Preview | Swansea City Women v Cardiff City Women
Swansea City Women kick-off their Genero Adran Premier campaign when they host Cardiff City in a south Wales derby in front of the Sgorio cameras on Sunday evening (5.15pm).
The fixture will mark Yzzy Taylor’s side’s first competitive outing at their new home, the ThermaGlaze Ground at Stafford Common, home of Garden Village AFC.
It also marks the beginning of a new era for the Swans following significant investment in the women’s programme after the sale of a stake in the team during the off-season.
Cardiff enter the campaign amid changes of their own, following several departures from their playing squad over the summer.
The fixture will also mark Noah Busby’s first league game in charge of the Bluebirds, having taken over from previous manager Iain Derbyshire ahead of last season’s Welsh Cup final.
Swansea will be looking to secure their first victory over their rivals in almost two years, with a second-half Stacey John strike sealing a 1-0 win in front of more than 2,000 supporters at the Swansea.com Stadium in 2024.
Pre-match views
Yzzy Taylor: “We are very excited to get going. We have had a really strong pre-season and we have made sure as a team that we have stayed connected and clicked in different elements of our game. For the opening game to be a south Wales derby; what more could you ask for?
“We know Cardiff are in a new set-up and what they bring will be different to what we are used to, but we know how threatening the key players they have retained can be.
“We have had to come up with a game plan this week to nullify the threats that we do know about, but for us the main focus has been on what we can bring to the game.
“We are a young and developing squad, but we showed last season where we want to go and the direction we want to take. If we look back at the cup final, we put ourselves in a really good position and we have to take the learnings from that.
“A south Wales derby is always exciting, and to open the season with one will be great. We are ready and prepared for it and we really want to make the ThermaGlaze Ground a home for ourselves.
“It’s going to be something different for us, but it’s also something we are going to embrace and we are looking forward to seeing as many fans there as possible on Sunday.”
Flashback - March 21, 2022
Swansea City Women produced a superb performance to secure a 4-1 victory over rivals Cardiff City at Llandarcy Academy of Sport.
The Swans had suffered two defeats against their rivals in the weeks leading up to the fixture, losing their first league game in three years against the Bluebirds before also being knocked out by the same opponents in the semi-finals of the FAW Women’s Cup.
Swansea took the lead when Stacey John’s effort was parried away, but striker Kamryn Carter was on hand to turn home the loose ball.
John would get her name on the scoresheet half an hour later, with Katy Hosford finding the forward before she finished to double the Swans’ advantage.
Cardiff found a route back into the game shortly before the break when Amy Williams’ cross was turned home at the far post by Danielle Green.
Chris Church’s side restored their two-goal advantage after the interval, with a trademark Chloe Chivers effort from distance flying past current Swans goalkeeper Amelia Forkings.
John then added her second of the afternoon with 23 minutes remaining, converting from close range to round off an impressive 4-1 victory.
Swansea City Women: Clare Skinner, Ellie Lake, Jessica Williams, Alicia Powe (captain), Nieve Jenkins, Nia Rees, Karmyn Carter (Rhianne Oakley 68), Chloe Chivers (Sarah Adams 74), Kelly Adams, Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davis.
Unused Substitutes: Gemma Border, Gwen Horgan, Phoebe Ware.