Cardiff City keep unbeaten season hopes alive with win over Barry Town in Adran Premier

Cardiff City kept alive their hopes of yet another unbeaten season after defeating Barry Town United 3-1 at Jenner Park.

All the goals came in the first half. Early hits from Siobhan Walsh and Mikayla Cook had City in full control, but when Taite Trivett pulled one back on the cusp of half time, you thought something special could happen.

However, Emma Beynon’s first goal for the club a minute after Trivett’s strike ensured all three points were coming back to the capital.

The result keeps Cardiff City top, and eight points clear of second placed Swansea City. Barry stay in sixth and will now participate for the Plate.

Barry elected to make three changes from the side that last took to the field in their win over Cardiff Met. Holly Jenkins, India Shanahan, and Emily Freeman came out of the line up, with Nia Davies, Taite Trivett and Sienna Stone replacing them.

Cardiff City made four changes from their last game, which was a victory over Pontypridd United. There were starting places for Ceryn Chamberlain, Seren Watkins, Oliva Basham, and Meg Bowen, with Anna Phelps, Kerry Walklett, Kelly Adams, and Eliza Collie coming out of the eleven.

There were also a clutch of former players facing off against their old teams. Bowen returned to Jenner Park in City colours, while Catherine Walsh and Danielle Broadhurst faced the side they had left earlier this season.

From the off, City looked to dominate and were finding early success through Ffion Price, who looked to hot to handle for Sienna Stone.

But it only took six minutes for the deadlock to be broken. A Seren Watkins corner was sent to the far edge of the box, and rising highest to meet it was Siobhan Walsh, who guided her header into the far corner.

Now the Bluebirds could look to build on their good work. The wings in particular were an area of enjoyment for the reigning champions, and they looked dangerous every time they curated an attack down the flanks.

And it was one of those wingers who added the second goal midway through the half. Mikayla Cook looked to get on the end of Hollie Smith’s pass, and while she looked second best to get to the ball, her tenacious work saw her beat the defenders and be able to sweep the ball into the net.

From a Barry perspective, they couldn’t test Ceryn Chamberlain enough in the Barry net. The closest they came was through a long-range Walsh free kick, which went straight down the keeper’s throat.

While Chamberlain looked comfortable, her error led to Barry getting themselves back into the tie out of nowhere.

Taite Trivett used her pace to race past defenders, and she managed to beat the onrushing keeper to the ball, before tucking it away to an empty net.

Suddenly, there was an air of confidence around Jenner Park, but that only lasted a minute, as City restored their two-goal lead before the break.

• Clinical NFA put four past CPDM Bangor to move off bottom of Adran North

Cook once again proved to be key in the build-up, as she put a dangerous cross into the box. While Molly Kehoe couldn’t convert the cross, Emma Beynon was in the right place to slam the ball home from close range. The Bluebirds thoroughly deserved to be in front at the break.

For all the excitement that the first half produced, the second half couldn’t live up to the same expectations.

While City did hold the ball more and got on the attack often, they couldn’t put together any meaningful attempts on target. A wind assisted free kick from Cook was the closest they got, but Brennan was alert to divert the danger away.

The biggest thing that could derail the Bluebirds were injuries. Cook and Bowen were taken off with suspected knocks, but the young players who came into replace them didn’t look out of place.

Olivia Basham had looked confident throughout, while substitute Madison Lloyd almost scored after showing a great burst of speed, but Brennan once again made a good save.

With the number of injuries at the club growing, Cardiff will need to rely on these young players. But they all made good starts to their senior careers, as they took all three points away from Jenner Park.

Next weekend sees the final games of phase one take place. Barry Town will be at home to Pontypridd United, while Cardiff City will host Swansea City.

Player of the Match: Mikayla Cook

We’ve often lauded Ffion Price, and rightly so, but Mikayla Cook on the other flank has been brilliant this season and proved it today. She isn’t afraid of taking on markers, she can put in a good delivery, and she has got a tenacity about her that makes her a nightmare for any opponent.

Barry Town United

Erin Brennan, Lauren Harris, Nia Davies (Caitlin Davies 88’), Hana Bennett, Taite Trivett (Evie Griffiths 88’), Danielle Broadhurst, Sienna Stone, Catherine Walsh (Amelia Herbert 83’), Chloe Tiley © (India Shanahan 46’), Aimee Deacon (Grace Batsford 73’), Angharad Beman

Goals: Taite Trivett (45’)

Yellows: Aimee Deacon (47’), Sienna Stone (50’)

Cardiff City

Ceryn Chamberlain, Ffion Price, Hannah Power, Siobhan Walsh ©, Meg Bowen (Tija Richardson 46’), Seren Watkins (Madison Lloyd 68’), Oliva Basham, Molly Kehoe (Demi Parry 90’), Hollie Smith, Mikayla Cook (Grace Evans 79’), Emma Beynon

Unused Subs: Anna Phelps

Goals: Siobhan Walsh (6’), Mikayla Cook (21’), Emma Beynon (45’)

Yellows: Meg Bowen (38’), Seren Watkins (57’)

After the game, we caught up with Cardiff City’s Emma Beynon.

“I think we were very composed throughout the game. It’s always a tough game when you come down to Barry, but we were clinical and managed to get the three points. When we play our own style of football it’s good, but we had to be up to the physical battle today and we were. Everyone put a shift in.

“I’m so happy to have finally scored for the club. I’ve had a bit of stick from the girls in the changing room for not scoring yet, but it’s all good banter and I’m delighted that I’m off the mark.

“The young players who are coming through have been really good. In training they’ve shown what they’re capable of. The results for the U19s team have shown what these players can do and having them in the squad now is good for us and good for their development. I can’t say a bad thing about them because they’ve come in and done what’s been asked of them.”

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)