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.

Bluebelles send out statement with victory over fellow unbeaten rivals

Cardiff Bluebelles 5 Coed Duon Dragons 1

Sunday 14 October

Coed Duon

SWWGL Division 1

With most games in South Wales falling victim to this weekend’s stormy weather conditions, the Bluebelles were pleased to see their fixture against fellow unbeaten side Coed Duon Dragons go ahead with the Coed Duon pitch in good condition. It promised to be a fiercely competitive game with both sides keen to keep their unbeaten records intact and send out a statement of their title ambitions.

In contrast to previous weeks, the Bluebelles started slowly and the first 5 minutes saw Coed Duon on the front foot enjoying most of the possession. The Dragons number 9, who has been in excellent goal scoring form this season, was afforded too much space at the edge of the Bluebelles box and she punished them with a great strike which keeper Kirsty Lewis could do nothing to prevent.

Falling behind seemed to galvanise the Bluebelles who began to grow into the game and after a good spell of possession the equaliser was found by Molly Chapman. The Bluebelles then began to dominate the game and saw several chances spurned before Chantelle Chapman gave the Cardiff based side the lead. The Dragons keeper could do nothing to prevent Chapman’s strike from all of 25 yards which nestled into the top right hand corner past the keeper’s outstretched glove.

The teams went into half time with the scoreline poised at 2-1 and manager Adam Hewings was keen for his side to pick up the second half where they left off.

The Bluebelles started the half as Coed Duon had started the first and were now on the front foot. With Coed Duon dropping deeper the Bluebelles began to totally dominate the game and it wasn’t long before the lead was extended. A brilliant driving run from Chantelle Chapman down the right flank saw the ball driven across the face of goal. The in-form Molly Chapman raced into the area and her outstretched boot fired the ball into the roof of the net to make it 3-1.

By now the Bluebelles defence was largely untroubled and a further goal was added by Hannah Moger before captain Becky Cornelius rounded off the scoring with her first of the season from a corner.

The Bluebelles coaching staff were naturally delighted with the victory against one of their closest rivals for the league title and will hope their side can keep up their excellent form. Coed Duon provided the Belles with some excellent hospitality following the game and both sides will no doubt look forward to the return fixture.

Next week the Bluebelles are once again on the road as they travel to face Tredegar ladies.

Elsewhere this weekend it was disappointment for the development ladies as they suffered their first defeat of the season away to Britton Ferry development although manager Chris Hooper was still proud of his side’s efforts.  

Bluebelles vs Coed Duon Squad List

Kirsty Lewis
Hannah Moger
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
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 extend winning streak with comprehensive victory

Cardiff Bluebelles 13 Rhydyfelin 0

Sunday 7 October

Llanrumney Uni Fields

SWWGL Division 1

This weekend the Bluebelles first team found themselves back home at Llanrumney Uni Fields after two league games on the road and they were looking to continue their excellent start to the season. The pitch was in perfect condition and the Cardiff side were in a confident mood heading into the fixture.

It took only 5 minutes for the deadlock to be broken against a young Rhydyfelin team in what would prove to be a routine afternoon for the Bluebelles. Following her hat trick in her last outing, Molly Chapman picked up where she left off and scored her first of the afternoon to make it 1-0. Soon after, the lead was doubled as Chantelle Chapman, returning to the side after a three game absence due to a hamstring injury, also found herself back on the score sheet. Midfielder, Becca Jones who is making a habit of scoring this season, also got in on the action but it was Molly Chapman who stole with show with another 5 goals before the half time whistle which saw the Bluebelles head into the break with the scoreline at 8-0.

The comprehensive lead saw manager Adam Hewings make a number of changes but there was no let up in the level of performance from the Cardiff side with the whole squad keen to make an impression. The defensive unit put in another solid performance to keep the Bluebelles' clean sheet intact and although a few chances were spurned, further goals were added from Hannah Moger, Caitlin Thomas (2), Amelia Davidson and Chantelle Chapman again to make the final score 13-0 to the Bluebelles. The headlines though belonged to Molly Chapman for her six first half goals and she deservedly picked up the player of the match award.

The game also saw striker Erin Prynne make her Bluebelles debut. Her intellectual movement, which saw her play a part in numerous goals, will have impressed manager Hewings who has yet another excellent attacking option to call upon. Hewings also added after the game that the young Rhydyfelin team's attitude, despite the big score line, was to be commended.

Next week's fixture list will see a mouth watering top of the table clash as the Bluebelles travel away to fellow unbeaten side Coed Duon.

The development ladies saw their planned fixture vs Barry Town Development cancelled and the Bluebelles awarded the points as Barry were unable to field a team. Next up for Chris Hooper's side is an away trip against Britton Ferry Development.

Bluebelles vs Rhydyfelin Squad List

Kirsty Lewis
Becky Cornelius
Shanice Donovan
Mollie Bailey
Gwenan Pugh
Hannah Moger
Georgia Peplow
Charlene Hewings
Beth O'Donnell
Gabbie Cates
Amelia Davidson
Becca Jones
Molly Chapman
Chantelle Chapman
Erin Prynne
Caitlin Thomas

Report by Francesca Howorth, Cardiff Bluebelles Media Officer.

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