Charlton Take the Points

Cardiff City Ladies were back in action on Sunday when they entertained third placed Charlton Athletic Ladies in this FA Women’s National Premier League match held at the International Sports Stadium, Leckwith.

Cardiff were planning on overturning a 2-0 defeat just five weeks ago, and the fine weather made for an excellent game especially for the neutral.

On just 45 seconds of the game Cardiff keeper, Rhian Nokes was alleged to have tripped Fliss Gibbons just inside the penalty area and the referee awarded a spot kick. Gemma Bryan stepped up for the visitors only to see Nokes dive to her right and block the ball. It rebounded to Jordan Butler who put her shot wide of the post.

Both teams managed to get the ball down and play some very attractive football. Charlton’s Kim Dixson fired her shot just over the bar after some neat play out on the right.

Cardiff had their share of chances. A Steph Williams corner was met by the head of Nicola Cousins only for Charlton goalkeeper Megan Lynch to rise well and tip the ball over the bar.

Just before half time Gibbons floated in a shot which clipped the top of the Cardiff crossbar and bounced harmlessly over, keeping the score goalless at the break.

The second half was very much the same as the first. There were opportunities at both ends to open the scoring.

But it was the Londoners that came the closest when the Cardiff defence managed to clear two goal line chances. Firstly a corner was headed off the line by Amie Lea, followed by an acrobatic clearance by Kayleigh Green scrambling a goal bound header away from danger.

Nokes then made two tremendous saves in quick succession, one of which was a fine left handed save before tipping over a shot from Bryan.

Cardiff’s defence was eventually breached when Charlton scored in the on 73rd minute. A throw in on the left side saw Gibbons cut inside and fire a low shot across the face of goal and into the right hand corner of the net.

Cardiff fought hard for the equaliser with Ellie Smith making a mazy run out on the left. Her in-swinging cross was well met by Cousins but once again she was denied by a spectacular save from Lynch who ensured that the visitors took all three points back to London.

Next Sunday Cardiff City Ladies travel to Barnet for their next league match. Kick off 2.00pm.