Cardiff City fought back from a goal down to beat The New Saints 3-1 and reach the final of the Adran Trophy for a second consecutive season.
Caitlin Chapman had put the visitors ahead before the hour mark and they were good value for their lead, but goals from Manon Pearce, Siobhan Walsh, and Phoebie Poole sealed a dramatic comeback for the Bluebirds.
They will now face fellow capital side Cardiff Met in the final of the Adran Trophy next month, with it due to take place on Sunday, March 12, with the venue yet to be confirmed.
From the kick-off, you could sense the importance of the game. Both sides wanting to attack, but also fighting for every second ball.
The best chance of the half fell in the eighth minute. TNS dithered on the ball a bit too long, allowing Rhianne Oakley to rob the ball. She squared it to Phoebie Poole, but the forward could only hit the post.
From then on, the majority of the game was played in the midfield. It was a hard fought battle, epitomised by an altercation between Seren Watkins and Chantelle Teare. Watkins was eventually subbed off in the first half, Iain Derbyshire fearful of a looming red card.
Danielle Staley had the best chance for the visitors, but her effort looped over the bar, and both sides went into the half level.
Like the first, the second half started evenly, and it was becoming apparent the game needed a moment of brilliance.
Step forward Caitlin Chapman. Capitalising on a loose pass, Chapman’s cross turned shot looped over Ceryn Chamberlain. Cue wild scenes in the Saints dugout.
Cardiff needed a reaction after the goal and they were granted a glorious opportunity to score from the spot, Danielle Green bought down by Tia Lockley. But uncharacteristically, Poole could only drag her effort wide. TNS were hanging on!
That was until 20 minutes from time. A City free kick was only cleared to the edge of the box, allowing Manon Pearce, making her home debut, to loop a volley over Sarah Parkes. Parity was restored.
The Bluebirds wasted no time in their quest to find a goal, and ten minutes later they were ahead.
Set piece maestro Ffion Price delivered a sumptuous ball to the far post, and there was Siobhan Walsh to power a header in.
Two minutes later they had a third. Poole wasn’t going to be denied any longer, as she spotted Parkes off her line and chipped her from 35 yards out.
For the first time in the match, Cardiff could relax, but they were certainly given a fright and made to work for it by a well-drilled TNS side, but City’s treble dreams roll on.
Both sides return to action in two weeks’ time to begin phase two. City travel to Swansea, while TNS will host Cardiff Met.
Player of the Match: Lily Billingham
The youngster shined this afternoon. Especially after Seren Watkins was substituted, she took the midfield battle into her own hands. She was tackling, making runs into the final third, intercepting passes, and undoubtedly a big factor in why City won this game.
Cardiff City
Ceryn Chamberlain (GK), Ffion Price, Hannah Power, Siobhan Walsh ©, Rhianne Oakley (Zoe Atkins, 56’), Seren Watkins (Manon Pearce, 36’), Danielle Broadhurst, Danielle Green (Mikayla Cook, 84’), Phoebie Poole (Catherine Walsh, 84’), Meg Bowen (Hollie Smith, 84’), Lily Billingham
Goals: Manon Pearce (71’), Siobhan Walsh (81’), Phoebie Poole (83’)
Yellow Cards: Seren Watkins (30’), Meg Bowen (57’), Danielle Broadhurst (90’)
TNS
Sarah Parkes (GK), Danielle Staley, Chantelle Teare, Lucie Platt, Caitlin Chapman, Helen Evans (Nicole Samson, 73’), Georgie Gresham, Isobel Redding, Lia Lewis ©, Emily Ridge (Courtney Ashworth, 87’), Evie Williams (Tia Lockley, 19’)
Unused Subs: Libby Rubin (GK), Olivia Rothe
Goals: Caitlin Chapman (56’)
Yellow Cards: Chantelle Teare (30’), Tia Lockley (68’)
After the full-time whistle, Danielle Green gave her assessment on the match.
“We made it hard for ourselves,” Danielle began. “We were thinking it wasn’t going to be our day but we got the result in the end.
“This season we’ve been strong, even when we’ve conceded goals and we’ve been good when we’ve come back.
“In previous seasons I don’t think we would have come back, our mentality is so much better as a team and that’s been building over the last few seasons, and we are the best we can be now.”
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