Cardiff City retained the Adran Premier in style, as they dismantled arch-rivals Swansea City 4-0.
A brace for Rhianne Oakley coupled with goals for fellow forwards Eliza Collie and Molly Kehoe sealed an emphatic and well-deserved win for the Bluebirds, who have won the title for the second season in a row.
Cardiff City manager Iain Darbyshire elected to make five changes from their victory over Aberystwyth Town on Sunday. Anna Phelps, Lisa Owen, Meg Bowen, Kerry Walklett, and Kelly Adams were all replaced by Ceryn Chamberlain, Ffion Price, Siobhan Walsh, Seren Watkins, and Emma Beynon.
For Swansea City interim manager, Chris Church, it was a more straightforward lineup, as he only made one change from the win over Wrexham. Chloe Chivers came back into the eleven in place of Steph Turner.
As soon as the first half kicked off there was an intensity to Cardiff. Every player in a blue shirt knew their responsibility and knew what was required of them, and you got the sense the crowd knew their role too.
Not giving Swansea players a moment’s rest, City swarmed inside the Swansea half, forcing experienced players into errors. And it wasn’t long before one of those errors resulted in the first goal. Molly Kehoe danced around defenders into the box, and while her shot was punched away by Chelsea Herbert, it went straight to Eliza Collie. The league’s top scorer showed great composure and patience with players around her, before calmly slotting the ball home.
After being dominated for the opening quarter, Swansea began to show signs of life. Mainly finding success down the wing, crosses seemed to be their main source of enjoyment. One cross in particular caused confusion. Katy Hosford nodded the ball back across the box to Emily Thomas, but in the six-yard box, she couldn’t get away her shot. The Bluebirds cleared, and how!
Straight up the other end of the field, and Monet Legall looked to shield the ball out of play for a goal kick. But the makeshift full back took a too long, and the ball was quickly nabbed away by Rhianne Oakley. The former Swan raced up the byline unchallenged and managed to sneak the ball in at the near post. Tremendous perseverance from Oakley, and now Cardiff were in striking distance of the title.
It could have been more for the leaders before the break. Siobhan Walsh failed to head home unmarked from a couple yards out, while Swansea cleared a Ffion Price corner off the line. Halfway through, and Cardiff were more than good value for their lead.
It was clear to see that Swansea came out with the grit between their teeth at the start of the second period, knowing they had to do something to keep up any chance of regaining the league. Robyn Pinder’s cross turned shot was tipped onto the crossbar heroically by Ceryn Chamberlain, but it was certainly the start Chris Church was looking for.
But that start was to be undone quickly. Once again, Swansea lost the ball cheaply in the middle of the park, this time to Collie. She played a perfectly timed ball into Oakley, who managed to beat the offside trap. One-on-one with substitute keeper Claire Skinner, Oakley managed to find the bottom corner with ease. The champagne now was certainly on ice.
It was certainly champagne football on the pitch too from Cardiff, as they quickly found a fourth. Kehoe raced through to collect Emma Beynon’s pass through, and with just Skinner to beat, the striker chipped the ball expertly into the net. Pure class from Cardiff, for Swansea, it was now about damage limitations.
A host of chances followed for the Bluebirds. Within minutes of each other, Walsh saw her header saved by the diving Skinner, while Hollie Smith’s clever volley trickled past the post.
Swansea didn’t give up and still harboured hopes of getting a goal at the very least. Robyn Pinder’s cross dropped onto the head of Thomas, but she could only strike the post from inside the box.
With the rain becoming torrential, perhaps Cardiff took their foot off the gas a little, finally stopping their persistent waves of pressure. The job had been done for a long time prior, and now the celebrations could begin.
Both of these teams will next be in action on Sunday, where they will once again play each other. This time, the fixture will take place in Llandarcy.
Player of the Match: Mikayla Cook
I could have picked anyone in a blue shirt tonight but Cook gets the nod for player of the match. Up against Ellie Lake, who has been solid all season, the flying wing-back showed no remorse and attacked at will. The way she could skip past players and create space is very special, and she has had a stellar season.
Cardiff City
Ceryn Chamberlain, Ffion Price, Hannah Power, Siobhan Walsh ©, Rhianne Oakley (Kelly Adams 63’), Seren Watkins, Molly Kehoe (Kerry Walklett 76’), Hollie Smith (Meg Bowen 77’), Mikayla Cook (Lisa Owen 71’), Emma Beynon, Eliza Collie
Unused subs: Anna Phelps
Goals: Eliza Collie (16’), Rhianne Oakley (29’, 57’), Molly Kehoe (62’)
Swansea City
Chelsea Herbert (Claire Skinner 46’), Ellie Lake, Rachel Cullen, Robyn Pinder (Kelsey Thomas 82’), Chloe Chivers, Katy Hosford ©, Sammy Wynne (Imogen Harris 82’), Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Monet Legall (Rhian Williams 46’), Emily Thomas (Jasmine Guymer 90’), Jessica Williams
Yellows: Chloe Chivers (14’), Sophie Brisland-Hancocks (58’)
(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)
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