Page 14 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.3 2022-23

Cardiff City Women have got off to a great start in
the Genero Adran Premier this season and on
Sunday, they underlined their credentials as title
challengers when they beat reigning Champions
Swansea City 2-0 with two goals from Phoebie Poole.
Hollie Smith was a part of the Cardiff defence
which kept a third successive clean sheet in the
Swansea game and she told us that everyone at the
club was ‘really pleased’ with the result. The Under-
19 international also admitted that winning the
FAW Women’s Cup has given the team a lot of
confidence and that they are aiming to keep their
defensive record going as long as they can:
WSS: Congratulations on a great result for
you against Swansea on Sunday, how
pleased were you with that?
HS: We’re really pleased with the result. We didn’t start great but we rode the wave and
got ourselves in front. After our first goal, I felt we dominated the majority of the game
from there on out. It doesn’t get much better than a South Wales derby win.
WSS: After the two first half goals, did you find yourself under much pressure
from Swansea in the second half?
HS: I don’t think we really felt under much pressure after our two goals. We know we are
defensively solid and it was going to be a very difficult task for the Swans to overturn our
two-goal lead. There were a few nervy moments with them hitting the bar but equally, we
had chances at the other end, so it evened itself out.
WSS: Two more goals as well from Phoebie Poole who has started the season
in really good form, how big a boost is it to have a striker of her ability?
HS: Phoebie has been great this season but it’s nothing new to us. Working with her
week-in week-out, we all know she’s a class above. She can get us goals from nothing, so
we always have that hope when things maybe aren’t going our way. It’s not only her
goalscoring ability, but also her ability in the build up play, holding the ball up and getting
others involved. She has really developed her all-round game.
WSS: At the other end, it is a third straight clean sheet, is that something that
you place great importance upon?
HS: We are the only team yet to concede this season and that is something we are looking
to continue. The emphasis before and at half time of the Swans game was to not concede.
We know if we don’t concede, there is a high chance we go on to win the game. We have
defenders that love defending and as a team, our transition from attack to defence has
really developed since the end of last season.
WSS: This week you make the short trip to Barry Town United, who have got
off to a good start themselves. What kind of game are you expecting against
them?
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