Reserves Claim League Title

Cardiff City Ladies Reserves made the long journey to Queens Park Rangers hoping to secure the FA Women’s (Reserves) Southern Division 2 championship title, and completed the job with a 4-0 win.

QPR started the better, passing the ball and making the visitors work hard, but were caught out by a Cardiff through ball from Captain Charlotte Preen, which found the feet of Cori Williams. She fired the ball into the QPR net giving Cardiff the best possible start.

The goal advantage settled Cardiff's nerves with strong play down the wings from Suzie Davies and Kay Hatley. Strong defensive play also helped to keep the score at 1-0 for a while.

Mid way through the half Cardiff had a throw-in and a one-two between Joni Warner and Rachel Cullen saw Warner find the feet of Williams. Her quick turn and shot in the box found the bottom corner giving the Welsh girls a two nil advantage.

Cardiff came close to a third goal just before the break with great closing down from winger Hatley who hassled the QPR defense into a misplaced back pass. The ball landed at the feet of Williams who took on the QPR keeper. Sinead Melinn was narrowly beaten to the rebound by a QPR defender.

Cardiff’s defense of Warner, Preen, Kat Lovett and Sophie Cole kept a strong QPR team at bay.
But they were breached in the last attack of the first half when QPR broke through, only to be thwarted by an outstanding save by O'Sullivan, ensuring that Cardiff went into the break two goals to the good.

The second half started evenly with both teams creating opportunities, but it was Cardiff that made their chances count. Warner made another fine run down the wing and Davies pounced on the cross, finding the corner of the net with her low shot.

Strong last ditch tackles in defense from Preen and ‘Player of the Match’ Lovett continued to prevent the hosts from scoring.

Cardiff's fourth and final goal came from another outstanding run by Davies whose ball across the box was inch perfect for Williams on the penalty spot. She slotted the ball passed the diving keeper, bagging another hattrick and ensuring that the Championship title travels back over the border to Cardiff.

Cardiff Manager Deborah Ball, made a few changes, bringing on youngsters Storm Buchanan and Nikita John, replacing both goal scorers Davies and Williams.

Cardiff’s last change of the game saw Hatley substituted for Sam Rodgers to freshen up the midfield.

At the final whistle Cardiff had secured all three points and, more importantly, had claimed the FA Women’s (Reserves) Southern Division 2 championship title, meaning that the celebrations could begin.

With only two more league games left, Plymouth Argyle and Reading, Cardiff hope to win them both and claim the title by having dropped only two points all season. That would be quite an achievement.

Firstly they face Yeovil Town and then Bristol Academy in the League Cup, hoping to carry on their tremendous league form.

Report by Cori Williams