Report | Cardiff City Women 0 Swansea City Ladies 3
Swansea City Ladies got their Welsh Premier Women’s League title defence off to a terrific start with a handsome victory away to rivals Cardiff City.
Ian Owen’s side were worthy winners and got themselves into an early lead courtesy of a fine finish from Shaunna Jenkins.
The Swans hit the woodwork twice in the first 45 minutes and could have put the game to bed before the half-time whistle.
Nevertheless, second-half goals from Stacey John-Davis and Chloe Chivers ensured the three points went travelling back down the M4 with the Swans.
With a TV audience watching a Welsh Premier Women’s League game live for the first time on S4C, Jenkins scored the first goal of the season in style with just one minute on the clock as she found the top-right corner with a sweetly-struck volley.
The Swans very nearly doubled their lead just moments later. Tija Richardson was picked out by Chivers’ corner, but could only divert her header wide of the target.
Cardiff were struggling to pose any real threat to the visitors’ backline, and the Swans went close to extending their advantage again as John-Davis saw her show from the edge of the area clatter off the woodwork.
Cardiff came close to finding the equaliser following a loose pass from Ellie Lake, which allowed Catherine Walsh the chance to find the back of the net. However, the Cardiff player was unable to capitalise as her footwork let her down at the key moment.
Katy Hosford became the latest Swans to suffer frustration as she saw her long-distance set-piece bounce back off the crossbar before the break.
But the visitors deservedly doubled their lead just before the hour mark as John-Davis stroked the ball into the bottom corner after Chivers fed her through on goal, despite being pressured by Ffion Price.
The game was then put beyond Cardiff’s grasp as Chivers was played into a one-on-one situation by a magnificent through ball from Emma Beynon, with the winger keeper her cool to beat Charlotte Hastings in the Cardiff goal.
Swansea were totally dominant and John-Davis had a golden chance to make it four, but the striker couldn’t keep her effort down from point-blank range.
But it did not prove costly as the Swans claimed the derby day bragging rights.
Cardiff City: Charlotte Hastings, Lisa Owen, Ffion Price (Sydney Tiiman 63), Hannah Daley, Siobhan Walsh (Captain) (Sophie Norman 84), Kanisha Underdown, Danielle Broadhurst, Danielle Green, Catherine Walsh, Zoe Atkins (Kate Jeremiah 46), Cerys Pinchard.
Subs not used: Ceryn Chamberlain, Elie Jones.
Swansea City: Deanna Lewis, Alicia Powe (Captain), Ellie Lake, Shaunna Jenkins, Ria Hughes, Tija Richardson, Chloe Chivers (Sarah Adams 79), Emma Beynon, Kelly Adams (Jess Williams 87), Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davis.
Subs not used: Gemma Border, Laura Davies, Nieve Jenkins.
