Cardiff Bluebelles 2018/19 First Team |
Cardiff Bluebelles 7 Goytre United 1
Sunday 2nd September 2018
Cardiff University Fields
SWWGL Division 1
With a summer of big change at the club, and a superb
pre-season under their belts, Cardiff Bluebelles FC’s newly formed first team began their 2018/19 South Wales Women’s and Girls League Division 1
campaign this weekend. With a change in coaching staff and a raft of new signings, the team head into the league campaign with title
ambitions.
Goytre United Ladies were the first visitors the team’s
home ground, at Cardiff University Fields in Llanrumney, as the Bluebelles ran
out comfortable 7-1 winners.
The game kicked off at a fast pace with both teams
looking to start with intent and get on to the front foot. The home team carved
out a number of chances in the opening stages and the pressure paid off as the
Bluebelles opened the scoring. Great build up play through the midfield found
Molly Chapman just inside the box who turned superbly, before being fouled by
the Goytre defender.
The referee correctly pointed to the spot and Becca Jones
stepped up to slot the resulting penalty into the top right hand corner.
The Bluebelles continued their fast start to the game, creating
numerous chances but they were unable to capitalise on their dominance and were
punished, as against the run of play Goytre pulled one back. A turn over in
possession just inside the home teams half led to a quick break away, and a
good finish from the young Goytre forward past Bluebelles’ keeper Meg Davies drew
the scores level.
To their credit, the equaliser didn’t seem to affect the
home side who kept on the front foot and mid-way through the first half new
signing Chantelle Chapman officially opened her account for the club. Chapman,
who joined the club from Penybont Ladies in the summer, had been in superb goal
scoring form during pre-season and continued this into the team’s first
competitive fixture. Chapman found the net with a composed finish following an inch perfect ball over
the defence from Beth O’Donnell, who pulled the strings in midfield all game.
More chances came and went for the Bluebelles, with young
fullback Holly Jenkins and forward Naomi Coulson causing havoc on the left wing.
Just before half time Coulson was brought down 30 yards from goal as the Goytre
defender struggled to keep up with her quick footwork. Up stepped dead ball
specialist Becca Jones, who gave the keeper no chance with her free kick finding
the top corner to make it 3-1 to the Bluebelles heading into the break.
The second half was to bring more of the same, with the
Cardiff based team dominating possession and not letting Goytre see much of the
ball. Captain Becky Cornelius and her central defensive partner, Shanice Donovan, kept any Goytre threat at bay putting in an assured performance on their first
start together.
Mid-way through the second half Charlene Hewings replaced
the creative Caitlin Thomas and she was to make her mark almost immediately. As
the ball was cleared by the Goytre defence, Hewings arrived to volley the
Bluebelles 4th goal of the afternoon into the net from 25 yards out.
Next up to also open her account for her new club was Hannah Moger as she
capped off an action packed display to make it 5-1.
In the closing stages, further goals were to be added as
Chantelle Chapman slotted home her second of the match after a brilliant piece
of individual skill, before Hewings broke free from the physical Goytre defence
and kept her composure with a neat finish. A few final chances came for the
Bluebelles but the Goytre keeper made several saves as the game finished 7-1.
Newly appointed first team manager Adam Hewings was
naturally delighted with the display his side put on and will hope the ladies
can build on a great performance and result next Sunday. The Bluebelles welcome
Pontypridd Panthers to the University Fields for a 2pm kick off.
The Bluebelles’ development side also put in an
impressive display to cap off a great afternoon for the club. They beat Welsh
Premier League side Britton Ferry’s development squad in Chris Hooper’s first
game in charge.
Report by Francesca Howorth, Cardiff Bluebelles Media Officer.
Cardiff Bluebelles kindly sponsored by KCS Transport, Blue Ridge Canine Academy and Priority Childcare.
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