Cardiff City send Wrexham reality check as Molly Kehoe scores twice
CEFN-MAWR, WREXHAM, WALES - 8th OCTOBER 2023 - Cardiff celebrate their second goal during Wrexham AFC Women vs Cardiff City Women in Round 4 of the Genero Adran Premier at The Rock, Cefn-Mawr (Pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)
Cardiff City rose to the top of the Adran Premier table with a 3-0 away victory against Wrexham at The Rock Stadium.
A brace from attacker Molly Kehoe followed by a first goal of the season from Ffion Price saw the Bluebirds run out comfortable winners against the home side.
The result sees Cardiff go top of the league with 10 points after four games as they remain unbeaten.
Wrexham sit fourth in the league on seven points after suffering their first defeat of the season against the reigning champions.
Cardiff manager Iain Darbishire was pleased with his teams performance, he also commented on suggestions of his side being scared to visit Wrexham. Speaking to Sgorio he said
“There was a bit of talk about us potentially being scared about coming up to Wrexham this week which is interesting because we’re unbeaten champions.”
“I thought that we dominated 80-90 percent of that game and could have had a few more goals, but ultimately a clean sheet and the three points and we’ll take it.”
The first chance of the game fell the way of the home side. Rosie Hughes, who warned the away side that they should be ‘worried’ ahead of this fixture was found by a cross from Lili Jones. She was unable to control her strike though as it bobbled before being cleared.
City’s first attempt on goal came from a Ffion Price free kick. The full back is something of a set piece expert but her free kick sailed over the bar.
It was Price again who come close for the away side as they looked for an opener. A cross from Rhianne Oakley found Price towards the back of the box. Her strike again sailing over the bar.
Price continued to be in the right positions for the Bluebirds. Molly Kehoe done well to deliver a cross from the byline that reached Price at the back of the box. She drilled the ball back across goal but it was cleared well by the home side.
The away side started to dominate possession and their pressure payed off. Kehoe doing brilliantly to skill-fully beat Keren Allen before breaking in to the box. Her first shot was saved by the keeper but she latched on to the rebound to fire the Bluebirds ahead on the 35th minute.
The solo goal was enough to see the away side go in at half time with the lead.
It was a fast paced start from the Bluebirds in the second half as they grabbed their second on the 48th minute. Kehoe again the scorer, beating the keeper to a through ball before rounding, she outpaced the defence to slot home a second.
City defender Megan Bowen picked up the first yellow of the game a minute later for a late challenge.
It looked as though the home side had grabbed a goal back just before the hour mark. A long ball over the top by Lili Jones found Rebecca Pritchard running through. She beat the keeper to the ball and headed towards goal. It was rolling in before Siobhan Walsh got back to clear off the line and out for a corner.
From the resulting corner captain Allen rose highest to head towards goal but she could only manage to direct the ball wide of the post.
City defender Lisa Owen was replaced by Danielle Green on the 66th minute. Green was a nuisance down the left hand side leading to the first Wrexham booking on the 74th minute. Defender Phoebe Davies picking up the card for a late challenge.
The free kick lead to a third for the away side as Price got her first of the season. Midfielder Seren Watkins played a looping ball in to the box and the keepers attempt to punch away dropped to Price. It bounced kindly for the defender as she smashed home the ball in to an open goal.
The away side’s confidence was in full flow as they began to dominate the game and mount pressure on the Wrexham defence. Kehoe again come close to her third just two minutes later as she struck first time from the edge of the area but it went inches past the post.
The away side hit the post through substitute Tija Richardson in added time but were unable to add more goals as their dominant performance saw them run out comfortable winners.
Wrexham AFC – Delyth Morgan (GK), Phoebe Davies, Erin Lovett, Louisha Doran, Rebecca Pritchard (Natasha Spearing 70’), Rosie Hughes, Tonicha Dickens, Carra Jones (Lily Whitefoot 70’), Lili Jones, Keren Allen (C), Mari Gibbard (Libby Mackenzie 81’)
Goals:
Yellow Cards: Phoebe Davies 75’
Cardiff City – Ceryn Chamberlain (GK), Lisa Owen (Danielle Green 66’), Ffion Price, Hannah Power, Siobhan Walsh (C) (Kelly Adams 82’), Megan Bowen, Rhianne Oakley (Tija Richardson 82’), Seren Watkins, Molly Kehoe, Emma Beynon, Eliza Collie (Mackenzie Olden 74’)
Goals: Molly Kehoe 35’ 48’ Ffion Price 76’
Yellow Cards: Megan Bowen 49’
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