Report | Cardiff City Women 3 Swansea City Ladies 2

20th February
Women
Swansea City Ladies Rhianne Oakley

Swansea City Ladies suffered a first league defeat in over three years despite a second-half fightback against Cardiff City Women.

The Swans have been in fine form once again this term, and had conceded just three league goals coming into the fixture.

But they were to concede that many in just 34 minutes at Leckwith as Amy Williams, Zoe Atkins and Catherin Walsh netted for the hosts.

The defending champions and league leaders responded strongly after the break with substitute Karmyn Carter scoring a brace, but the fightback came up just short.

Despite the defeat, the Swans remain top of the table with a four-point margin over second-placed Cardiff Met.

In sodden, blustery conditions, the home side saw Williams and Ffion Price spurn early chances to score, with Gemma Border busy in the Swans goal.

And they fell behind when Price’s cross found Williams, who controlled before dispatching the ball into the top corner.

Chloe Chivers went close to an immediate equaliser after some lovely skill saw her beat a defender and send a lob over Cardiff keeper Ceryn Chamberlain that struck the crossbar, with Stacey John-Davis unable to turn in the rebound.

Cardiff responded by doubling their lead, Atkins timing her run perfectly to meet a cross and find the net, and they held a three-goal lead after Walsh’s effort from distance had beaten the unfortunate Border as the wind played a part in the shot finding the net.

Swansea needed a response, and they got it midway through the second half when Carter pulled one back from John-Davis’ ball.

Chamberlain then just tipped away Jessica Williams’ long-range strike as the visitors surged forward, but they got their second when Carter turned in Katy Hosford’s corner to set up a nervy finish.

But it was not to be for the Swans as they suffered a very rare league defeat.

Cardiff City Women: Ceryn Chamberlain, Ffion Price, Hannah Daley, Siobhan Walsh (captain), Phoebe Poole, Seren Watkins, Catherine Walsh, Danielle Broadhurst, Amy Williams (Danielle Green 72), Zoe Atkins (Lily Billingham 79), Holly Smith.

Swansea City Ladies: Gemma Border, Alicia Powe (captain), Ellie Lake, Kelly Adams, Nieve Jenkins (Sarah Adams 79), Chloe Chivers (Karmyn Carter 56), Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davis, Rhianne Oakley, Laura Davies, Jessica Williams.