Cardiff City 1-0 Swansea City: Bluebirds stay top of Adran Premier with derby day win

Cardiff City stayed top of the Adran Premier, as they defeated Swansea City 1-0 in the South Wales Derby.

In a game where chances were very much at a premium, Lily Billingham’s goal ten minutes into the second half was enough for the Bluebirds.

The result means Cardiff City have a six-point gap at the top, while Swansea City stay in fourth.

Cardiff City manager Iain Darbyshire made only one change from their victory away at TNS last week, with Molly Kehoe replacing Mikayla Cook. In the buildup to this game, the Bluebirds were struck with a double injury blow, as the afore mentioned Cook, along with Hollie Smith, were ruled out for the rest of the season.

Swansea City manager, Jamie Sherwood, elected to make three changes from the team that beat Aberystwyth Town. Chloe Chivers, Stacey John-Davis, and Aimee Deacon returned to the starting eleven, with Sammy Wynne, Emily Richards, and Caitlin Williams the ones to miss out.

The Swans have been hampered by injuries throughout the season, but it was two of their returning stars who almost broke the deadlock after two minutes. Aimee Deacon’s low cross into the box was met by Stacey John-Davis, but she sliced her attempt over the bar.

Then it was the Bluebirds’ turn to try and create opportunities. Laura Curnock failed to keep down her volley in the area, Molly Kehoe couldn’t find the target, while Meg Bowen couldn’t convert after Ffion Price found her with a searching free kick.

The best opportunity of the half fell to Lily Billingham after she was released into some space in the box, but one-on-one with Charlie Haynes, the midfielder couldn’t test her, with the ball ending up wide of the mark.

A first half with no real incident, but one where both teams knew they needed to do more in the second half.

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You did feel like, if someone was going to score, it was going to happen at an unexpected moment, and for Cardiff, it came ten minutes into the second half.

Lisa Owen’s pinpoint ball through found the run of Billingham. Swansea’s players stopped, expecting the offside flag to go up. When that flag wasn’t forthcoming, they were out of place. Billingham marched into the area and found the far corner to put the leaders in front.

Swansea attempted to push forward after going behind but struggled to break down the blue wall in front of them. Their best chance to score was going to be from distance, and Chloe Chivers thought she found the equaliser midway through the half, but Ceryn Chamberlain got down tremendously to deny her.

Both of these rivals from minute one set themselves up not to lose, knowing what a defeat could do for their seasons. Therefore, when it was Cardiff who scored, they reverted to a back five, making it near impossible for Swansea to break them down.

Despite a late wave of pressure, Sherwood’s side simply couldn’t find a way through their South Wales rivals, and it was Cardiff City who took the bragging rights.

Cardiff City’s next game will be in two weeks, as they take on Barry Town in the quarter-finals of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup. Swansea City will be in action on Wednesday, as they play Briton Ferry in the Adran Premier

Player of the Match: Lisa Owen

A real captain’s performance from Owen today. She was patient, but she read the game so well, and was able to push up when required and play crucial balls into her attackers. She also wasn’t afraid to put tackles in. In many ways, a vintage derby display.

Cardiff City

Ceryn Chamberlain, Lisa Owen ©, Ffion Price, Nieve Jenkins, Meg Bowen, Laura Curnock (Mackenzie Olden 75’), Fiona Barry, Kerry Walklett (Amy Long 70’), Shannon Evans, Molly Kehoe, Lily Billingham (Eliza Collie 87’)

Unused subs: Anna Phelps, Grace Evans

Goals: Lily Billingham (55’)

Yellows: Shannon Evans (42’)

Swansea City

Charlie Haynes, Lauren Davies, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Robyn Pinder, Chloe Chivers (Katy Hosford 77’), Stacey John-Davis ©, Maddy Murray, Aimee Deacon, Emily Thomas, Jess Williams, Nia Jones

Unused subs: Sammy Wynne, Emily Richards, Taite Trivett, Caitlin Williams

After the game, we spoke to Cardiff City skipper, Lisa Owen.

“We’re buzzing after that game. The result is definitely one that we wanted, and everyone gave everything in order to get over the line. We had to keep building throughout the game. Swansea are an organised team who switch the ball well, and it was about us trying to find those gaps to cause them problems.

“This season I’ve definitely improved a lot from where I was after coming back from having a baby. All I want to do is push myself to be better for her at the end of the day, and I’ll do anything for the girls in this team.

“It’s unreal to be able to be captain for a derby win. I’m very fortunate and lucky enough to be captain of such a talented team. We still have a long way to go, but all we can do is take things game by game and keep getting the points on the board.”

(Featured Images: Ashley Crowden/FAW)