Adran Premier Report | Cardiff City 2-0 Swansea City

City made it three consecutive victories in the Adran Premier with a fantastic 2–0 win over Swansea City Ladies.

A clinical first-half brace from Phoebie Poole, along with an outstanding team performance, secured all three points in the South Wales derby.

Head coach Iain Darbyshire made one change to the side that defeated Abergavenny last time out, with Lily Billingham coming into the starting XI.

The visitors started brightly, creating early chances through Katy Hosford, who tested City goalkeeper Ceryn Chamberlain. Darbyshire’s side grew into the contest and forced an opportunity through Danielle Broadhurst. The midfielder, who netted in the opening two fixtures of the campaign, won the ball brilliantly in midfield and set Rhianne Oakley free on the left, whose effort at goal was saved by Claire Skinner.

As City continued to push forward, Poole was brought down on the edge of the box, with wing-back Ffion Price firing just wide with the free-kick. The Bluebirds weren’t to be denied an opener however, taking the lead in the 24th minute. Price’s fantastic delivery into the box picked out Poole, who headed clinically past Skinner.

Having taken the lead, Darbyshire’s side looked full of confidence, as Oakley drove forward and found Poole, whose effort was just over the woodwork. City were rewarded for their positivity in attack, doubling the lead in the 38th minute, as Danielle Green’s initial effort at goal was saved, before Poole tucked home from the rebound.

Shortly before the break, the Bluebirds were inches away from a third goal, with Oakley squaring to Poole in the box, whose close-range effort struck the woodwork. After a superb first-half performance, City went into the interval with a 2-0 lead.

The Bluebirds started the second period strongly and looked to add to their two-goal advantage, as Lily Billingham played Poole through, who was just beaten to the ball by Swans captain Alicia Powe. As the Swans looked to halve the deficit, Hosford struck an effort from the edge of the box, which hit the woodwork.

City continued to pose a danger however, as Poole raced through looking for her third, only for Skinner to make the save. Substitute Zoe Atkins went close to making an instant impact, as she put in a fantastic delivery for Poole, who headed just wide of the post.

In the final ten minutes, the Swans pushed bodies forward and went close to getting on the scoresheet through Shaunna Jenkins - as her volley struck the crossbar. However, the Bluebirds continued their fine display to keep a clean sheet for the third straight game, securing all three points.

City return to action next weekend, travelling to Barry Town United’s Jenner Park on Sunday 2 October, 2pm KO. 

FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY FC WOMEN 2–0 SWANSEA CITY LADIES

Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Green (Hughes 90’), Smith, S Walsh ©, Power, Price, Broadhurst, Watkins, Billingham (Atkins 73’), Oakley (Saunders 84’), Poole. Subs not used: Roberts, Bowen.

Swansea City: Skinner, Powe © (S Jenkins 76’), Lake, Beynon, Adams, N Jenkins, Hosford, John-Davis (Rees 60’), Tiley (Legall 76’), Davies (Horgan 67’), Williams. Subs not used: Herbert.

After the final whistle, head coach Iain Darbyshire spoke to cardiffcityfc.co.uk.

“We’re very happy,” Iain began. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we performed really well. First-half, I thought we were almost unplayable, probably guilty of leaving a goal or two out there. We knew they were going to come back into it second-half and put us under pressure because they’re a really good side, but we’re really pleased with a South Wales derby win.

“We’ve put some hard work in during training and it’s not been overnight. It’s good to see the rewards now. We’ve won three, but also have three clean sheets, scoring a decent amount of goals, but we’ve got to focus and not get ahead of ourselves.”

After her fantastic brace, striker Phoebie Poole added: “I’m absolutely buzzing. The girls put an amazing shift in, we worked really hard. We knew it was going to be difficult, they’re one of our most competitive opponents in the season, but we stuck to our principles, worked hard and made sure we got the win.

“I’m always delighted to score, but it comes from the hard work from all the girls. I’m really grateful to have players around me who create chances for me to score.”