Cardiff City Women continued their unbeaten start to the Adran Premier campaign with an impressive 5-1 victory over Pontypridd United at the USW Sports Park.
Goals from Eliza Collie, Siobhan Walsh, Molly Kehoe, Seren Watkins and Mikayla Cook gave City all three points.
Head coach Iain Darbyshire made three changes to the side that defeated Wrexham in our last league game, with Danielle Green, Cook and Mackenzie Olden coming into the starting XI.
The Bluebirds made a positive start, taking the lead in the 16th minute, as striker Collie was free in the box and found the net from close-range. City immediately searched for a second goal, as midfielder Watkins fired wide of the post from distance.
Darbyshire’s side doubled the advantage with 31 minutes on the clock, as captain Walsh turned home from Ffion Price’s delivery. Just a minute later, the Bluebirds added a third through Kehoe, who finished clinically for her fourth goal of the campaign.
Just before the break, City almost netted a fourth, as Walsh headed just over from a pinpoint Watkins corner. After a brilliant first half performance, the Bluebirds went into the break with a 3-0 lead.
City continued their impressive showing in the second period, almost adding a fourth through a Price delivery, which led to Olden having an effort saved by goalkeeper Klaudia Wojtyczka. The Bluebirds weren’t denied a fourth goal however, as Watkins netted her first goal of the season with a fine effort from distance.
The hosts pulled a goal back in the 68th minute through Shannon Greenway, who found the net with a header. City responded well, as defender Megan Bowen tried her luck from distance, firing wide of the post. With a clinical performance, the Bluebirds stretched their lead at the top of the Adran Premier table to three points, having won four and drawn one in the opening five fixtures.
City’s next fixture is on Sunday, October 29th, welcoming Barry Town United to Cardiff City Stadium, 5.10pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: PONTYPRIDD UNITED 1-5 CARDIFF CITY
Pontypridd United: Wojtyczka, Daley ©, Turner, Gunney, Williams (Greenway 46’), Preece Jones, Bufton (Fenton 46'), Grosvenor (Simmonds 46'), Topper, Lawrence (Sherrard 10’), Jones.
Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Cook (Owen 61’), Price (Power 66’), S Walsh ©, Bowen, Watkins, Beynon, Olden (Oakley 66’), Kehoe (Richardson 70’), Collie. Subs not used: Forkings.