Adran Premier Report | Cardiff City 3-1 Cardiff Met
The Bluebirds' first home match of the 2024/25 campaign ended in a 3-1 victory.
Despite the visitors taking the lead, a goal from Fiona Barry and a brace for Ffion Price was enough to claim all three points.
Iain Darbyshire's starting XI included a first City start for defender Grace Evans, who has previously impressed at U19 level.
The Archers took the lead with seven minutes on the clock, as striker India Shanahan found the net. City reacted well and immediately searched for an equaliser, with Barry going close with two efforts, which were both claimed by the goalkeeper.
There were further chances for City, as a goalmouth scramble saw Eliza Collie go close, before another attack led to Lily Billingham firing just over the bar. The leveller came in the 43rd minute, as Barry headed home at the back post following a great cross from Lisa Owen.
The Bluebirds started the second half brightly and were rewarded for doing so, taking the lead with 51 minutes on the clock, as Price calmly converted a penalty into the bottom corner.
Just as she did last week, the City wing-back stepped up to take a free-kick and found the net, doubling her tally for the afternoon in the 60th minute.
In the final minutes, U19 duo Georgina Bull and Holly Jones both came on for their senior debuts.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 3-1 CARDIFF MET
Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Owen, Bowen (C), S Evans (Jones 90'), G Evans (Jenkins 80'), Price, Walklett, Billingham, Curnock (Kehoe 57'), Barry (Bull 90'), Collie. Subs not used: Phelps.
REACTION | IAIN DARBYSHIRE AND FFION PRICE
Following the full-time whistle, head coach Darbyshire said: “I thought we started a little bit slow, which is something we need to get a little better at, but credit to Cardiff Met, they set up really well and they had some good moments in the first period of the game. Once we settled down, I was really happy with our build-up play, the patterns of play and our creativity. I think that’s some of the best football I’ve seen us play which is so pleasing to see and overall we’re happy with the three points.
“A lot of stuff we have been working on is coming into play. We’ve had a long and difficult pre season and a very tough Champions League campaign, and there was always going to be a little effect on the team. We’ve had to prepare to play a certain way, which we’re not going to play in our league, so we’re just getting that feeling back of enjoying and dominating the ball, and some of the patterns were frightening at times, we just need to be a bit more clinical in the final third.”
Wing-back Price added: “We started slow in the first half to be fair, but it shows the character of this team. We came back in and discussed what we needed to do and I think second half was a completely different half and we deserved the win.”
"Cardiff Met turned up from the go, we knew they have a really good squad and they gave us a test but at half time in the changing rooms, we sorted a few things out and I think the quality of our team showed in the second half and I’m really delighted to come away with the win.”