By Lee Clow
16 May 2021 | Friendly
Cardiff City Ladies fell to a narrow 4-3 defeat against Exeter City Women at Edenvale Park.
Cardiff dominated the opening exchanges as Cori Williams, Jasmine Turner and Nadia Lawrence all came close.
On 25 minutes Williams came close with another chance, but Exeter goalkeeper, Megan Lightfoot, was on hand yet again to keep the effort out.
After soaking up so much pressure from the visitors, Exeter produced a shock goal as Jess Sandland managed to squeeze an effort into the back of the net past Laura O’Sullivan.
Despite the sucker punch blow, Cardiff responded well, and they were unfortunate not to equalise within minutes as Williams saw her shot loop onto the cross bar following a good save by Lightfoot.
Right before half time, Cardiff finally found the back of the net. Morgan Rogers found space down the left-hand side, before hitting a low driven shot into the back of the net, giving her side a deserved equaliser.
The teams went into the break on level terms with the visitors looking the more dangerous in front of goal.
In the second half, Exeter came flying out the traps and within 10 minutes they dealt Cardiff another blow as they retook the lead, following a scuffed shot from Mollie Taylor inside the box.
Only four minutes later, the home side doubled their advantage as a miss hit cross from Pheobe Baker on the right deceived O’Sullivan in the Cardiff net.
Following the quick succession of goals, Cardiff looked for an instant reply, but they were soon punished once again as Exeter beat the offside trap which allowed Esme Kilburn-Thompson to calmly slot the ball home for their fourth goal of the game.
With 12 minutes to play, the visitors gave themselves a glimmer of hope as Shannon Greeway headed home a Rogers cross.
Moments later, Cardiff reduced the deficit to just one as Rogers, spectacularly looped the ball over Lightfoot from 30 yards.
Cardiff’s third goal appeared to restore the belief and energy within the side as they pushed for an equaliser.
Despite their great efforts, Cardiff could not force an equaliser as they fell defeat to an Exeter side who put in a very good shift in the second half.
What’s next?
Cardiff City Ladies are back in action with a friendly against Stoke City at Ystrad Mynach on May 30.
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