Match Report: Cardiff City FC Women 1-2 Cardiff Met Women
Cardiff City FC Women narrowly lost to Cardiff Met Women despite a battling display at Cardiff International Sports Stadium in the Welsh Premier Women’s League on Sunday afternoon.
Joel Hutton made one change to the side that defeated Rhyl last time out, as Mollie Jones entered the starting XI.
The visitors broke the deadlock through Stephanie Turner inside the opening five minutes, although City levelled midway through the first period as Zoe Atkins struck home. However, with 15 minutes of the 90 remaining Robyn Pinder scored what proved to be the winner for the Archers.
Cardiff Met got off to a swift start and five minutes in, Naomi Clipston’s corner led to Turner finishing into the roof of the net from close range. However, the Bluebirds responded strongly and became dominant in attack as they hunted for an equaliser.
After 11 minutes, Emily Griffiths’ dangerous long throw found the feet of Kanisha-Mae Underdown on the edge of the six-yard box and with her back turned to goal, the midfielder struck the side netting. One minute later, Alana Murphy fired an effort on target from the edge of the area, but 'keeper Charlotte Smith saved. With a further two minutes past, Underdown’s powerful corner found Catherine Walsh at the back post and the forward headed wide.
Next, Atkins came close to scoring her third goal in four appearances, as she shot over first-time from Griffiths’ cross after 19 minutes. However, the striker made no mistake in finishing nine minutes later, getting on the end of Danielle Broadhurst’s through-ball.
The remainder of the first half saw both teams have one more opportunity each. Pinder skied from within the box for the visitors, prior to Broadhurst seeing her effort from range saved by Smith.
After the interval, City came out determined and crafted a trio of chances within three minutes in their quest to take advantage. The 53rd minute saw captain Siobhan Walsh smash an effort on target that was cleared off the line, before Broadhurst volleyed over from the area’s edge and Catherine Walsh’s low drive from distance was gathered by Smith.
Seven minutes later, Clipston curled wide for the Archers from just inside the box, prior to Madison Schupbach being sent through on goal and denied by the offside flag. However, after 75 minutes, Pinder regained her side’s lead by finding the top, left corner from the right of the area.
As full-time approached, the Bluebirds were awarded a free-kick just outside the box and Underdown stepped up, before lofting the ball over the wall and it dipped on target, prior to Smith leaping to comfortably gather. That proved to be the final opportunity of the match and the visitors took three points, as City dropped to fourth place, level on points with third place Swansea City.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY FC WOMEN 1-2 CARDIFF MET WOMEN
Cardiff City FC Women: Skinner, Owen, Griffiths, Daley, S. Walsh, Jones (Legall 85’), Broadhurst, Underdown, Murphy, Atkins (Green 66’), C. Walsh. Subs not used: Connolly, Chamberlain, Gibbs.
Cardiff Met Women: Smith, Finch, Richardson, Turner, Mathias (Llewellyn 74’), Westhoff (Tiley 76’), Ayling (Dagnall 89’), Walker-Smith, Clipston, Schupbach, Pinder. Subs not used: Rees.
