Bluebelles overcome tough Villa Dino test in style

Cardiff Bluebelles 10 Villa Dino 0

Sunday 4 November

Llanrumney Uni Fields

SWWGL Division 1

After last weekend's statement victory over league rivals Severn Tunnel, the Bluebelles were looking to cement their position at the top of the table in this week's home fixture vs Villa Dino Ladies.

It was the away side however that got off to the better start as Villa Dino attacked with purpose straight from the off. Two early shots on target called keeper Kirsty Lewis into action whose impressive form in recent weeks continued as she was equal to both attempts. Lewis kept the scoreline at 0-0 and would go on to put in a player of the match performance.

The Bluebelles did however break the deadlock against the run of play, as the returning Beth O'Donnell powered a long range strike just past the gloves of the Villa Dino keeper. O'Donnell, who missed last week's fixture due to visiting the American University at which she has been offered a scholarship, showing her worth the Bluebelles' squad once again.

Despite the setback, Villa Dino kept the pressure on and continued to search for their opening goal.The Bluebelles defence of Lewis, Moger, Donovan, Cates and captain Becky Cornelius faced arguably their most testing period of pressure so far this season but stood up to the Villa Dino attack, determined to ensure another clean sheet.

The game proved to be a mostly even contest for the majority of the first half until the 35th minute when three quick fire goals saw the Bluebelles head into the break with the scoreline at 4-0. 

First striker Charlene Hewings took a snapshot just inside the box, forcing a brilliant save low down from the Villa Dino keeper, which resulted in a corner. Set piece specialist Becca Jones delivered another of her wicked balls into the box, and skipper Cornelius connected with a thumping header at the back post. A captain's goal, and a small sense of relief for the home side.

Next, Chantelle Chapman, who’s been a revelation since joining the Bluebelles from Penybont last summer, was fouled in the box after a brilliant run which resulted in a penalty. Jones stepped up and put the strike right into the top corner, a superb penalty from the number eight which left the keeper with no chance. 

Chantelle Chapman then added to the scoreline with another superb dribble, beating two players before bending a shot right into the far corner. Chantelle is making a name for herself getting on the score sheet most weeks and her goal meant the Bluebelles headed in the break with a comfortable lead, which didn't truly reflect the balance of play in the first half.

The second half however was to be more one sided for the Cardiff based team, with their comfortable lead meaning the Bluebelles confidence was sky high and their play reflected this.

The goals started early as Hewings was put through and this time she gave the keeper no chance. A left foot finish finding the inside side netting.

After setting the pace and pressing from the front, next it was left winger Molly Chapman who was to open her account for the afternoon. After a well worked move, and shot from fullback Moger which was very well saved, Molly finished the rebound with aplomb. She was to then get another two goals in very similar fashion. Molly’s positional awareness is getting better and better, with her excellent anticipation meaning she secured yet another hattrick. 

The Bluebelles were now playing the ball around with swagger. Molly Chapman then turned provider as she set substitute striker Erin Prynne through who lobbed the keeper with a fantastic finish.

The Bluebelles then capped off the afternoon with another goal to hit double figures for the third time this season. Mollie Bailey, who put in another action packed display in midfield, set Molly Chapman through to score her fourth with a thunderous finish.

The final scoreline of 10-0 was harsh on this Villa Dino team who had put in an excellent first half display but manager Adam Hewings was delighted with the resilience and ruthlessness shown by his side who stay of his side top of the league.

Bluebelles vs Villa Dino Squad List

Kirsty Lewis

Gabbie Cates

Becky Cornelius (C)

Shanice Donovan

Hannah Moger

Beth O'Donnell

Becca Jones

Mollie Bailey

Molly Chapman

Chantelle Chapman

Charlene Hewings

Erin Prynne

Naomi Coulson

Report by Francesca Howorth, Cardiff Bluebelles Media Officer.

Cardiff Bluebelles kindly sponsored by KCS Transport,  Blue Ridge Canine Academy and Priority Childcare.

Bluebelles send out statement in top of the table clash

Cardiff Bluebelles 3 Severn Tunnel 0

Sunday 28 October

Llanrumney

SWWGL Division 1

This week saw the Bluebelles back home in Llanrumney with an eagerly awaited top of the table clash against a Severn Tunnel side who had lost just once so far this season. In what could be described as a ‘six pointer’ both sides went into the fixture knowing victory would send out a big statement to the rest of the league.

Severn Tunnel started the brighter of the two sides drawing a smart save from Bluebelles keeper Kirsty Lewis early on which won the visitors the first corner of the game. After several minutes of pressure the Cardiff side began to settle into the game and won themselves several corners. Despite excellent deliveries from Becca Jones and player of the match, Holly Jenkins, the Bluebelles could not capitalise on their chances.

Twenty minutes into the game saw the Tunnel keeper penalised for handling outside of her area. Dead ball specialist Becca Jones stepped up for the resulting free kick and her effort seemed destined to hit the net but a Tunnel defender’s outstretched arm blocked the shot. A penalty was rightly awarded and Bluebelles’ left back Holly Jenkins, despite being one of the youngest players on the pitch, showed tremendous courage and leadership to step up for the spot kick which she scored emphatically.

