadhurst, Danielle Green, Megan Saunders (Eliza Collie, 90), Lily Billingham (Amy Williams, 80)
Goals: Megan Saunders 3, 65′
Yellow Card: Lisa Owen 53′
Pontypridd Town: Maisie Jones, Clare Daley-Smith, Holly Broad, Renee Day (Kirsty Pervin-Davies, 90), Robyn Pinder, Alison Witts (Jasmine Simpson, 74), Anais Trinci, Ffion Spence, Sinead Melinn, Niamh Tinman, Olivia Barnett.
Goals: Niamh Tinman 16′
