Cardiff City Ladies Development 0

Dinas Ladies 2

THE Dinas Powys 'Villagers' knew a result would put the pressure on the chasing pack and also put one hand on the league trophy.

Dinas thought they had opened the scoring as Kelly Tuck powered a header against the bar from an early corner, with a trade mark set piece move.

This was to be the only real chance of the first 45 minutes as the visitors struggled to cope with the home sides movement and were caught ball watching to many times, but they battled away and at 0 - 0 were always in the game.

Cardiff City proved a tough nut to crack as they played very well finding their passes and moving the ball at speed for a young team.

After a few harsh words and a change in shape Dinas set about their jobs and controlled the tempo of the game.

The midfield certainly got to grips with the middle of the park, Alex Allen, Jo Jones and Nao got on top winning their battles.

Molly Chapman and Demi Bounds played deeper roles and their ability to defend and attack was crucial in this half as they did the donkey shift wide.

Vicki Elison broke the deadlock after 10 minutes of the restart through a set piece corner powering a header in at the back post.

Dinas just grew into the game and the ever green Laura Murray asked to do the front line on her own held the ball up and showed why she is such a vital player in this team.

Fifteen minutes later little Nao who was seeing much more of the ball beat a couple of players to create the space for a well-placed shot that eased the stress the levels on the side of the pitch.

Nao should have added another following fast thinking from Murray but slotted her header wide from five yards.

Dinas’ season has been built on a solid defence and today this was no different.

Alicia Cox, Leanne Pattermore, Kelly Tuck, Rachel Beare and Vicki Elison have very simple instructions.

Head it, tackle and find the final third, Real Madrid we are not.

This is something they do very well with the best defensive record in the league.

Backing them up is Naomi Wilson who looks very at home between the sticks for a striker.

Player of the match unanimously has to go to Vicki Elison who has been waiting patiently on the bench to get her start and never moans, she just gets her head down and trains hard.

Elison capped a fine performance today scoring and not allowing her wide player to get past her at all.

The same can be said for every member of the squad, train hard play harder, plus the social sides are always entertaining.

Massive thanks to Sarah Cayton and her staff at Cardio Core Fitness who have improved not only the under-14s fitness but got the ladies fitter than they have every been to match these young teams.

Dinas now require one point from their two remaining games and travel to Abertillery Belles next Sunday looking to grasp the title something this squad of players fully deserve as they have been a credit to the league and club.