Cardiff City clinch third straight Adran Premier title

Cardiff City have been crowned Adran Premier champions for the third season in a row, after they defeated TNS 3-1.

After a goalless first half, City were brought to life in the second half with two quickfire goals courtesy of Eliza Collie and Mackenzie Olden.

Chantelle Teare did pull one back for TNS with ten minutes remaining, but a magnificent solo goal from Fiona Barry sealed the three points and the title for City in the dying embers of the game.

These two met last weekend at Park Hall, and both elected to make three changes to their starting elevens.

For Iain Darbyshire’s Bluebirds, there were recalls for Nieve Jenkins, Molly Kehoe, and Eliza Collie, with Laura Curnock, Fiona Barry, and Seren Thomas making way.

For Shauna Duffy’s Saints, goalkeeper Meg Bowen, Lexi Jones, and Caitlin Chapman made way for Mackenzie Haydn-Jones, Matilda Edge, and Molly Havard.

After a tentative opening, the first half was brought to life in bizarre fashion ten minutes in. A rather innocent clash between Mia Davies and Mackenzie Olden led to the referee awarding a penalty to the Bluebirds; a decision that left many in the ground bewildered.

Up stepped Ffion Price, but she was denied expertly by Haydn-Jones, who palmed the ball away from danger. It certainly felt like justice had prevailed.

From then on, the Saints began to find their groove. Grace Dunkerley down the wing in particular was someone who has finding plenty of success, and her crosses into the box were dangerous, but no one in green and white was able to turn the ball home.

However, it was from a TNS cross that the best chance came about. Molly Havard found space before sending an inviting delivery into the box, and while Chantelle Teare extended her leg far enough to make contact, she was unable to find the back of the net. Seconds later, Helen Evans unleashed a vicious shot over the bar.

It felt like TNS would go on to open the scoring, but that was to be the last notable moment of the half. Neither side could establish their dominance on one another, with patterns of play failing to form. At the break, someone needed to provide a spark from somewhere.

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That spark came almost immediately in the second half for the champions elect, as they broke the deadlock two minutes into the second period. After Kehoe drove through the TNS midfield, she found the run of Collie, who fired in at the near post. Advantage Bluebirds.

And just four short minutes later, there was palpable relief around Leckwith, as the hosts found a second goal. As the Saints defence fell asleep, Mackenzie Olden was wide awake, and she nicked the ball away from danger, before running through and slamming the ball past Haydn-Jones.

The onus was now on Duffy’s side to try and swing the pendulum their way, but time after time, they couldn’t lay a glove on City. Shots from distance became the norm, and under the sweltering South Wales sun, time was starting to become their enemy.

But with ten minutes remaining, a lifeline for the Saints. Caitlin Chapman’s corner found the head of Mia Davies, who gave Ceryn Chamberlain no chance of keeping the ball out. Could they spoil City’s day?

The answer to that would be no, as with four minutes remaining, the Bluebirds wrapped up the game and the title. Barry picked up the ball from midfield, beat defender after defender, before finding the far corner. It’s a goal Lionel Messi himself would be proud of.

And in a way, it was the kind of goal that deserved to win a league title, and that’s exactly what Iain Darbyshire’s team did. Three in a row for the Bluebirds, and this one might be the most impressive.

Next weekend sees Cardiff City travel north to face Wrexham, while TNS will be back in South Wales again, this time facing Briton Ferry.

Player of the Match: Molly Kehoe

This was certainly a game for the football purists, and it was difficult to get a foot in it at times, but Kehoe did incredibly well. What made the difference, especially in the second half, were her driving runs from deep, and she really dragged City up field in the second period.

Cardiff City

Ceryn Chamberlain, Ffion Price (Scarlett Baker-Perry 90’), Nieve Jenkins, Meg Bowen, Mackenzie Olden (Fiona Barry 71’), Kerry Walklett ©, Shannon Evans, Molly Kehoe, Lily Billingham, Amy Long (Grace Evans 80’), Elize Collie (Laura Curnock 71’)

Unused subs: Grace Olsen

Goals: Eliza Collie (47’), Mackenzie Olden (51’), Fiona Barry (87’)

Yellows: Kerry Walklett (90’)

TNS

Mackenzie Haydn-Jones, Maria Francis-Jones (Soffia Jones 88’), Grace Dunkerley, Mia Davies, Tiggy Webb, Kayleigh Baker, Chantelle Teare, Helen Evans, Matilda Edge (Lexi Jones 46’), Lia Lewis ©, Molly Havard (Caitlin Chapman 71’)

Unused subs: Meg Bowen, Sophie Phillips

Goals: Chantelle Teare (80’)

Yellows: Mia Davies (11’)

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)