City in Focus | Rhianne Oakley at home with the Bluebirds
Since signing for City in the summer, striker Rhianne Oakley has been a revelation.
The attacker has netted 11 goals in all competitions so far this campaign, as well as adding a constant threat with her pace and direct running.
Looking back at her first few months as a Bluebird, the 21-year-old spoke of how she has settled in seamlessly.
“I definitely feel like I’ve found a home at the club,” Rhi began. “I feel so comfortable here with the girls, and I’m getting more and more confident with every game.
“My transition into the club was amazing; I couldn’t have wished for it to go any better.
“Coming from a rival club, it’s not always easy, but the girls and the coaches have been great with me, so I feel like I’ve settled in really well.
“We’re really pleased, it couldn’t have gone much better for us. It’s always nice to be at the top of the league, but all it does is set us up nicely for the second half of the season.
“Being in both Cups as well, it’s just what we wanted at the start of the season.”
In just her second game for the Bluebirds, Rhi netted her first goal in City colours in a 5-0 win at Abergavenny Women.
Since then, the attacker has contributed regularly with both goals and assists.
Rhi continued: “It’s always nice to get off the mark early. It’s great to get some goals, but especially to help the team as well, that’s just what you want as a striker.
“I definitely feel like I’ve improved. There’s always room for improvement no matter what stage you’re at in your career.
“It’s always important to look at the negatives in performances as well as the positives.
“Training three times a week is massive. That extra session really does a lot for you, whether it’s being in the gym or out on the pitch, it all comes together for the game at the weekend.
“My confidence has gone through the roof since signing for the club. Playing 90 minutes regularly is helping me to improve, to score goals and help us to win games.”
It’s been a remarkable start to the campaign for City, who currently sit at the top of the Adran Premier table and have reached the latter stages of both the Adran Trophy and the FAW Women’s Cup.
Looking ahead to the second half of the season, the Bluebirds attacker has set her sights on continuing both her and the squad’s form.
“I just want to do more and more in each game,” Rhi added. “We had an amazing first half of the season, but I think we can do even better in the second half of the year.
“We’re in a good position in the league and are still in both Cups, so it’s just about building on what we’ve done so far.
“I’ve loved my time here, it’s been amazing. It’s a great group of girls and I’m really excited for the second half of the season.
“We’ve done really well and have put ourselves in a really positive position, so we just need to keep the same attitude, determination and carry that through for the rest of the season.”
Rhi concluded: “It would mean a lot to us to have a positive end to the year, it’d be massive.
“The girls really deserve that, and I know the coaches are desperate for us to be successful as well, so it’d be amazing if we can finish it off together.”
