Report | Swansea City Women 1 Cardiff City Women 2
Swansea City Women suffered a narrow south Wales derby defeat as they were beaten 2-1 by Cardiff City at Llandarcy Academy of Sport in the Genero Adran Premier.
Captain Jess Williams opened the scoring for the Swans just before the interval, but a brace from Mikayla Cook in the space of four second-half minutes secured all three points for the Bluebirds.
Swansea controlled large spells of a fiery contest that lived up to its derby billing, with nine yellow cards shown across both sides, but were ultimately punished for failing to capitalise on several chances to extend their initial lead.
The visitors also had an opportunity to add to their advantage when Laura Curnock was awarded a penalty, but she fired wide of the post although the miss proved inconsequential as Cardiff held on for victory.
The Swans made a bright start and looked to play directly when opportunities arose, with the first big chance falling to Taite Trivett in the sixth minute. Ellie Lake’s cross found the unmarked forward, but she was unable to get her shot away.
Soon after, Swansea threatened again on the break as Lucy Finch struck from distance, but her effort was comfortably saved by Ceryn Chamberlain, while Chloe Chivers saw a low effort flash just wide moments later.
Chivers had another opportunity in the 26th minute after a long ball forward from keeper Amelia Forkings, only for her effort to sail wide of the target.
Swansea continued to dominate the midfield battle and came close again in the 34th minute when Chivers found space on the edge of the area before shifting onto her right foot and firing narrowly wide.
The breakthrough finally arrived four minutes later. A deep free kick from Chivers was tipped onto the crossbar by Chamberlain, but Williams reacted quickest to the loose ball and poked home from close range.
The Swans maintained the pressure after the break and should have doubled their lead in the 51st minute when Trivett drilled a low cross from the left into the path of Maisie Miller, but the midfielder’s effort drifted wide.
Swansea were made to pay for that missed opportunity moments later. With time on the ball, Lily Billingham switched play to the unmarked Cook, whose strike squeezed through the legs of Forkings to level the score.
Just three minutes later Cardiff completed the turnaround. Cook delivered a dangerous cross from a corner position which flew beyond the reach of Forkings and into the far corner.
Cardiff then had the chance to put the result beyond doubt in the 67th minute when Swans skipper Williams brought down Curnock inside the area. However, the forward dragged her penalty wide of the post, giving Swansea renewed hope.
Shortly after, a poor clearance from Maddison Perrott allowed Trivett an opportunity to equalise. However, a crucial recovery from Cardiff captain Hannah Power blocked the effort.
Cook later went close to completing her hat-trick, but her effort rolled just wide of the target.
With 10 minutes remaining Swansea continued to search for a leveller. Trivett delivered another cross into the area and Chivers’ header drifted just wide of the post.
Moments later, following a long ball from Williams, Chivers flicked Stacey John through on goal, only for the offside flag to halt a threatening attack.
Home frustrations boiled over on the touchline late in the game, with Swans boss Yzzy Taylor shown a red card following two separate incidents of dissent.
Swansea were handed one final opportunity deep into stoppage time with a free kick on the left-hand side, but Chivers’ effort sailed over the crossbar to bring the contest to an end.
Swansea City Women: Amelia Forkings, Lucy Finch, Maddy Murray, Maisie Miller (Lauren Davies 64’), Chloe Chivers, Stacey John (Emily Richards 86’), Ellie Lake, Eilish Mitchell (Sammy Wynne 73’), Taite Trivett, Caitlin Williams.
Substitutes not used: Opal Rayner, Steph Turner, Monet Legall, Lowri Jones.
Cardiff City Women: Ceryn Chamberlain, Hannah Power, Nieve Jenkins, Megan Bowen, Fiona Barry, Mackenzie Olden (Laura Curnock 46’), Kerry Walklett, Maddison Perrott (Lisa Owen 78’), Madison Lloyd (Lily Billingham 46’), Mikayla Cook.
Substitutes not used: Ffion Saunders, Ffion Price, Seren Thomas-Condon, Lily Nicholls.