Cardiff City defeat capital rivals to advance in the Welsh Cup

Welsh Cup holders Cardiff City advanced into the last 16 of the competition with a 5-0 win over Cardiff Met

Met had caused problems for the City backline, but a lack of clinical edge was their undoing. Mackenzie Olden scored the only goal of the first half, but strikes from Laura Curnock, Lucy Malin, Amy Long and Fiona Barry in the second ensured that the Bluebirds booked their place in the next round.

Cardiff City manager Iain Darbyshire elected to make six changes to the side that defeated Swansea City last weekend. Amongst the names to drop out were Hannah Power and Fiona Barry, while youngsters Holly Jones and Somoraa Fletcher were given starts.

Meanwhile, Cardiff Met boss Jon Nash only made two alterations from the team that suffered a shock defeat against Llanelli Town. Violet Bell and Summer Kilby came into the side at the expense of Verity Jones and Gracie Howard.

Despite being in the Adran South, Met did cause City a few headaches. The Archers managed to work the ball into dangerous areas inside the six-yard box, but a lack of composure in the final third was costing them dear.

The Bluebirds, on the other hand, were allowed the space and freedom to come forward. Mikayla Cook was denied by the outstretched Bell, while Lily Billignham put the ball wide after dribbling through the heart of the Met defence.

But City did eventually take the lead 19 minutes in. Billingham’s low cross into the box found the lurking Mackenzie Olden, who slammed the ball into the bottom corner.

Throughout the rest of the first half, it was the four-time Welsh Cup champions who were on top. However, they only tried shots from distance, and none of them tested Bell in the Met net. Nonetheless, it was the Bluebirds who went into the break ahead.

Two former Adran Premier players in latest Wales squad

The start of the second half followed the same narrative as the first; both sides getting into promising positions but not being able to score. For the Bluebirds, substitute Fiona Barry was denied by the outstretched leg of Bell, while at the other end, Demi Parry’s effort went straight at Ceryn Chamberlain.

The crowd at Cardiff International Sports Campus could certainly sense that the visitors could find a route back into the tie, and on the hour mark, they almost did. The ball was worked out from the left wing to Summer Kilby on the edge of the box, and her thunderous strike looked destined to find the top corner. But instead, the ball crashed against the crossbar.

Without a doubt, that chance woke the reigning champions up and they set off to try and close out the game. Maddison Perrott struck a powerful effort towards goal, but Bell again produced an incredible stop to keep Met in the tie.

Yet, as the clocked ticked over the hour, City went into another gear. Ffion Price’s whipped cross into the box found Laura Curnock, who took a touch before finding the top corner. Nine minutes later and it was three. Bell couldn’t keep hold of Olden’s shot, and that allowed Lucy Malin to fire home the rebound.

Met were in danger of falling apart having more than held their own for the vast majority of the match, and they conceded another two goals five minutes apart. Firstly, the Archers failed to clear their lines from a cross into the box, and that allowed Amy Long to step onto the ball and find the top corner. Then Barry was afforded a lot of space in the box, and she punished Met by firing a delightful volley past Bell.

Jon Nash’s side more than held their own against topflight opposition, but the difference between the two was that one side were able to find that extra level. That is why Cardiff City have won this competition for four consecutive years, and it is they who advance into the last 16.

Both sides will return to league action next weekend. Cardiff City will welcome TNS to Leckwith in the Adran Premier, while Cardiff Met will take on Carmarthen Town away home in the Adran South.

Player of the Match: Lily Billingham

Kerry Walklett, Amy Long and Anna Houghton were others who had good games, but Billingham ran the show in midfield today. A strong runner with the ball but also had a good sense of attacking and defensive awareness. She surely is one of the first names on that City team sheet this season.

Cardiff City

Ceryn Chamberlain (Ffion Saunders 78’), Ffion Price, Meg Bowen, Laura Curnock, Mackenzie Olden (Emilia Ashun 78’), Kerry Walklett, Lily Billingham (Lucy Malin 69’), Mikayla Cook © (Fiona Barry 46’), Amy Long, Holly Jones, Somoraa Fletcher (Maddison Perrott 46’)

Goals: Mackenzie Olden (19’), Laura Curnock (65’), Lucy Malin (74’), Amy Long (77’), Fiona Barry (82’)

Cardiff Met

Violet Bell, Faith Mulenga, Celyn Garton (Menna Churcher 75’), Olivia Jones, Carys Gittins, Olivia Barnes (Millie Pearce 74’), Anna Houghton, Megan Gladwyn (Gracie Howard 59’), Molly Chapman (Scarlett Davies 75’), Summer Kilby, Demi Parry (Esme Kilburn-Thompson 54’)

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)