Cardiff City stay top of Adran Premeir with victory over Barry Town

Cardiff City made it seven games unbeaten in the Adran Premier after defeating Barry Town 4-2 in Leckwith.

A quiet first half was brought to life by Fiona Barry’s thunderbolt, before two quickfire goals at the start of the second half from Mackenzie Olden and Ffion Price had City in control.

Danielle Broadhurst did pull one back for Barry, but former Linnet Amy Long restored the Bluebirds’ three-goal advantage. Millie Breen found a consolation goal for the visitors, but it’s the champions who took all three points.

The win keeps Cardiff City top of the table, but level on points with Wrexham. Barry Town stay in seventh place.

Cardiff City manager Iain Darbyshire elected to make three changes from the side that hammered Pontypridd United last week. League top scorer Laura Curnock dropped out, along with Scarlett Baker-Perry and Helen Evans, with Lisa Owen, Lily Billingham and Mikayla Cook replacing them.

New Barry Town manager James Fishlock also made three changes from his team’s loss to TNS. Keira Harris, Amelia Herbert and Angharad Beman came in for Grace Corne, Sienna Stone and Ellie Preece.

The Bluebirds found plenty of success early in the half and started to create chances at will. Mackenzie Olden’s flicked header whistled past the post, Kerry Walklett was denied by Molly Arnesen, while the keeper was again on hand to thwart Olden.

Having weathered the City storm, Barry began to play their way into the contest. At times it looked like they were playing six in defence, but Fishlock’s side began to counter effectively. Two chances fell to former Bluebird Danielle Broadhurst, but twice she failed to guide the ball into the back of Grace Olsen’s net.

With the half looking set to end goalless, a moment of magic gave the league holders the lead. Picking up the ball in midfield, Fiona Barry roamed towards goal before firing a powerful shot over Arnesen and into the back of the net. Despite defending resolutely, the Linnets had been outdone by a moment of magic.

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Into the second half and the Bluebirds wasted no time in doubling their advantage. Barry failed to clear their lines from a Cook cross, and that allowed Barry to feed the ball into Olden, who steered her shot into the bottom corner.

Minutes later it was three, as set-piece maestro Ffion Price scored directly from a corner. Another Olimpico to add to Price’s growing collection, as City threatened to run riot in the second half.

City continued to create chances but struggled to add to their tally. Olden put the ball over the bar from three yards out, while Hannah Power’s effort from range went straight into the clutches of Arnesen.

Barry struggled to get out for large swathes of the second half, but they did pull a goal back with eleven minutes remaining. Ellie Preece’s cross into the box found the head of Broadhurst, who nodded home from close range.

The visitors were buoyed by their goal, but with minutes remaining, City wrapped up all three points. A surgical counter was led by Helen Evans, who slipped the ball into the path of Cook. The wing back looked up and found Amy Long, who tapped the ball home.

But Barry weren’t giving up yet and found a second goal seconds later. Preece burst into the box and found Millie Breen, who guided the ball into the bottom corner. Despite trying desperately to salvage something in stoppage time, the clock went against Barry, as City maintained their spot at the top of the table.

Both teams will be in Adran Trophy action next weekend. Cardiff City will host Adran North side Flint Town United, while Barry Town welcome Adran South outfit Cascade to Jenner Park.

Player of the Match: Danielle Broadhurst

A couple of City players shined in victory, but Barry’s Broadhurst was the star for me today. Ran between both boxes so effectively, got stuck in when she needed to, and took her goal well. Didn’t deserve to be on the losing team.

Cardiff City

Grace Olsen, Lisa Owen, Ffion Price (Scarlett Baker-Perry 79’), Hannah Power ©, Nieve Jenkins, Meg Bowen, Fiona Barry (Maddison Perrott 70’), Mackenzie Olden (Laura Curnock 66’), Kerry Walklett (Amy Long 79’), Lily Billingham (Helen Evans 66’), Mikayla Cook

Unused subs: Ffion Saunders, Emilia Ashun

Goals: Fiona Barry (42’), Mackenzie Olden (48’), Ffion Price (50’), Amy Long (86’)

Barry Town

Molly Arnesen, Chelsea Cochrane (Ellie Preece 52’), Danielle Broadhurst, Keira Harris (Beca Thomas 52’), Jasmine Turner, Emily Freeman ©, India Shanahan (Millie Breen 70’), Amelia Herbert, Lucy Attwood, Ellie Gunney, Angharad Beman

Unused subs: Emily Blunt, Evelyn Ingram, Ava Coomer

Goals: Danielle Broadhurst (79’), Millie Breen (87’)

(Featured Image: John Smith/FAW)