Cardiff Bluebelles 7 Cwmbran Celtic 1
Sunday 23 September
Celtic Park, Cwmbran
SWWGL Division 1
This weekend the Bluebelles first team continued their SWWGL Division 1 campaign with a tricky looking away tie to Cwmbran Celtic. Cwmbran, having played at a higher level for a number of years, have found themselves in Division 1 for the 2018/19 season but will be looking for an immediate promotion back into the second tier of Welsh football having recruited well over the summer. The Bluebelles, after their impressive start to the season, hold similar ambitions for a promotion to the Welsh Women's League and this promised to be an exciting encounter.
The game started brightly and after a very even opening to the game, the away team started to create the better of the chances. A training ground move saw Captain Becky Cornelius find Hannah Moger who arrowed a volley into the top left hand corner as the Bluebelles opened the scoring.
After taking the lead, the Cardiff based team began to dominate possession, and a few more chances went begging with Charlene Hewings finding the home keeper in tremendous form. Just as they were last weekend, Moger and player of the match, Holly Jenkins, were causing all kinds of problems down the flanks and it was Moger involved once again as the Bluebelles were given a golden opportunity to extend their lead. The right back made a superb driving run down the right hand side before being felled in the box. Becca Jones, stepped up to take the resulting spot kick but saw her penalty rebound off the post as the scoreline remained 1-0.
Soon after though, the Bluebelles did add to their lead. This time it was Jenkins on the opposite flank whose barnstorming run led to the ball ending up in the Cwmbran net. Jenkins found striker Hewings, who played a lovely flick around the corner for Naomi Coulson to race through and put the ball through the keepers legs.
The Bluebelles weren't to have it all their own way though, as just before half time Cwmbran pulled one back. A very well taken goal saw the Celtic's lone striker bury the ball into the top corner giving goalkeeper Kirsty Lewis no chance.
The teams went into the break with the Bluebelles leading 2-1, the score line perhaps not reflecting the Cardiff side's dominance, but the game was still firmly in the balance as many would have predicted going into this match.
Manager Adam Hewings was keen to see his side's pressure pay off and it did so in the second half as the Bluebelles began to make the most of their chances.
The away side were relentless in their pressing and Cwmbran were to see very little of the ball in the second period as the Bluebelles dominated in all areas of the pitch.
Goalkeeper Lewis once again impressed between the sticks as her excellent distribution from the back started numerous attacks. Defender Mollie Bailey, making her first appearance of the season, also put in an assured performance alongside skipper Cornelius giving the Cardiff outfit an excellent base to build from.
Youngster Amelia Davidson provided plenty of steel in the middle of the park, and with her midfield partners of Jones and O’Donnell once again displaying their full range of passing, the Bluebelles had complete control over the tie.
The forwards looked dangerous throughout and it was a half to remember for Molly Chapman as a hat trick of neat finishes saw her extend her tally for the season to 5, and the Bluebelles gain a comfortable 5-1 lead.
A second goal for fullback Moger saw the Bluebelles extend their lead further before Jones completed the scoring with a long range effort as the game ended 7-1.
Manager Adam Hewings will have been impressed with all of his squad's efforts in what could have been a hard afternoon for the Bluebelles. Gwen Pugh, Shanice Donovan, Gabbie Cates and Caitlin Thomas also played their part in a comprehensive victory and the Bluebelles remain top of the league after a near faultless display.
Meanwhile, our development ladies were disappointed as their eagerly awaited local derby vs Cardiff City's development side was called off, with City unfortunately being able to field a team for the fixture.
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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