Cardiff City dismantle Briton Ferry to pick up first Adran Premier win

Cardiff City celebrated their first win of the Adran Premier season after they defeated Briton Ferry 5-1.

The Bluebirds routed Ferry in the first half, scoring four goals in just 20 minutes. Mackenzie Olden, Hollie Smith, Mikayla Cook and Lily Billingham, all found themselves on the scoresheet. The second half was quieter, but substitute Kerry Walklett came on to add the fifth.

Ferry did find a consolation through Anya Grunewald, and right before full time, City’s Fiona Barry was sent off.

Cardiff City manager Iain Darbyshire elected to make two changes from the side that lost to TNS last week. Meg Bowen and Hollie Smith were brought back into the eleven, with Nieve Jenkins and Maddison Perrott making way.

Meanwhile, Briton Ferry manager Rhys Thomas made four changes from the team that were defeated by Wrexham. Alice Broadley, Lowri Ridings, Anya Welch and Ashley Griffiths were all replaced by Brooke Llewellyn, Grace Evans, Casey Daniels and Georgia Howells.

From the off the Bluebirds looked to put last week’s defeat right, and just eleven minutes in, they found their first goal of the season. Lily Billingham’s low cross in from the left found an unmarked Mackenzie Olden in the box, who swept home with ease.

Six minutes later and the City lead was doubled. Fiona Barry’s inviting corner met the head of Hollie Smith, who nodded powerfully past Courtney Young. This was Smith’s first start since January after a torrid time with injury, and so a goal on her return was the perfect way to mark her comeback.

The day went from bad to worse for Ferry only seven minutes after the second goal, as Darbyshire’s side found a third. Hannah Power slid the ball expertly into the path of Mikayla Cook, and she beat Young at her near post with a sumptuous strike.

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City only had one thing on their mind, and that was score. Twice Helen Evans went close, while Young was on hand to make two smart saves from Olden and Barry. But the league champions did manage to add a fourth before the break. Ferry failed to clear a corner, and that allowed Billingham to turn and fire into the bottom corner. Four up at the break, and it could have been more for the Bluebirds.

It had been such a positive first half for City, but the second 45 started on a sour note as Smith was forced off early with injury, but that didn’t deter the hosts from trying to score more goals. Barry’s dipping effort cleared the crossbar, while Young was again on hand to thwart Evans and then Cook.

However, with twenty minutes remaining, the champions found their fifth of the afternoon. Cook made great progress down the right wing, and her inviting cross was met by substitute Kerry Walklett, who guided the ball into the back of the net.

Despite a strong performance, Ferry did put a blot on City’s otherwise perfect day. Anya Grunewald bagged her first goal for the club by heading in from Meg Kearle’s free kick, and minutes later, they had a player advantage; Fiona Barry given a straight red for a rash challenge on Alice Broadley.

The goal and the red card did rally Ferry to an extent, but they were unable to add more goals to their tally, as the champions picked up their first win of the season.

Next up for Cardiff City is a trip to Jenner Park to face Barry Town United, while Briton Ferry are on the road again, this time to face Pontypridd United.

Player of the Match: Lily Billingham

So many in blue stood out today, but Billingham was the best of the lot. Starting out as a midfielder, the youngster drifted out wide to the right and the left, and that gave City a different element going forward. Her goal was incredibly well taken too.

Cardiff City

Ceryn Chamberlain, Lisa Owen, Hannah Power ©, Meg Bowen, Fiona Barry, Mackenzie Olden (Laura Curnock 60’), Shannon Evans (Nieve Jenkins 60’), Hollie Smith (Scarlett Baker-Perry 49’), Lily Billingham, Mikayla Cook (Maddison Perrott 74’), Helen Evans (Kerry Walklett 60’)

Unused subs: Grace Olsen, Seren Thomas

Goals: Mackenzie Olden (11’), Hollie Smith (17’), Mikayla Cook (24’), Lily Billingham (33’), Kerry Walklett (70’)

Yellows: Lily Billingham (87’)

Reds: Fiona Barry (80’)

Briton Ferry

Courtney Young, Brooke Llewellyn, Grace Evans (Alice Broadley 46’), Lucy Powell ©, Ela Roberts (Ashley Griffiths 77’), Meg Kearle, Maia Owen, Olivia Kett-White, Casey Daniels (Manon Thomas 46’), Jade Crofts, Georgia Howells (Anya Grunewald 54’)

Unused subs: Lowri Ridings, Charlotte Merry, Megan Copeland

Goals: Anya Grunewald (79’)

Yellows: Georgia Howells (14’)

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)