Adran Premier Report | Cardiff City 0-2 Swansea City
Cardiff City Women’s 693-day unbeaten run was ended by Swansea City at Cardiff International Sports Campus.
Goals from Chloe Chivers and Katy Hosford saw the visitors claim all three points.
Head coach Iain Darbyshire made three changes to the side that defeated Barry Town United last time out, with Lisa Owen, Kerry Walklett and Tija Richardson coming into the starting XI.
The visitors started well and went close to taking an early lead, as winger Chivers’ effort was tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Ceryn Chamberlain. The Swans were then reduced to shots from distance, as Lucy Finch and Chivers both fired towards goal, but Chamberlain was on-hand to make two comfortable saves.
With 27 minutes on the clock, Chris Church’s side went close, as striker Stacey John-Davis headed over from a corner. The visitors found a breakthrough in the 40th minute, with Chivers netting from distance, sending her side into the interval with a 1-0 lead.
City looked to level in the second half, as wing-back Ffion Price delivered a dangerous ball into the area, but evaded everyone in blue. Darbyshire looked to his bench for reinforcements, as Rhianne Oakley returned from injury.
The Bluebirds striker almost made a swift impact, as she found fellow replacement Mikayla Cook on the left, whose effort at goal was saved by goalkeeper Chelsea Herbert, with Hannah Power going close to converting the rebound.
Cook continued to pose a danger, injecting pace and tempo into the game, as the Bluebirds searched for an equaliser. With City committing bodies forward, the Swans doubled their advantage through Hosford, who fired home from close-range.
Darbyshire’s side finish Phase One of the Adran Premier sitting five points clear at the top of the table, with six matches of the league campaign remaining.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 0-2 SWANSEA CITY
Cardiff City Women: Chamberlain, Owen, Bowen, S Walsh ©, Smith, Price, Power, Watkins, Walklett (Oakley 60’), Basham (Cook 56’), Richardson (Lloyd 78’). Subs not used: Phelps, Evans.
Swansea City Women: Herbert, Finch, Lake, Cullen, Pinder (E Thomas 46’), Chivers, Hosford ©, John-Davis, Hancocks, Williams. Subs not used: Turner, Wynne, Legall, K Thomas, Harris.
After the full-time whistle, Darbyshire reflected on the defeat.
“Our unbeaten record has been a fantastic achievement and something that we are proud of as a whole Club,” Iain began. “We came up short today, but we remain in a positive position going into Phase Two and we’ll keep positive ahead of the last six matches of the season.
“At the start of Phase Two, many of our injured players, who missed out today, will be back with us and we’re going to continue to work really hard to have a successful end to the campaign. We’re five points clear and have two cup semi-finals to look forward to, so it’s an exciting time ahead for us.
“The support that we had today was brilliant; it shows how far we’ve come as a Women’s programme and it’s really appreciated by myself, the staff and the players.”