Report | Cardiff City Women 3 Swansea City Women 1

A hard-fought South Wales derby ended in disappointment for Swansea City Women, who were beaten 3-1 by Cardiff City Women in the Genero Adran Premier.

The Bluebirds fought back from a goal down to claim all three points, with Taite Trivett opening the scoring with a superb long-range finish before a first-half own goal from Jess Williams saw the sides go into the break level.

A second-half penalty from Haile Richards put the hosts ahead before a late header from Shannon Evans secured the victory for Cardiff in what was a competitive encounter throughout.

One positive for the Swans was the first competitive appearance of summer signing Annabel Stokes, who has endured an injury-disrupted start since joining the club. Her return to action will provide manager Yzzy Taylor with another valuable attacking option in the coming weeks.

Swansea had to withstand some early pressure, with Amelia Forkings producing an important save to deny Kate Oakley. The Cardiff forward drove into the box from the left and unleashed a powerful effort towards the near post, but the goalkeeper was equal to it, turning the ball around the post.

Forkings was called into action again as Cardiff continued to apply pressure, with Ffion Price testing her luck from outside the area. The Swans goalkeeper reacted well to tip the effort over the crossbar.

However, it was Swansea who took the lead in the 19th minute. A strong challenge from Aimee Deacon in midfield on Maddison Perrott saw the ball break to Trivett, who unleashed a superb effort from 35 yards that nestled into the top corner.

Chloe Chivers nearly added a second soon after, advancing into the area one-on-one with Grace Olsen, but the Swans number 10 dragged her effort just wide of the post.

The game continued to flow from end to end, with a long ball over the top finding Oakley, who advanced before squaring the ball to Gillian Keenan. However, she lifted her effort over the bar from just a few yards out in a golden opportunity to draw Cardiff level.

The hosts eventually found their equaliser just before half-time. Oakley, who had been Cardiff's most dangerous player in the opening 45 minutes, delivered a ball into the box which Williams attempted to head clear. However, her attempted clearance ended up beyond Forkings and into the net.

Chivers had the first opportunity of the second half after winning possession high up the pitch with a strong challenge on Shannon Evans. The forward got back to her feet and tried her luck from 20 yards, but dragged her effort wide of the post.

Forkings continued to be kept busy, getting down quickly to deny Oakley, who controlled the ball well inside the box before turning and firing towards goal.

Clear-cut opportunities became less frequent as the half progressed, but Forkings remained alert with 20 minutes remaining. Lily Billingham cut inside from the left and got a shot away, but her effort was comfortably gathered by the Swans goalkeeper.

Cardiff took the lead minutes later after substitute Haile Richards was brought down inside the box by Eilish Mitchell. Richards stepped up to take the resulting penalty and powered her effort past Forkings to put the hosts ahead.

The Bluebirds added a third in the closing stages when a Ffion Price corner was delivered into the area, with Cardiff captain Evans rising highest to guide her header past Forkings.

A late opportunity fell to the Swans as Jess Williams stepped up to take a free-kick from 30 yards, but her powerful effort sailed over the crossbar as Cardiff held on to claim all three points.

Cardiff City Women: Grace Olsen, Ffion Price, Mia Malone(Hannah Power 77'), Gillian Keenan(Haile Richards 65'), Lily Billingham, Mackenzie Olden(Anna Houghton 85'), Kerry Walklett, Kate Oakley, Shannon Evans (C),Maddison Perrott, Ella Hilliard. 

Substitutes not used: Ffion Saunders, Seren Thomas-Condon, Scarlett Baker-Perry, Thierry-Jo Gauvain.

Swansea City Women: Amelia Forkings, Lauren Davies, Maddy Murray(Aoife Sheridan 79'), Ellie Lake, Maisie Miller(Quianna Wheeler 63'), Sammy Wynne, Aimee Deacon(Annabel Stokes 79'), Chloe Chivers(L. Deacon 89'), Taite Trivett, Eilish Mitchell, Jess Williams (C).

Substitutes not used: Opal Rayner, Caitlin Seaborne, Caitlin Williams.