Preview | Swansea City Women v Cardiff City Women
Swansea City Women host Cardiff City in the first south Wales derby of phase two in the Genero Adran Premier at Llandarcy Academy of Sport this afternoon (2pm kick-off).
The Swans head into the match in high spirits after reaching the Welsh Cup final for the first time since 2018 with a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Cwmbran Celtic FC Women at Jenner Park last Sunday.
Cardiff will also be Swansea’s opponents in that final after securing their place with a 2-1 victory over Wrexham at Park Avenue.
Yzzy Taylor’s side go into the contest in excellent form, having won their last seven matches in all competitions. During that run the Swans have scored 40 goals and conceded just four, while they have not lost a home fixture since their Genero Adran Trophy defeat to this weekend’s opponents back in December.
Cardiff arrive having lost two of their last three matches - both against Wrexham in the Genero Adran Trophy and the league - before their Welsh Cup semi-final victory last weekend. Prior to those defeats, however, the Bluebirds had suffered just one loss all season, an opening-day defeat to The New Saints.
A Swansea victory would see the Swans close the gap on Cardiff to just two points while also holding a game in hand over Wrexham, firmly putting them in the title race with four league games remaining.
There could also be a special moment for Swansea’s top scorer Chloe Chivers. If she finds the net against Cardiff, she will have scored against every team in the Genero Adran Premier this season - a feat only Wrexham forward Katie Barker has achieved so far.
Pre-match views
Yzzy Taylor: "We have prepared well this week, and we have challenged the girls to ensure our performance levels stay at the maximum we know they can reach. South Wales derbies are always exciting occasions, so we are really looking forward to the game.
"Whenever we play at home, we first of all want to perform well and, secondly, make sure we get a result. We felt we let ourselves down the last time we faced Cardiff in the cup, so for us it is about making sure that does not happen again and putting in a performance we can be proud of.
"We have progressed a lot over the last few weeks and months. The last seven games have been superb for us, and I think it was important for the girls to go on a run like this to make sure we were in a position to compete. On Sunday, we will look to show exactly what we are about.
"We will take it one game at a time. We want to go and give a good account of ourselves. We know Cardiff, as the reigning champions of this league, will put in a strong performance, and it is important that we are able to match that."
Flashback - March 31, 2024
Swansea City Women bounced back after a previous midweek defeat to the Bluebirds with a 2-0 victory over Cardiff City at Llandarcy Academy of Sport.
Goals from Katy Hosford and Emily Thomas gave the Swans the victory against the Bluebirds, who had ended their title hopes just four days prior with a 4-0 defeat.
The Swans got a deserved breakthrough when Hosford twisted and turned in the Cardiff box and was brought down by Lisa Owen.
The skipper stepped up to the spot and found the net from 12 yards for her 19th goal of the season in all competitions.
Cardiff had chances at the end of the first half and start of the second, but Robyn Pinder led a sharp Swansea attack before sending Thomas through on goal to tap home her first senior league goal for the club and double the lead and secure the victory.
Swansea City Women: Chelsea Herbert, Lucy Finch (Rhian Williams 56), Ellie Lake, Rachel Cullen, Robyn Pinder, Chloe Chivers (Imogen Harris 80), Katy Hosford (captain), Sammy Wynne, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Emily Thomas (Kelsey Thomas 80), Jess Williams.
Unused substitutes: Opal Rayner, Meg Roberts.