Aberystwyth hold champions Cardiff City to a point

Cardiff City were forced to settle for a point, as Aberystwyth Town put in a battling display in a 0-0 draw in Leckwith.

The game was incredibly open with both sides going for it in the first half, but as the game meandered on, Aber defended expertly. Cardiff couldn’t find a way through all afternoon, and a point a piece was certainly the fair outcome.

City made three changes to the side that beat Met last time out. Ceryn Chamberlain, Catherine Walsh, and Hollie Smith all came in for Amelia Forkings, Meg Bowen, and Molly Kehoe. Aberystwyth, on the other hand, named an unchanged XI from the side that defeated Barry on opening day.

From the off, it was clear to see that both sides wanted to attack. City have built some solid foundations which mean attack has always been their first form of defence. For Aber, the trio of Amy Jenkins, Lily Moralee-Hughes, and Lleucu Mathias looked quick and never stopped harrying the Bluebirds back line.

While their play was good, it was a nightmare start for the home side. Mikayla Cook and Hollie Smith both sustained injuries within the first 15 minutes and were forced to come off, which led to a change of shape.

Regardless of the changes, it was City who had the first chance of the game. Eliza Collie raced in on goal, but with only keeper Margot Farnes to beat, it was the new Aber signing that came out on top. That became a theme of the first half, Collie going through, but Farnes pulling off remarkable saves to keep Aber in the contest.

When they did go forward, Aber looked dangerous, and they had a few chances of their own in the first 45. Rebecca Mathias had the best opportunity with a rasping shot from distance, but Ceryn Chamberlain made a great fingertip save.

As both headed back into the changing rooms, the game was still very much in the balance.

The second half started in the same manner as the first. The intensity from both sides was off the charts, but when it came to putting the ball in the back of the net, both struggled.

In Cardiff’s defence, they were coming up against a keeper in inspired form, and Farnes looked unbeatable. No matter how hard the likes of Collie and Catherine Walsh tried, they simply couldn’t find a way through. When they did beat her, they still couldn’t score. Mackenzie Olden’s curling effort looked destined for the top corner, but it smacked against the crossbar.

Defensively, Aber were valiant and courageous, and their last ditch tackling and blocking frustrated the Bluebirds no end. So much so that Seren Watkins was shown two yellow cards in stoppage time, reducing the champions down to ten players.

City will question themselves after this game for sure, but for Aber, it’s a result that could do wonders for their season.

Next week sees Cardiff City host TNS, while Aberystwyth will welcome Pontypridd United to Park Avenue.

Player of the Match: Margot Farnes

There were so many players in green and black who stood out to me today. Libby Isaac, Rebecca Mathias, and Niamh Duggan all shined, but Farnes was on fire. City’s strikers couldn’t find a way through her. It was never going to be an easy task to replace Elen Valentine, but Farnes is showing that she can fill those shoes early on.

Cardiff City

Ceryn Chamberlain, Ffion Price, Hannah Power ©, Rhianne Oakley, Seren Watkins, Catherine Walsh (Mackenzie Olden 55’), Danielle Green, Hollie Smith (Kelly Adams 13’), Mikayla Cook (Lisa Owen 12’), Emma Beynon, Eliza Collie (Zoe Atkins 86’)

Unused Subs: Amelia Forkings, Zoe Atkins

Yellow Cards: Seren Watkins (90’)

Red Cards: Seren Watkins (90’)

Aberystwyth Town

Margot Farnes, Lucie Gwilt, Rebecca Mathias, Bethan Roberts, Niamh Duggan (Kelly Thomas 82’), Libby Isaac, Ffiona Evans, Lily Moralee-Hughes (Modlen Gwynne 62’), Imogen Scourfield, Amy Jenkins © (Tania Wylde 69’), Lleucu Mathias (Gwenllian Jones 61’)

Yellow Cards: Lucie Gwilt (76’), Kelly Thomas (88’), Imogen Scourfield (90’)

After the game, we caught up with Aberystwyth captain Amy Jenkins to discuss the result.

“The girls battled really hard today. Two weeks ago, Cardiff City were playing Champions League football, and we’ve come here and taken a point off the champions. It’s just fantastic, I’m lost for words! The girls put in so much effort, we ran hard, I think we were all cramping up towards the end, but it was amazing, everyone put a shift in.

“This gives us so much confidence for the rest of the season. This was a scalp, we did fantastically. The aim was to disrupt their play, and I think, people are going to start to realise that we’re not here to take part, we are here to take over.”

(Featured Image: Chris Howells)