Cardiff City Women opened Phase Two of the Adran Premier with a 3-0 win over Aberystwyth Town at Cardiff International Sports Campus.
Rhianne Oakley opened the scoring for City, before second half goals from Hollie Smith and Eliza Collie ensured victory for the Bluebirds.
Head coach Iain Darbyshire made three changes to the side that defeated Swansea City last time out, with Megan Bowen, Emma Beynon and Molly Kehoe coming into the starting XI.
The Bluebirds started brightly and went close to going ahead in the opening ten minutes. Wing-back Lisa Owen squared the ball to Collie, whose effort deflected just wide of the post. Midfielder Seren Watkins was next to fire at goal, striking wide of the mark from the edge of the box.
Despite the visitors’ resistance, City were patient and were rewarded with the opening goal, which came in the 27th minute. The ball was parried out to Oakley in the box, who fired the Bluebirds ahead. Darbyshire’s side almost found a second goal before the break, as Kehoe’s header flew just over.
City made a brilliant start to the second half, doubling the lead in the 47th minute, as Smith powered a header home from Ffion Price’s corner. Just two minutes later, the Bluebirds added a third through Collie, who turned home from Kehoe’s cross for her 12th league goal of the season.
The Bluebirds striker went close to doubling her tally for the afternoon shortly after, as an improvised effort flew just wide. With ten minutes of the contest left, Quianna Wheeler was rewarded for her brilliant campaign for our U19s with a senior debut.
After a professional performance, City started Phase Two of the Adran Premier with three points. Darbyshire’s side face Wrexham at The Rock next Sunday, 2pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 3-0 ABERYSTWYTH TOWN
Cardiff City: Chamberlain (Phelps 65'), Owen (Wheeler 81'), Power ©, Bowen, Smith, Price, Watkins (Walklett 60’), Beynon, Oakley (Basham 65'), Kehoe, Collie. Subs not used: Walsh.
Aberystwyth Town: Farnes, Mathias, E Jones, Duggan (Onraet), Isaac, Evans (James-Evans 79'), G Jones (Roberts), Mason (Thomas 52'), Scourfield, Jenkins ©, Gwynne.
After the full-time whistle, goal-scorer Oakley said: “It was a good game. We trained really well this week and managed to try a few new things that we were able to put in for this weekend’s game. We started off strong and I felt like we worked on the things we did in training well.
“The message at half time was to play how we play. We started well but then we dropped off a little bit, so it was important to make sure that in the second half, we came out and showed what we can do, and that came with another two goals.
“It’s great to get off the mark once again after my injury. As a forward I always want to score, but coming back, it’s important to make sure that I’m back to where I was before the injury and try to help the team; whether that’s just a good performance or with a goal.
“We need to keep playing how we have done so far. We’ve had a good season so far, and each week we’re getting better and proving why we’re top of the league. It’s important to keep playing our way, keep working as a team, and in the end, we’ll be alright.”