Gloucestershire 2nds ………….. 6
Cardiff ………………………………┬á 0
Cardiff University ladiesÔÇÖ football 1st XI suffered a hard-fought 6-0 defeat at the University of Gloucestershire 2nds last Wednesday in their season opener.
Following the postponement of the first scheduled fixture against Swansea 10 days ago, this was Cardiff LadiesÔÇÖ first game of the season as they travelled to Gloucester. Excitement ran through the team, freshers were bags of nerves and expectations were high as they started their bid to finish well in BUCS Western Conference 2B, the league in which Cardiff now play following relegation from Western Conference 1A last year.
A key moment of the match came within the first twenty minutes when both Caroline Moore and Nicole Morris sustained injuries and had to be substituted ÔÇô Beth Ashlee and Charlotte Galloway then stepped on the pitch as replacements. This was an early blow for Cardiff as they went into half time losing 3-0.
Cardiff started the second half positively with excellent periods of tight passing and long periods of possession. Player of the Match Frances Dalton at centre-back remained strong and captain Ellie Davies got stuck in in the middle of the park.
Substitute Marnie Blood, who came on in the 70th minute for Sophie Davies, pestered GloucestershireÔÇÖs left-back as Cardiff continued to apply pressure. Their efforts were not enough as Gloucestershire managed to put another three goals past Cardiff goalkeeper Frankie Taylor, meaning that three blows of the whistle from the referee at the end of the match saw Cardiff leaving the pitch defeated by six goals to nil.
This was a well contested match and there were many positives for Cardiff to take away. Fitness was excellent, passes were accurate and pressure was threatening. This was the first time that the team had all played together competitively, in addition to the absences of key players and many played in positions that they had not played in before. Victoria Francis displayed a strong performance in an unfamiliar right-back position. Ashlee was also a stand out performer at left-back.
ItÔÇÖs onwards and upwards for Cardiff as they prepare to take on Cardiff Ladies 2nds in the league this coming Wednesday, which is sure to be an exciting match.
As the 1sts pick themselves up from their defeat, early signs are positive, but they have a lot to build on.
CARDIFF: F Taylor, C Moore, F Dalton, M OÔÇÖConnell, V Francis, N Morris, E Davies, L Feltham, S Davies, A Smyth, H Gillet, B Ashlee, C Galloway, M Blood
Abigail Smyth
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