Llandudno Junction Dispatched by Single Goal

Cardiff City Ladies are through to the semi finals of the FAW Challenge Cup after travelling the length of Wales to take on Llandudno Junction Ladies in the quarters. With the untimely and tragic death of the Wales men’s international manager, Gary Speed, on everyone’s minds, the southerners were more than happy to win, even if it was just by a single goal.

The visitors were on the attack from the first whistle with Captain, Sophie Ingle linking up well with Nicola Cousins before Ingle threaded a delightful pass through for Gwennan Harries, but her shot went just wide of the post.
 
The goal came in only the seventh minute when Harries collected the ball from midfield ran at the defence and unleashed an unstoppable shot from the edge of the penalty area that curled away from Jess Hughes in the Llandudno goal and into the top left hand corner of the net.
 
Cardiff were buoyed by this and continued to press forward. They had so much possession, plenty of corners but unable to convert any chances. The home goal was under siege with Steph Williams firing over before Cousins hit the foot of the post.
 
Cardiff defender Terri Beddows found Cousins with a long raking pass. Cousins was through on goal but Hughes did very well to avert the danger, diving to her left and pushing the ball around the post.
 
Just before half time Annie Pritchard got in on the act and nearly doubled the score with a cheeky little shot that almost crept in at the far post, but the visitors had to settle for the slender lead at the whistle.
 
The second half was played in much the same vein as the first, with Cardiff having the majority of the possession but unable to take full advantage. Their task was made more difficult, playing on such a tiny pitch, and the support from the home crowd gave Llandudno Junction the incentive they needed to battle for a result. They defended really well and stubbornly throughout the whole match!
 
Hughes made another vital save, this time with her feet, as Cardiff’s Amie Lea tried her luck, before both Cousins and Williams struck the crossbar with their own efforts.
 
With only one goal separating the teams it was on 80 minutes that Llandudno had their first and only shot on goal. Their substitute had recently joined the action, but her shot was safely gathered by under-employed Rhian Nokes in the Cardiff goal.
 
The final 1-0 score line flattered Llandudno somewhat, but as long as the game went on they were always in with a chance. Cardiff grinded out the win but all the while the hosts defended heroically.

A few seasons ago the FAW changed the rules of entry to this competition, barring clubs who play in the English Pyramid System from entering. For the past two seasons this has excluded Cardiff City Ladies from defending their eight consecutive titles. Now they are drawn against current cup holders Swansea City Ladies in the semi finals to be played in February, and they intend to claim back the title.

Next Sunday, 4th December, Cardiff are back in league action when they travel to Charlton Athletic Ladies. Kick off will be 2.00pm.