Adran Premier Report | Barry Town United 0-3 Cardiff City

Cardiff City Women continued their winning start to the Adran Premier campaign with a convincing 3–0 victory over Barry Town United Women at Jenner Park.

First-half goals from Phoebie Poole and Zoe Atkins put the Bluebirds in the ascendancy, before Danielle Broadhurst made sure of the three points with a fantastic strike in the second period.

Head Coach Iain Darbyshire made two changes to the side that secured a brilliant win over Swansea City Ladies last week, with Atkins and Megan Bowen into the starting XI, the latter for her first City start.

The Bluebirds started on the front foot and searched for an early goal, as Hannah Power caught a volley cleanly, but her strike flew over the bar.

As City continued to push forward, Poole shrewdly found space in the box, only for her strike at goal to be saved by goalkeeper Erin Brennan, with her follow-up striking the post.

Darbyshire’s side were rewarded for their bright start, netting the opening goal in the 18th minute, as a fantastic delivery from Ffion Price found Poole, who clinically headed home to give City the lead.

In search of a second goal, the ball came out to midfielder Broadhurst on the edge of the box, who struck a powerful effort just over the bar.

City weren’t to be denied a second goal before the break though, doubling their advantage in the 38th minute. Defender Hollie Smith recycled a corner back out to Price, whose pinpoint delivery was headed into the net by Atkins for her first goal of the campaign.

Shortly before the interval, the Bluebirds went close to a third, as Atkins almost turned from goalscorer to provider, crossing brilliantly for Broadhurst, who turned the ball just wide. After a professional first-half performance, City went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

Much like in the first-half, Darbyshire’s side started the second period on the front foot, as Price fired a free-kick just over the woodwork.

City continued to create chances, with Price’s low cross turned into the side-netting by Atkins, before Bowen’s powerful header towards goal was saved by Brennan.

As the City boss looked to his bench for reinforcements, Danielle Green almost made an instant impact, firing an effort from distance over the woodwork.

In another positive attack involving Green, the wing-back crossed into the area, leading to Lily Billingham and Poole both having goal-bound efforts blocked.

The Bluebirds added a third goal in the 72nd minute through Broadhurst, who struck a fantastic effort into the top corner for her third goal of the season.

In the final proceedings, exciting prospects Eliza Collie and Evie Hughes were introduced to gain valuable minutes for City, whose impressive display saw them claim all three points.

Darbyshire’s side begin their defence of the FAW Women’s Cup next weekend, welcoming Cascade YC Women to Cardiff International Sports Campus on 9 October, 2pm KO

FINAL SCORE: BARRY TOWN UNITED WOMEN 0–3 CARDIFF CITY WOMEN

Barry Town United Women: Brennan, Harris ©, Ebbin, Bennett, Trivett (Marron 74’), Houghton, Olden, Pearce (Lockwood-Jones 74’), Nicholson (Townsend 74’), Mulenga (Fahey-Pennell 46’), Jones (Thomas 54’).

Cardiff City Women: Chamberlain, Bowen, S Walsh ©, Smith, Price (Hughes 80’), Oakley (Green 65’), Power, Billingham (Collie 73’), Broadhurst, Poole (Saunders 73’), Atkins.

Subs not used: Roberts.

After the final whistle, head coach Darbyshire said: “I’m delighted to get another win, another clean sheet and three goals. The way we’ve started the season has been unbelievable.

"We worked really hard in pre-season on a new way of playing and the players have shown a great attitude to adapt to it so well and they’re getting their rewards with the start we’ve had.”

Commenting on the performance of Price, who recorded two superb assists for the Bluebirds, Iain added: “I thought she was brilliant today, as she has been since she joined the Club. Her deliveries from open play and set-pieces cause real problems for teams and we're really happy to have her in our squad.”

Striker Atkins expressed her delight after scoring her first goal of the season, stating: “Especially after our win over Swansea last week, we went into this game feeling confident, but we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. To get a clean sheet and three goals is great for us.

“It’s about time I got my first goal! I’ve come close a few times, but I’m really glad to get my first goal of the season.

"We’ve gone straight into the season really well, picking up four wins now. We’re looking ahead towards the cup next week now.”