Cardiff City FC Women marked a very special match, with a very special performance, defeating Briton Ferry Llansawel Ladies, 6-0, on Sunday, May 9th, 2021.
Zoe Atkins scored twice and Phoebie Poole netted a hat-trick in the first half of the match, while Catherine Walsh added a fine second half strike to seal an impressive win, with the match from Cardiff City Stadium being streamed live around the world on Cardiff City TV.
Any early match nerves ahead of a big afternoon at Cardiff City Stadium were settled within three minutes as Iain Darbyshire's side took the lead. Cerys Pinchard found Catherine Walsh just outside the box. Her powerful cross was well finished by forward Zoe Atkins, coming in from the left side to slot low to the right.
Goalkeeper Charlotte Hastings made a fine stop to push away Renee Day's shot after eight minutes. Despite this moment, it was the Bluebirds that took control of the match and netted their second of the game after 15 minutes. A smooth flowing move started in the Bluebirds defence with Siobhan Walsh exchanging passes with Danielle Broadhurst before the ball eventually found Atkins 25-yards out. She fed Phoebie Poole with a fine through ball, with Poole making no mistake, firing left footed into the far corner of the net to double the advantage.
Four minutes later, it was three. Poole returned the favour to her attacking colleague, playing a fantastic one-two with Atkins 20-yards out with Zoe running clear and slotting in her 10th league goal of the season.
Winger Danielle Green was having a fine match for the Bluebirds and forced a fine save from Briton Ferry goalkeeper Courtney Young after 24 minutes. One minute later, the fourth goal did come for City, adding to an impressive first half showing. Poole grabbed her second goal of the afternoon, reacting quickest to Ffion Price's corner kick.
With nine minutes remaining of the opening 45', City were given an opportunity to score their fifth goal after Poole was fouled by Young after reaching Cath Walsh's pass before the goalkeeper. Normal penalty taker Walsh stepped aside, giving her strike partner the chance to score a Cardiff City Stadium hat-trick, which Phoebie did clinically, taking her tally for the campaign to 18 competitive goals in just 16 appearances.
Green went close to a sixth strike twice late in the half. First with a wonderful left-footed strike that cannoned out off the woodwork, before later shooting over after being found by Pinchard.
Briton Ferry changed their shape in the second half, looking to quell the City attack. Although this tactical alteration and the heavy rain flow had an impact on the occasion, City continued to find space and chances. Atkins went close to her hat-trick, with 53 minutes on the clock. Three minutes later, forward Catherine Walsh got a deserved goal.
It was an unselfish display from Walsh throughout the encounter, regularly making opportunities for others, but she took her goal brilliantly. Sophie Norman found Walsh 25-yards out. She fed the ball wide to Price, who danced into the area, and returned the ball to Cath, who took aim and found the bottom corner with a powerful effort.
Second half substitute Jasmine Simpson went close to adding to the tally 63 minutes in. The forward cut in from the left side and curled for the top corner, with the ball dropping onto the roof of the net. Simpson come on six minutes earlier alongside Kanisha Underdown and Lisa Owen. Ellie Jones joined them one minute after Jasmine's chance, replacing Hannah Daley, who had put in another strong display in defence.
Midfielders Norman and Underdown saw long range shots go off target soon after - while Atkins was denied her hat-trick goal by Briton Ferry 'keeper Young after 76 minutes. The last of City's five changes came on 81 minutes with young central midfielder Brooke Evans replacing Norman.
Young tipped a late Catherine Walsh shot wide. City finishing with a six goal win, clean sheet, and fine team performance from a great afternoon for the Women's game in Wales.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY FC WOMEN 6-0 BRITON FERRY LLANSAWEL
Cardiff City FC Women: Hastings, Price (Owen 57), S.Walsh, Daley (Jones 64), Pinchard, Broadhurst (Underdown 57), Norman (Evans 80), Green, Poole (Simpson 57), Atkins, C.Walsh. Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Cook.
Briton Ferry Llansawel: Young, Broadley, Welsh, Day (Thomas 79), Ridings, Powell, Roberts, Deacon, Hogbem, Topper (Pascoe 84), Clayton (Kearle 60). Subs Not Used: Barnett, Braithwaite, Baker, Rees.