The Matthews boy scribbles again....

After the disappointment of losing to Bristol Uni, Cardiff City bounced back in impressive style against Bristol Horfield. Having beaten them in the first game of the season a win was always likely, but the manner this time was emphatic.

Taking 11 players to the game was a good start, with all the first team girls ready and willing, and the boys boosted with the welcome arrival back into the team of Brian Carswell and Rob Davies.

With Elaine taking a sidelines role for the first half, Midge took the armband and started as she meant to continue, feeding Josh who was fouled for a penalty which Susan put away confidently. The roles were soon reversed as Josh netted the feed. 0-3 soon followed with Sian staking an early claim in a game where the girls would run the show. Horfield then claimed one back and the game went into a nervous patch, with City rushing their attack and making simple errors. Midge then stamped her authority with a rare shot from the deep.

Susan added soon before Brian took control of the game for a few minutes. He started with a delightful long shot before dropping one over the top for Sian to convert in a text book example of training in action. Two more top-notch goals would follow as Midge then dropped a ball over the front defence of the opposition for Susan before Josh did exactly the same for Gareth.

Rachel soon got into the act before Sian dropped anther perfect diagonal ball that Brian effortlessly slotted home.

Susan claimed a long shot late in the half to take City in 1-12.

At half time, Rob and Elaine replaced the impressive Brian and Sian, and Aidan made his first team debut in place of the effervescent Gareth. All three were unlucky to be replaced, but the second half performance would show City's strength as all three new players seamlessly fitted in.

Josh opened the scoring in the second half before Horfield got one back. Another Cardiff goal soon followed to bring the score to 2-13. James scored his first before Horfield got another one back. The teams would then trade goals again before the new players settled and the against column stopped rising. Aiden would soon get into his debut feeding Susan. Josh added again before Elaine showed her skill to drop off in a veer.

A big long shot from James would show off his growing confidence, whilst Midge was showing off her fantastic fitness to storm past her player twice in quick succession late in the game. James made his third with a looping running in shot from miles out, before Rob capped an impressive display that deserved a goal and finished the scoring with a lovely running in shot off Elaine.

A 4-24 final scoreline was maybe slightly generous but can be attributed to a powerful display from 5 girls who have few equal in the region. Susan and Midge bagged 9 between them, Sian and Elaine looked constantly threatening in the halves they played, with Rachel not only scoring, but looking increasing comfortable dishing the ball around.

In a game short of first choice men, Josh was his consistent best, James scored three and like Rachel is looking more and more like a player to be reckoned with. Aidan and Gareth showed wonderful willing and running whilst Rob and especially Brian showed that lack of practice can't keep real quality down.

City should take great heart from this game, 10 scorers and only 4 against any team takes determination and finishing. Not only that, there was good variation in the goals, the majority coming from the feed, but the players able to score from 3-1 too.

City are fast looking like a real threat in the region. They'll only wish this was the start of the season and not half way through!

The new look firsts!

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