Adran Trophy Report | Briton Ferry Llansawel 1-3 Cardiff City

City booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Adran Trophy with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Briton Ferry Llansawel at the Old Road Welfare Ground.

Substitute Phoebie Poole broke the deadlock for the Bluebirds, before defender Megan Bowen and Zoe Atkins made sure of the victory.

Head coach Iain Darbyshire made seven changes to the side that defeated Abergavenny Women in midweek, with a notable start for striker Eliza Collie, who netted twice in the victory at Cardiff City Stadium last time out.

In a competitive opening period, City’s first chance fell to Atkins following some positive build-up. The City attacker cut inside from the left and fired just over the woodwork. As City were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position, wing-back Evie Hughes was found free on the right - but her dangerous cross couldn’t quite find a teammate.

With the Bluebirds continuing to push for the opener, Collie almost broke the deadlock with a great effort from distance, which goalkeeper Courtney Young tipped onto the woodwork. The City attacker again went close before the break, curling towards goal and forcing Young into another save.

Darbyshire’s side started the second period on the front foot, as wing-back Danielle Green cut inside and forced a save, before substitute Poole found Atkins, but her effort at goal was also kept out by Young. In another chance, Hughes delivered brilliantly to the back post, where Poole was on-hand to volley at goal, only for Young to save once more.

The Bluebirds were rewarded for their persistence, breaking the deadlock after 57 minutes, as Poole broke through and finished clinically to give City the lead. There was almost an instant second, as Hughes’ pinpoint corner was headed just over by Bowen. The City defender wasn’t to be denied however, as she was on-hand to find the net four minutes after the opening, scoring her second goal since signing for the Bluebirds.

City continued to create chances in the second-half, with Hughes’ corner almost turned in by Poole. The Bluebirds added a third on 84 minutes, as substitute Megan Saunders made an instant impact, playing through Atkins, who finished clinically. The hosts pulled a late goal back through substitute Lowri Baker, as Briton Ferry Llansawel got themselves on the scoresheet.

Darbyshire’s side return to action in midweek, facing Cardiff Metropolitan University at Cyncoed Campus on Wednesday, 23 November, 7.45pm KO.

ADRAN TROPHY FINAL SCORE: BRITON FERRY LLANSAWEL 1-3 CARDIFF CITY

Briton Ferry Llansawel: Young, Walkley, Broadley, Jenkins, Llewellyn, Ridings ©, Powell, Roberts (Clayton 82’), Kearle, Deacon, Denscombe (Baker 72’). Subs not used: Norris, Smitham, Davies.

Cardiff City: Roberts (Chamberlain 46’), Hughes, Power ©, Bowen, Smith, Green, Norman, Billingham, Major (Poole 46’), Atkins, Collie. Subs not used: Watkins.

After the final whistle, head coach Darbyshire spoke to cardiffcityfc.co.uk.

“We’re delighted to get through,” Iain began. “It was a proper cup tie. Fair play to Briton Ferry, they made it difficult for us, but we played some good stuff at times, kept our patience and got our reward in the second-half. It’s another step forward for us and we’re really happy to be in the next round. 

Commenting on the performance of City’s second goalscorer, centre-back Bowen, Iain added: “Meg has been really good since coming in. She’s a player with a lot of potential, who has already shown how good she  is and how good she can be. She was unlucky not to score with a header a few minutes before her goal, but we’re delighted for her to get her second goal for us.”