A brace from Ffion Price helped Cardiff City come from behind to beat Cardiff Met 3-1 in the Adran Premier.
India Shanahan shocked the champions by scoring a screamer just seven minutes in, but City drew level just before half time through Fiona Barry’s header.
But the second half belonged to the Bluebirds and to Ffion Price. A penalty coupled with a stunning free kick allowed City to cost to victory and make it two wins from two.
The result lifts City up to third in the table, while Met sit in sixth.
Iain Darbyshire elected to make two changes from the side that defeated Wrexham last weekend. Fiona Barry and Grace Evans came in for Molly Kehoe and Hollie Smith.
Interim Met manager Chris Baker made three changes from their defeat to Swansea City. Among the names to come into the lineup was new signing Cerys Pinchard, who also took the captain’s armband.
Despite keeping possession of the ball for the opening stages, City found themselves behind inside seven minutes. Former Barry Town forward India Shanahan picked the ball up from distance and spotted Ceryn Chamberlain off her line, before curling a sumptuous effort into the top corner. Leckwith was stunned.
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The Bluebirds did look quick in transition and tried to catch the Archers on the counter, but at the back, it was a different story. Uncharacteristic loose passes were beginning to cost them, and Shanahan almost doubled from a defensive error, but she couldn’t find the back of the net.
A reprieve for the champions, who set off to try and restore parity, and quickly. Instantly, Ffion Price’s corner caused havoc in the box, with legs in blue swinging at the ball. But somehow, Met cleared and held on to their advantage.
Half chances followed, but Lily Billingham came the closest of the lot, as she burst into space in the box, but fired over. The midfielder had her head in her hands, she knew that was an opportunity.
But those hands would be aloft in celebration a minute before the break, as City found their equaliser. Lisa Owen’s whipped cross found Fiona Barry at the far post, who nodded home her first goal of the season. City ending the half level, but Met had caused them plenty of problems.
Baker would have been delighted with his team’s first half performance, but that delight would turn to frustration minutes into the second half, as they conceded a penalty. Owen raced into the box, but was brought down cynically by Samantha Dziminowicz. Up stepped Price, who slammed into the bottom corner.
Price wasn’t done there, as ten minutes later, she would add a magical third from a free kick. In almost the exact same position as it was against Wrexham, Price found the top corner once again, proving she is the league’s premier dead ball specialist.
That third goal seemed to be the final nail in Met’s coffin, as they couldn’t find a way back in the game. Instead, it was City who could have added more, but Collie was denied by the post, while Molly Kehoe saw her shot fly over the ball after a dazzling run.
But those chances mattered not in the end, as City sailed to a comfortable win after a nervy start.
Up next for City is a mouth-watering clash at home against TNS, while Met are on the road once again, this time facing Briton Ferry.
Player of the Match: Ffion Price
Once again, Ffion Price was the difference today. In the first half, she was busy, often vacating her wing back spot to play in midfield to balance the team, but in the second, we saw the qualities that made her a back-to-back Adran Premier Player of the Season. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better performance than hers this weekend.
Cardiff City
Ceryn Chamberlain, Lisa Owen, Ffion Price, Meg Bowen ©, Laura Curnock (Moly Kehoe 57’), Fiona Barry (Georgina Bull 90’), Kerry Walklett, Shannon Evans (Holly Jones 90’), Lily Billingham, Grace Evans (Nieve Jenkins 80’), Eliza Collie
Unused subs: Anna Phelps
Goals: Fiona Barry (44’), Ffion Price (51’ p, 61’)
Cardiff Met
Number 23, Sally Grimm, Cerys Pinchard ©, Sophie Davidson (Number 12 76’), Samantha Dziminowicz, Niamh Duggan, India Shanahan (Number 16 76’), Emily Bayliss (Sophie Topper 57’), Gwenllian Jones (Molly Chapman 56’), Chelsea Cochrane, Faith Mulenga
Unused subs: Charlotte Smith
Goals: India Shanahan (7’)
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