Swansea City’s three-year unbeaten run in the league was brought to an end as they were defeated 3-2 by Cardiff City.
Goals from Amy Williams, Zoe Atkins, and Catherine Walsh gave the Bluebirds their second consecutive win in Phase Two.
Substitute Karmyn Carter twice found the net but that wasn’t enough to prevent a first Adran Premier defeat since October 2018.
The win moves Iain Darbyshire’s side up to second after Cardiff Met’s match with Aberystwyth Town was postponed at the last minute.
The Swans were without the likes of Claire Skinner and Shaunna Jenkins whilst Tija Richardson has moved to league rivals Cardiff Met.
The hosts controlled the early openings of the first half with Amy Williams running through the Swansea team as Phoebie Poole had her effort go inches over the bar.
Ffion Price moments later had a set-piece as the goalscoring full-back struck her free-kick into the hands of Border, but the wind nearly played a factor as she dropped the ball on the line following the effort.
Swansea could not cope with the pressure and they fell behind after all of Cardiff’s attacking endeavors.
Price whipped a ball into the middle as a Swansea player headed the ball into the back post for Amy Williams to brilliantly bring the ball down to fire into the top right corner for her fifth goal of the campaign.
Swansea nearly grabbed a goal back as Chloe Chivers flicked the ball over a Cardiff defender as she tried to chip Ceryn Chamberlain with her effort hitting the crossbar. Stacey John-Davies was close to the rebound but could not manage to connect with the ball from close range.
The chance that went begging from Swansea proved costly as they fell further behind in what was a shock lead.
Poole delivered a ball into the centre as Zoe Atkins managed to connect with the ball as she doubled her side’s advantage. This was the first time that Swansea had conceded more than two goals in a league game since April 2018.
What was two soon became three as City entered dreamland, going three goals to the good, which made it the first time in four years that the Swans had shipped three in the league.
Catherine Walsh hit a soft effort straight at the keeper but Border had a moment to forget as the ball went through her legs and went just over the line.
Swansea could not find any chances to challenge chamberlain as Ffion Price hit another set-piece as the wind caused Border to fumble the ball in the last chance of the half.
The second half started slowly as the influential Chloe Chivers came off injured with American Karmyn Carter replacing her.
There were no chances for either side in the second half until 20 minutes to go as Carter grabbed one back for the away side to bring the lead down to two. Carter was picked out by John Davies as she played the ball to Carter who slotted it past Chamberlain.
As the weather played a factor Jessica Williams hit a 35-yard strike in which Chamberlain had a slight touch to prevent Derbyshire’s side lead to go down to one.
With five minutes left to go of the 90, Swansea won a corner in which Katy Hosford had her delivery go through everyone as Carter grabbed her second off the bench as she converted from close range.
The nerves were high for Cardiff City as they stopped the pressure coming from Chris Church’s side to see out a memorable win.
Cardiff City: Ceryn Chamberlain, Ffion Price, Hannah Daley, Siobhan Walsh (C), Phoebie Poole, Seren Watkins, Catherine Walsh, Danielle Broadhurst, Amy Williams (Danielle Green, 72), Zoe Atkins (Lily Billingham, 79), Holly Smith.
Goals: Amy Williams 17, Zoe Atkins 21, Catherine Walsh 34’
Yellow Cards: Catherine Walsh 74′
Swansea City: Gemma Border, Alicia Powe (C), Ellie Lake, Kelly Adams, Nieve Jenkins (Sarah Adams, 79), Chloe Chivers (Karmyn Carter, 56), Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davis, Rhianne Oakley, Laura Davies, Jessica Williams.
Goals: Kaermyn Carter, 73, 86′
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