Cardiff Bluebelles 8-0 Merthyr Town: Cardiff Bluebelles simply great

Cardiff Bluebelles return to action in the Adran South with a 8-0 hammering over Merthyr Town. Ellis Lunn got herself a hat trick as the Bluebelles run riot at Cardiff University Sports Field.

Ellis Lunn got the first goal after 18 minutes before Annie Cruse added a second on 20 minutes. Captain Rebecca Cornelius made it three after 30 minutes to send the home in at the break ahead. Lunn got her second just after the restart and completed her hat trick from the spot after 65 minutes. Molly Chapman made it six just a minute later. Hannah Moger added a seventh after 76 minutes and Erin Flynn made it eight on 77 minutes.

Cardiff Bluebelles move into third spot in the Adran South after the win with 16 points, three behind leaders Abergavenny. Merthyr remain bottom of the table and still in search of their first points.

Cardiff Bluebelles started brightly working the ball around the pitch and looking to play in behind the Merthyr defence. Annie Cruse setting up Erin Flynn for a chance which hit the post in the opening minutes.

Cruse soon saw her shot come back off the post after a good ball over the Merthyr back line gave her a shooting chance.

Ella Howells tried her luck from distance for Merthyr but her shot was wide.

Rebecca Jones played a good though ball to Cruse, who put the ball in the net. The goal didn’t count as Cruse was flagged for offside.

Charlene Hewings and Cruse linked up on the right and Hewings sent the ball to Ellis Lunn who turned the ball in with a low shot into the corner.

Lunn soon turned provider as worked her way into the box and squared the ball to Cruse. Cruse fired in to make it two.

Cardiff Bluebelles were in rampant form going forward as Lunn set up Charlene Hewings for a shot at goal. Merthyr keeper Shannon Miller had to be alert to clear the ball off the line.

Merthyr struggled to deal with the passing play and constant attacks soon found themselves three down. Bluebelles Captain picked the ball up by the penalty spot and fired a low drive into the goal after Merthyr were unable to clear.

Lunn struck the crossbar soon after the reset. Lunn cut inside the box and sent a shot over Miller only to see it strike the bar.

Hewings was played through on goal finding herself one on one with Miller. Hewings shot but too close to the keeper who saved but Ellis Lunn was able to get the rebound and turn it home.

Rebecca Jones almost scored directly from a corner with Merthyr having to clear the ball off the line.

Shannon Miller had to sharp again to stop Molly Chapman’s close-range effort, as she turned it round the post.

Just past the hour mark and the home side were given a penalty for a foul inside the box. Ellis Lunn stepped up to try and complete her hat trick. Lunn fired the ball into the roof of the net leaving Miller no chance.

Just a minute later and Chapman was played in on goal. Chapman fired the ball into the net to make it six.

Merthyr tried to pull a goal back with Amy Davies shooting just wide. A well-worked move saw an effort at goal that forced a save from Kirsty Lewis.

It was a day for the Bluebelles as Hannah Moger added a seventh goal after 76 minutes, but they saved the best for last. Erin Flynn picked the ball up in the middle of the Merthyr half just to the left and sent a curling lob over Miller into the top corner to round off the win.

Cardiff Bluebelles: Kirsty Lewis (G), Hannah Moger, Georgia Roberts-Powell, Alice Cato, Rebecca Cornelius (C), Georgina Watts (Helene Reiminger 57), Annie Cruse, Rebecca Jones, Ellis Lunn, Gabrielle Cates (Erin Flynn 58), Charlene Hewings (Molly Chapman 59).

Goals: Ellis Lunn 18, 47, 65 (Pen), Annie Cruse 20, Rebecca Cornelius 30, Molly Chapman 66, Hannah Moger 76, Erin Flynn 77.

Merthyr Town: Shannon Miller (G), Lilia Simonov, Casey Cayford, Alysha Hitchings (C), Morgan Evans, Charlie Prosser (Isabelle Kaler 62), Talia Jones (Erin McNulty 74), Jess Pascoe, Sophie Whittle, Nicole O’Leary (Amy Davies 54), Ella Howells.

(Featured Image: John Smith/FAW)