Cardiff City start phase two with 3-0 win over Aberystwyth Town

Cardiff City put in a professional performance to start to phase two of the Adran Premier, as they defeated Aberystwyth Town 3-0.

Rhianne Oakley awakened the crowd after she capitalised on a defensive mix up to put City ahead in the first half.

Shortly after the break, Hollie Smith and Eliza Collie scored quick goals to put the game beyond doubt. Aber were resilient, but they simply ran into a better team today.

Cardiff City stay top of the Championship group, while Aberystwyth remain in fourth spot.

The Bluebirds made three changes from their last outing against Swansea City in the Welsh Cup. Siobhan Walsh, Kelly Adams, and Mikayla Cook were replaced by Meg Bowen, Molly Kehoe, and Emma Beynon.

The Seasiders also made three changes from their last outing, which was the Adran Trophy defeat to today’s opponents. Bethan Roberts, Lily Moralee-Hughes, and Lleucu Mathias made way for Gwenllian Jones, Gwenllian Mason, and Modlen Gwynne.

From the off City made their intentions known. Choosing to launch their attacks down the wings, they certainly made the Aber defence retreat, but to their credit, the visitors were holding their own. The closest City got in the opening 20 minutes was through Eliza Collie, but her deflected effort bounced wide of the post.

The hush around Leckwith was broken however minutes before the half hour mark. A defensive mix up between Libby Isaac and Margot Farnes allowed the ball to bobble to Rhianne Oakley in the box. With an open net in front of her, the forward swept home and eased tension around the Bluebirds camp.

After the goal, the game reverted back to being a quiet one. Both teams were sloppy in possession, and neither were communicating much on the pitch. Was it nerves? Was it rustiness? Who knows, but going into the break, the crowd were certainly hoping for a bit of life in the second half.

Almost instantly, the hosts found a second goal. Ffion Price hung a corner up to the far post, where the ball found Hollie Smith, who powered in a header to chalk up her first goal of the season. Two minutes later it was three. Molly Kehoe skipped into space in the box, and while her shot was palmed away by Margot Farnes, Collie was in the right place at the right time to poke home. Were the floodgates about to open?

Well not quite. Much of the game was being staged in the midfield area, and when both tried to venture forward, both defences looked on top. When defensive barricades were breached, the goalkeepers looked assured.

The rest of the second half went by without incident. Both may feel like they could have done more, but the Bluebirds will take the three points and move on in their quest to retain their crown.

Up next for Cardiff City is a trip to Wrexham, while Aberystwyth Town are on the road once more, this time facing Swansea City.

Player of the Match: Emma Beynon

It was a good team performance from City today, but I thought Beynon was great. The game was often fought in the middle of the park, and Beynon brought a level of composure to the hosts that allowed them to dominate the battle and get forward.

Cardiff City

Ceryn Chamberlain (Anna Phelps 65’), Lisa Owen (Quianna Wheeler 81’), Ffion Price, Hannah Power ©, Meg Bowen, Rhianne Oakley (Olivia Basham 66’), Seren Watkins (Kerry Walklett 60’), Molly Kehoe, Hollie Smith, Emma Beynon, Eliza Collie

Unused Subs: Siobhan Walsh

Goals: Rhianne Oakley (27’), Hollie Smith (47’), Eliza Collie (49’)

Aberystwyth Town

Margot Farnes, Rebecca Mathias, Elan Jones, Niamh Duggan (Aoife Onraet 86’), Libby Isaac, Ffiona Evans (Lowri James-Evans 79’), Gwenllian Jones (Ffion Roberts 79’), Gwenllian Mason (Ella Thomas 52’), Imi Scourfield, Amy Jenkins ©, Modlen Gwynne

After the game, we caught up with one of today’s goal scorers Rhianne Oakley.

“It was a good game. We trained really well this week and managed to try a few new things that we were able to put in for this weekend’s game. We started off strong and I felt like we worked on the things we did in training well.

“The message at half time was to play how we play. We started well but then we dropped off a little bit, so it was important to make sure that in the second half, we came out and showed what we can do, and that came with another two goals.

“It’s great to get off the mark once again after my injury. As a forward I always want to score, but coming back, it’s important to make sure that I’m back to where I was before the injury and try to help the team; whether that’s just a good performance or with a goal.

“We need to keep playing how we have done so far. We’ve had a good season so far, and each week we’re getting better and proving why we’re top of the league. It’s important to keep playing our way, keep working as a team, and in the end, we’ll be alright.”

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)