Adran Premier Report | Wrexham 0-2 Cardiff City
Cardiff City Women got off to the perfect start to the Genero Adran Premier campaign with a 2-0 win against Wrexham at the rock.
A scintillating free kick from Ffion Price and a goal from last season's top scorer Eliza Collie ensured the Bluebirds began the campaign with all three points.
Right-back Lisa Owen came close to opening the scoring inside the first ten minutes after her cross was almost parried into the goal by keeper Lizzie Craven, who just managed to keep the ball from bouncing over the line.
Summer recruit Laura Curnock, making her Adran Premier debut, almost scored a minute later after being found by a long ball from Shannon Evans. The striker dragged the effort just wide of the far post.
After a goalless first half, Price stepped up to take a free kick and magnificently picked out the top corner to give the Bluebirds the lead.
Price looked to add a second following a run on the right from Owen, who picked out Lily Billingham with the cross, laying off to Price, but the effort sailed over. A strong save from Ceryn Chamberlain kept the score at 1-0, denying a long ranged effort from Brooke Cairns and parried away safely for a corner.
Shortly after, Collie opened her account for the season, splitting open the Wrexham defence and calmly finishing to double the lead and secure victory. Next up for City is a home fixture against Cardiff Met on Sunday September 22nd, 2pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: WREXHAM AFC WOMEN 0-2 CARDIFF CITY WOMEN
Wrexham AFC Women: Craven, Clark, Sharp, Lovett, C Jones, Fuller (C), L Jones, Suckley (Iddenden 70'), Cairns, Gibbard (Pritchard 70'), Hughes (Lightfoot 60'). Subs not used: Ankers, Burnham.
Cardiff City Women: Chamberlain, Owen, Smith, Bowen (C), S Evans, Price, Billingham, Walklett, Kehoe (Barry 64'), Collie, Curnock. Subs not used: Phelps, G Evans, Jenkins, Bull.
After the full-time whistle, head coach Iain Darbyshire told Sgorio: “We knew it was going to be a scrap, we knew it was going to be a battle, they played really well. They changed their shape, which caught us a little by surprise, so credit to them, but you saw the desire, you saw a team of winners and we’re still that team now.
"Most of their shots were from range, I don’t think they had any clear cut chances, which shows our defensive shape was very good. That’s something we have worked on in preparation for Europe and I think once we set up in our mid to low block, I don’t think they looked like scoring. We’re happy with what we limited them to, we can be better 100%, but we’re happy to take home the three points.”
Wing-back Price, who netted the opening goal said: “I think it was really important for us to get off to a good start to the season. We knew Wrexham are tough opposition, and coming off the back of the Champions League, we showed our quality today, the girls worked really hard and I think we deserved the win.”
“We’re setting the target this year to retain all three trophies and what a way to start. We’re going to continue working hard and put in performances week in, week out.”
Striker Collie added: “We knew coming out here it would be tough and in fairness, they put a very good shift in. At half time, we knew we weren’t at the standard we normally set and in the second half, we had to improve and we did.”
“In pre season, I knew I had to come back and do better than what I did last season and that’s put me in the right step going forward and I’m delighted.”