Swansea City 1-0 Cardiff City: Swans turn South Wales black and white with Adran Premier triumph

Stacey John-Davis scored the only goal of the game as Swansea City claimed South Wales bragging rights with a 1-0 win over Cardiff City in the Adran Premier.

In what was at times a petulant and ill-tempered affair, John-Davis capitalised on a defensive mix-up early in the second half to maintain Swansea’s unbeaten start to the season and beat their bitter rivals in the process.

The win moves Swansea City up to second in the Adran Premier, with Cardiff City dropping down to third.

Swansea City manager Jamie Sherwood elected to make two changes from the side that won away to Wrexham last time out. Claire Skinner returned in goal in place of Opal Rauner, while Steph Turner was drafted in for Danielle Broadhurst.

As far as Cardiff City were concerned, Iain Darbyshire made the one change from their win over TNS. That came up front, with Laura Curnock replacing Eliza Collie.

Whenever the whites of Swansea and the blues of Cardiff do battle, it does resemble two chess grandmasters facing off against each other. Two sides who have mastered their craft and were just waiting on one another to make an uncharacteristic error.

That error was not forthcoming for the first quarter of the game, with the only notable act being committed by Stacey John-Davis, who put in a trademark derby tackle on Shannon Evans.

It was another rough tackle that caused more uproar from the Cardiff dugout, as Robyn Pinder put in a high looking challenge on Meg Bowen; the Bluebirds captain lucky to come away unscathed.

As far as chances were concerned, the best one fell to Ffion Price, as her cross turned shot was parried away well by Skinner, but at the break, it remained goalless.

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Swansea came out the brighter of the two at the start of the second period. Katy Hosford jinked her way into the box before squaring the ball over to John-Davis, but Evans came back and put in a tremendous block to deny the forward.

There seemed to be a nervousness to Cardiff defensively, and that nervousness led to Swansea scoring the opening goal before the hour mark. John-Davis used her trademark pace to intercept a loose pass, before composing herself and powering home. Cue euphoria around the Swansea.com Stadium.

With a goal advantage, Swansea’s tails were up, and they almost found a crucial second as Jess Williams stabbed the ball towards goal after a bit of pinball in the box, but she could only see the ball trickle agonisingly past the post.

As far as the Bluebirds were concerned, they couldn’t muster up anything in the attacking third. Slack passing and poor communication proved costly time and time again, as the clock began to become their enemy deep into the second half.

That bluntness would cost them, as Swansea picked up the first South Wales derby triumph of the season.

Next up for Swansea City is a home game against TNS, while Cardiff City welcome red-hot Briton Ferry to Leckwith.

Player of the Match: Rachel Cullen

Cullen may not be a player who grabs all the headlines, but what she is, is a crucial cog in this system. Wherever it felt like Swansea were being overrun, Cullen would be placed there to bring a level of calm to the situation, and it takes a player with great ability to be able to do that role seamlessly.  

Swansea City

Claire Skinner, Lucy Finch, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Steph Turner, Rachel Cullen, Robyn Pinder, Katy Hosford ©, Stacey John-Davis (Aimee Deacon 90’), Emily Thomas (Chloe Chivers 61’), Jess Williams, Nia Jones

Unused subs: Sammy Wynne, Danielle Broadhurst, Taite Trivett

Goals: Stacey John-Davis (56’)

Yellows: Stacey John-Davis (9’), Robyn Pinder (38’)

Cardiff City

Ceryn Chamberlain, Lisa Owen, Ffion Price, Nieve Jenkins, Meg Bowen ©, Laura Curnock (Mikayla Cook 61’), Fiona Barry, Kerry Walklett (Eliza Collie 75’), Shannon Evans, Molly Kehoe, Lily Billingham

Unused subs: Anna Phelps, Georgina Bull, Grace Evans

Yellows: Nieve Jenkins (75’), Lily Billingham (88’), Mikayla Cook (90′)

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell/FAW)