Only several minutes later the Bluebelles keeper was also penalised for handling outside of the area when taking a goal kick, although this time the resultant free kick sailed harmlessly over the cross bar. It was however a warning to the Bluebelles side who began to up the tempo. The Bluebelles backline and midfield trio of Jones, Davidson and Bailey were unrelenting as they pressed in numbers, starving their opponents of any time and space on the ball. Whenever possession was lost the Bluebelles were determined and merciless in their quest to win it back and chances for the Bluebelles dangerous forward line soon began to emerge.

Molly Chapman, who pressed from the front all game, put the Tunnel keeper under pressure and managed to nick the ball away from her feet. As Chapman looked to round the keeper with the goal gaping, she was pulled back in the box and again the referee correctly pointed to the spot. Jenkins once again showed nerves of steel to step up and calmly slot the ball into the corner of the net.

The Bluebelles knew heading into half time with the scoreline at 2-0 that they had a fantastic chance to go nine points clear at the top of the table and were determined to take it.

The first five minutes of the second half again saw the Bluebelles pressing at an excellent tempo, with numerous physical battles taking place in the centre of the park. The Bluebelles though began to reap the rewards of the fitness work put in so far this season as they began to dominate the game. 55 minutes in saw the ball break to the industrious Mollie Bailey on the edge of the box and she produced a spectacular volley into the top right hand corner of the net which left the Tunnel keeper stranded.

With the score line at 3-0, Tunnel were now pinned into their own half. Despite the Bluebelles enjoying most of the possession, the visitor’s strong, physical defenders were standing firm. Tunnel were now looking to create chances on the break but any threat was expertly dealt with by the solid centre half pairing of Cornelius and Donovan, leaving keeper Kirsty Lewis with relatively little to do.

To their credit, the Tunnel defenders stood firm as the Bluebelles dominated possession and some excellent defending and a string of saves from the keeper kept the score line at 3-0. With the last kick of the game, a quick break away from Tunnel saw their pacey striker’s effort nestle into the side netting, much to the relief of the Bluebelles defence who were determined to emerge with a clean sheet. As the resulting goal kick was taken the referee blew for full time and the Bluebelles kept their unbeaten record intact.

Elsewhere, the development ladies also faced a top of the table clash against Welsh Premier League side Cardiff Met’s development squad. Despite being on the wrong end of the 4-1 score line, the improvement being made by the ladies each week is to be commended.

Bluebelles vs Severn Tunnel Squad List

Kirsty Lewis

Holly Jenkins

Becky Cornelius (C)

Shanice Donovan

Hannah Moger

Amelia Davidson

Becca Jones

Mollie Bailey

Caitlin Thomas

Molly Chapman

Chantelle Chapman

Erin Prynne

Charlene Hewings

Gabbie Cates

Gwen Pugh

Report by Francesca Howorth, Cardiff Bluebelles Media Officer.

Cardiff Bluebelles kindly sponsored by KCS Transport,  Blue Ridge Canine Academy and Priority Childcare.

Bluebelles stay top after physical Tredegar test

Cardiff Bluebelles 6 Tredegar 0

Sunday 21 October

Tredegar

SWWGL Division 1

After last week's impressive victory the Bluebelles were in confident mood as they travelled to face a much improved Tredegar side who have picked up some impressive results this season.

The Bluebelles went into the fixture expecting a physical battle and that was the pattern of the game for most of the first half. It was a scrappy affair with much of the play taking place in the centre of the pitch with the Tredegar press offering little space to the Cardiff side. 

The Bluebelles enjoyed much of the possession but found the Tredegar defence to be resolute with only a few half chances presenting themselves. It took until the 40th minute for the deadlock to be broken as the Tredegar keeper parried a shot into the path of Chantelle Chapman who headed home.

It was a blow to the Tredegar side just before the half time whistle, with manager Adam Hewings sending out a clear message to his players during the interval. The Tredegar press was frantic as their players hunted in packs, but the Bluebelles knew that they would eventually tire.

The second half saw the Bluebelles continue to dominate possession and as the Tredegar press became less intense the Cardiff side were able to take full advantage of the space being offered.  Ten minutes into the half saw the Bluebelles win a corner that was only half cleared to the edge of the box where striker Erin Prynne was waiting to lash the ball home for her first Bluebelles' goal. It was quickly followed by her second as the Cardiff side began to evade more of the physical Tredegar challenges with the Bluebelles midfield now constantly threading balls in behind the defence.

Further goals were added by Chantelle Chapman, Molly Chapman and an unfortunate own goal to take the scoreline to 6-0. Tredegar were largely pinned into their own area

for much of the second half but at the times they did attempt to break away the defensive partnership of Shanice Donovan and player of the match Becky Cornelius stood firm. 

With practically the last kick of the game ,Tredegar were awarded a free kick in a dangerous area. Keeper Kirsty Lewis was determined to keep a clean sheet though and got down well to hold on to a fierce free kick.

Next week the Bluebelles are back home at Llanrumney in a mouth watering clash against title contenders Severn Tunnel Ladies. 

Bluebelles vs Tredegar Squad List

Kirsty Lewis

Holly Jenkins

Becky Cornelius (C)

Shanice Donovan

Beth O’Donnell

Amelia Davidson

Becca Jones

Caitlin Thomas

Molly Chapman

Chantelle Chapman

Erin Prynne

Charlene Hewings

Gabbie Cates

Mollie Bailey

Report by Francesca Howorth, Cardiff Bluebelles Media Officer.

Cardiff Bluebelles kindly sponsored by KCS Transport,  Blue Ridge Canine Academy and Priority Childcare.