Report | Swansea City Ladies 1 Cardiff City Women 0
Swansea City Ladies extended their lead at the top of the Genero Adran Premier with a narrow win over Cardiff City Women at Llandarcy.
The back-to-back champions posed near enough all the moments of attacking promise in the first half.
And that eventually paid off in the latter stages as they were given a penalty for handball, which Rhianne Oakley made no mistake with.
The second half was much more evenly contested but Chris Church’s side were able to see the game out to claim another victory.
Victory see the Swans move three points clear of Cardiff City and Cardiff Met at the top of the table, with a game in hand on both their rivals.
The Swans came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock early on as Stacey John-Davis’ cross picked out Katy Hosford at the back post, but she was unable to turn it home from close range.
A strong counter attack from Swansea then resulted in a chance for Kelly Adams, however, the midfielder’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was denied by the woodwork.
Swansea claimed for a penalty after Tija Richardson was taken down by Siobhan Walsh, but the referee waved the claims away.
Cardiff’s defence held firm towards the end of the first half as they threw themselves in the way of several Swansea strikes on goal in quick succession.
But, the Swans took a narrow lead into the break after Oakley converted from the penalty spot after Siobhan Walsh was deemed to have handled the ball.
Swansea dictated most of the play as the second half progressed and looked the more threatening of the sides.
Cardiff were kept at bay for the majority but they looked to pose a threat with a cross from Danielle Green but Claire Skinner claimed it with ease.
The Bluebirds broke on the counter with 10 minutes left but their final product let them down.
The Swans looked to make the most of Cardiff committing players forward and they nearly did so as Hosford released John-Davis, but she was unable to find the bottom corner.
Swansea City Ladies: Claire Skinner, Ellie Lake (Jess Williams 90), Shaunna Jenkins, Alicia Powe (captain), Ria Hughes, Tija Richardson, Kelly Adams, Laura Davies, Stacey John-Davies, Katy Hosford, Rhianne Oakley (Sarah Adams 64).
Subs not used: Gemma Border, Chloe Chivers, Chloe Tiley.
Cardiff City Women: Ceryn Chamberlain, Lisa Owen, Ffion Price, Hannah Daley, Siobhan Walsh (captain), Pheobie Poole, Seren Nia Watkins (Hollie Smith 46), Catherine Walsh, Danielle Broadhurst, Danielle Green, Amy Williams (Lily Billingham 61).
Subs not used: Zara Mujica, Emily Bayliss, Zoe Atkins.
