Cardiff City maintained their unbeaten campaign in the Genero Adran Premier after beating Aberystwyth Town 5-1 at Park Avenue on Sunday afternoon.
The Bluebirds made three changes from their last game in the league. There was a change in goal with 17-year-old Emily Roberts coming in for Cory Chamberlain, whilst Lily Billingham and Megan Saunders were also brought into the side.
Aberystwyth boss Gavin Allen made just one change to his side from their last game against Wrexham when the Seasiders reached the Adran Trophy Semi-Final. Libby Isaac came in for captain Kelly Thomas, with Rebecca Mathias taking the armband for the game.
Thomas would be introduced to the game much earlier than expected, with Elin Jones going down with an injury meaning she could not carry on. Jones did well to handle the league’s top scorer Phoebie Poole up until that point, in what was a huge blow for Aber Town.
Despite their tremendous form in the Adran Premier and deserved 1st place position, Cardiff would have to come from behind to continue their unbeaten run at Park Avenue.
This was after Gwenllian Jones’ corner went all the way in off the back post, which gave Aberystwyth Town a shock lead against Cardiff.
It was a deserved lead for Aber Town, who took the game to Cardiff in the first half especially after the goal. The Bluebirds needed a response to going a goal down, yet it was the Seasiders who continued to be in control of the game.
However, just before the half-time whistle a key moment in the game would unfold. After Poole found her way through on goal, substitute Kelly Thomas took out the Cardiff City striker, giving referee James Bartram no choice but to dismiss her from the field.
This changed the game in Cardiff’s favour. Attacker Libby Isaac had to fill in at centre-back for the home side, a role she is not used to.
City made a change at half-time with Megan Saunders making way for Rhianne Oakley, who scored in the reverse fixture between the two sides. She would copy the same feat within two minutes of the second half.
Ffion Price, who had an excellent game for the Bluebirds, fired a dangerous ball into the back post from the right, which was eventually put away by Oakley to bring Cardiff level.
Iain Derbyshire’s side finally started finding their flow after that, and were finally in front on the 60 minute mark. After Danielle Green’s cross was cleared, the clearance was met by a fantastic volley from Price on the edge of the box, who found the bottom left corner to put Cardiff in front.
Aberystwyth look deflated after the red card. They could not find any space in the Cardiff half and could not create any chances being one player down.
Cardiff sealed the game with three goals in six minutes, the first of which came from the top scorer Poole. She was kept relatively quiet up until that point. However, a well-timed ball in behind the Aber Town defence from substitute Zoe Atkins found the striker, who calmly placed her shot past Seasiders goalkeeper Elen Valentine.
Skipper Siobhan scored a brace of corners to sum up a much improved second-half performance by the defender, who looked a lot better on the ball at the back in the second 45 minutes.
The 5-1 win puts the Bluebirds eight points clear of South Wales rivals Swansea City, as Derbyshire’s side continue their dream of going the whole season unbeaten.
Aberystwyth Town remain 6th despite their efforts, but were helped by Cardiff Met’s 8-1 thrashing of Barry Town United, as the Seasiders look to stay in the Adran Premier.
Aberystwyth Town XI: Valentine, Gwilt (Wylde 69), Mathias, Roberts, E. Jones (K.Thomas 15), E. Thomas (Baker 69), Isaac, Chambers, F. Evans, G. Jones, Jenkins (S.Evans 51)
Unused Sub: Mawle
Goalscorer: G. Jones 27
Red Card: K. Thomas 45
Cardiff City XI: Roberts, Price, Power, Walsh, Watkins (Major 84), Broadhurst (Atkins 76), Green, Poole (Owen 84), Bowen (Smith 84), Billingham, Saunders (Oakley 46)
Goalscorers: Oakley 47, Price 60, Poole 79, Walsh 81, 84
Yellow Card: Smith 86
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
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