A 3-0 defeat at home to Cheltenham town ladies sees Cardiff city ladies FC crash out of the FA cup
Report by Matt Priest
Report by Matt Priest
An early goal from Natasha Harding and a brace from Una Lue was enough for Cheltenham Town Ladies who progress into the second round.
A stunning strike from Harding in the 2nd minute gave the visitors an early lead with a long range effort which hit the underside of the bar and in.
Cheltenham had all the possession in the first 20 minutes with the exception of a lobbed ball from a free kick in the 18th minute which was the first real test for Cheltenham keeper Aimee Watson who collected the ball under pressure.
A fantastic save in the 22nd minute from Laura O’Sullivan from a one on one relived some of the pressure on Cardiff after a sustained period of attack from the visitors.
A curling effort from Phoebie Poole in the 29th minute forced another great save from O’Sullivan.
Lue doubled the visitors lead in the 33rd minute after slotting the ball past O’Sullivan into the bottom right corner.
Chloe Lloyd put a freekick well over the bar in the 37th minute in what was Cardiff City’s best chance of the half.
The first 45 minutes was all Cheltenham with the hosts struggling to find their feet in them game.
Two half time substitutions were made by Cardiff with Ellie Sargent and Grace Horrell-Thomas replacing Libby Piggott and Kelly Isaac.
An early freekick was headed wide by Cheltenham who started the second half on the front foot much like they did in the first half.
The first 15 minutes of the second half were a box to box encounter with neither team seemingly able to find the back of the net.
The second half deadlock was broken in the 61st minute with a half volley from Lue who scored her second of the afternoon.
A long range shot from Jessie Taylor skimmed wide in the 82nd minute which was Cardiff’s best chance of the second half.
The hosts had a plethora of chances late in the second half forcing a save out of Watson.
Cardiff will be hoping to turn their fortunes round with an away fixture against Plymouth next Sunday in the league.
📸 Photos by Megan Monk
