League Cup Win v Sporting Club Albion

Taking a break from the rigours of the league, Cardiff City Ladies FC started their FA Women’s League Cup campaign in some style with a 2 - 0 victory away to Sporting Club Albion in the Midlands on Sunday.

Last season’s quarter finalists, Cardiff, top Group 7 of the FA Women’s League Cup with the winners and runners up of each group progressing forward to the last 16.

The Welsh girls made some changes to their formation and it seemed to pay off early with a lively and confident start. A quick breakthrough came after just seven minutes with a tremendous run down the left from Ellie Smith. She sent in a cross that was half cleared after an awkward bounce at the near post, but Beth Lloyd pounced on the loose ball to put Cardiff ahead.
 
Cardiff’s Amie Lea, as lively as ever, was playing in the heart of the midfield, had a goal ruled out for offside as they threatened again. And the same player had a shot well held by Albion keeper, Becky Thomas even before the home side had mustered a chance.

Albion threatened through Natasha Baptiste's powerful runs and her ability to hold the ball up. She proved a handful for the Cardiff defenders when she headed over the bar, then sent a long range effort into Rhian Nokes' arms.

Defensive uncertainty gave Cardiff a great chance to double their lead on 37 minutes. An under hit back pass saw Lloyd pick the ball up but her placed shot rattled against the angle of post and bar from 15 yards. Cardiff went into the break with a slender lead despite the amount of possession.
 
On 53 minutes Thomas saved well at her near post from Smith, but she was powerless to stop Lloyd netting her second from 18 yards after a dangerous break down the middle had caused a mishit clearance from the Albion defence. The ball landed directly at the feet of the Cardiff striker who made no mistake.

The visitors were also finding chances as the game became stretched. Lloyd came close to a hat-trick, Lea had a powerful free kick well held by Thomas on 78 minutes, and substitute Zoe Atkins, on for Smith, tried her luck from distance to no avail.
 
One final scramble in the Cardiff area was stifled by a resolute and determined back line of Terri Beddows, Kayleigh Green and sweeper Lauren Townsend, who protected Nokes very effectively all afternoon to earn a deserved win.