Cardiff City win convincingly as player scores on first start after 14-month lay-off

Holders Cardiff City book their spot in the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup with a 4-0 win over Barry Town.

After Fiona Barry put City ahead in the first half with an absolute howitzer, second half strikes from Molly Kehoe, Mackenzie Olden and Laura Curnock eased the Bluebirds into the last four.

They will now face either TNS, Wrexham or Pontypridd United in the last four, the draw for which takes place on Wednesday night.

Cardiff City manager Iain Darbyshire elected to make three changes from the side that defeated Swansea City last time out. Striker Mackenzie Olden made her first senior start since her long term injury, while there were also starts for Amy Long and Seren Thomas. Nieve Jenkins, Laura Curnock and Lily Billingham the ones to miss out.

Barry Town’s Stevie McCarthy-Campbell also made three changes to his team, which lost to Cardiff City in their last game three weeks ago. Mackenzie Ellingham replaced the suspended Molly Arnesen in goal, while two Harris’, Lauren and Keira, replaced Grace Corne and Jasmine Turner.

After a tentative start, the game was brought into life in some style in the eleventh minute. Receiving a ball from Ffion Price, Fiona Barry turned to face goal before executing a sumptuous curling effort which looped over Ellingham and into the back of the net. Another outstanding piece of brilliance from the youngster.

In terms of action in front of goal, that was really the only moment City could get excited about in a first half where things looked like they weren’t quite clicking. Meg Bowen headed wide from a Ffion Price free kick, while Olden flashed the ball wide from a tight angle.

Despite being behind, there was always a sense that Barry could find their way back into the game, especially with their front line pressing high. Before the break, they had an excellent chance to equalise. Amelia Herbert’s cross evaded countless bodies in the area, before the ball found an unmarked Keira Harris at the back stick, but somehow, the forward couldn’t fire the ball home.

An odd first half for sure, but one where City found themselves ahead.

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Whatever manager Darbyshire said at half time seemed to work, as City came out with far more attacking intent in the second half. Almost instantly, Shannon Evans thought she found a second from a corner, but the ball was cleared off the line expertly by a Barry defender.

But, as the clock ticked over the hour mark, the yellow wall began to crumble. After Olden jinked her way past Lauren Harris brilliantly on the edge of the box, she lay the ball into the path of Molly Kehoe, and with a bit of aid from the inside of the post, found the back of the net superbly.

Then a moment for Olden to savour. Ffion Price saw her powerful free kick fumbled by Ellingham, but there to put the ball in on the rebound was the striker. Her teammates and the crowd knew exactly how big that goal was, and there was clear delight at the fact Olden was back in the goals after her ACL injury.

The Bluebirds continued to dominate the second half, and almost added a fourth to their tally through Eliza Collie, but she was to be denied by the post. Yet, eight minutes from time, the fourth did come. Price’s cross from the left found its way to Laura Curnock, who drilled the ball into the far corner with ease.

A blistering second half performance from the cup holders, who book their place in yet another semi-final.

Both sides will end their phase one Adran Premier campaigns next weekend. Cardiff City will host Aberystwyth Town, while Barry Town make the trip west to face Briton Ferry.

Player of the Match: Mackenzie Olden

Football is about moments, and Olden had her big moment today. Not only did she score, not only did she assist, but she was everywhere in that forward line. She dragged City up the pitch, and it was just a joy to see her back doing what she does best.

Cardiff City

Ceryn Chamberlain, Lisa Owen ©, Ffion Price, Meg Bowen, Fiona Barry (Laura Curnock 72’), Mackenzie Olden (Nieve Jenkins 84’), Kerry Walklett, Shannon Evans, Molly Kehoe (Lily Billingham 72’), Amy Long, Seren Thomas (Eliza Collie 46’)

Unused subs: Anna Phelps

Goals: Fiona Barry (11’), Molly Kehoe (64’), Mackenzie Olden (69’), Laura Curnock (83’)

Yellows: Kerry Walklett (89’)

Barry Town

Mackenzie Ellingham, Lauren Harris (Ellie Gunney 72’), Holly Jenkins, Erin Murray, Danielle Broadhurst (Chloe Tiley 85’), Keira Harris, Emily Freeman ©, Sienna Stone (Grace Corne 76’), Ingrid Ådland, Amelia Herbert, Angharad Beman

Unused subs: Jasmine Turner, Lucy Attwood

Yellows: Lauren Harris (14’), Danielle Broadhurst (68’)

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell/FAW)