Adran Premier Report | Cardiff Met 0-5 Cardiff City

City continued their remarkable start to the Adran Premier campaign with a fantastic 5–0 victory over Cardiff Metropolitan University at Cyncoed Campus.

First-half goals from captain Siobhan Walsh and Danielle Broadhurst put the Bluebirds in the ascendancy, before Rhianne Oakley, Phoebie Poole and Danielle Green got on the scoresheet in the second period.

Head coach Iain Darbyshire made seven changes from the side that defeated Briton Ferry Llansawel in the Adran Trophy, with a notable start for Zoe Atkins, who netted the third in a 3-0 win.

City started on the front foot and forced early chances. Wing-back Ffion Price struck from the edge of the box, forcing goalkeeper Amelia Forkings into a save. The Bluebirds pressed well, which led to Poole intercepting Forkings’ pass, only for the ball to deflect just wide.

The Archers created an opportunity of their own, as Amy Long beat the offside trap and squared to Emily Allen, who fired over.

The hosts were made to pay for missing this chance, as City took the lead in the 17th minute through defender Walsh. The ball dropped to the City skipper in the box, who powerfully struck home from close-range.

Darbyshire’s side doubled the lead just a minute later, as Price’s initial effort at goal came to Broadhurst, who brilliantly volleyed into the bottom corner.

City went close to adding a third in the first-half, as Oakley broke through and found space to shoot, only for her effort to fly just wide.

In another positive attack, a shrewd effort from Poole, curling towards goal from the edge of the box, forced a fine save from Forkings. Just before the interval, the Met goalkeeper produced another save, but parried into the path of Oakley, who struck the post with the rebound. After a brilliant first-half performance, the Bluebirds went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

There was no let-up from City in the second-half, adding a third goal in the 54th minute. Poole won the ball back and broke forward, playing in Broadhurst, who squared for Oakley to clinically fire home. Just ten minutes later, the Bluebirds netted their fourth, as some great work from Hollie Smith to play in Poole allowed the striker to clinically finish for her ninth league goal of the season.

In the 75th minute, City found the net once more, with wing-back Green cutting inside from the left and firing at goal, leading to her effort deflecting into the bottom corner.

After an outstanding performance, the Bluebirds claimed a memorable win. Darbyshire’s side return to action on Sunday, 4th December, with a trip to face Swansea City in the South Wales derby at the Swansea.com Stadium, 2pm KO.

ADRAN PREMIER FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY 0–5 CARDIFF CITY

Cardiff Metropolitan University: Forkings, Davidson (Batsford 68’), Corne, Richardson, Turner © (Webb 79’), Hancocks, Long, Westhoff, Allen, Murray (Griffiths 73’), Preece. Subs not used: Turner, Nanette.

Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Price, Power, S Walsh ©, Smith (Bowen 80’), Green (Hughes 80’), Watkins, Broadhurst, Atkins (Billingham 68’), Oakley (Collie 68’), Poole. Subs not used: Roberts.

“That’s some of the best football I’ve seen since I’ve been at the Club,” said head coach Iain Darbyshire at full-time. “I thought we were fantastic from the off, controlled the game so well with precision and accuracy. We were so exciting and we probably could have scored even more. Credit to the players, to perform like that in those conditions, everyone should be so proud of themselves. It’s a fantastic day for the Club.

“In the terms of the performance itself, I think it’s the best we’ve ever played. In and out of possession, in each stage of the pitch, I thought we were dominant. Defensively we were aggressive, we played some really good football and the stats will show how much we dominated the game. I’m so pleased for the players and it’s great for the coaching staff to see their hard work pay off. We’ve got some big games coming up now, so we’ll keep working hard.”