CWMBRAN Celtic Ladies were back in action after several weeks off due to the weather in their last match.

They travelled to Cardiff City eager to get back on the pitch and play some football. But Cwmbran suffered the worst possible start when immediately a player was dismissed from the field of play for having a piecing.

Another player was sent from the game by the referee for the same reason. The game struggled to build momentum and it was Cardiff who had the upper hand when a third player was dismissed, turning the game farcical. It was Bradley who received a yellow card for not having removed her jewellery this time. With Cwmbran down to 10 players Cardiff struck and opened the scoring with striker Lisa Bird finding her way past the flurry of challenges. An early set back for the visitors also resulted in an early substitution which saw Davies in on the action much earlier than anticipated. Cwmbran settled and started to find their feet, still on the back foot for long spells but keeping Cardiff at bay. Keeper Walker was in fine form and the defence stayed solid whilst superbly marshalled by Meaney.

Cwmbran just lacked that final conviction in front of goal. Cardiff kept plugging away down both wings causing problems but everything was neatly dealt with by the young back four. The second half saw fresh legs and debuts for both Pike and Percival, a shuffle in position for players and what looked like a new lease of life in the visitors. Cwmbran started to carve out their own opportunities and earn themselves a few corners. Chances went begging, but opportunities were being created. Cardiff dealt Cwmbran the killer blow when a neat turn from striker Bird saw her shot squeeze into the bottom hand corner of the net and double Cardiff's advantage.

Cwmbran kept at it and started to worry Cardiff and force them into mistakes though.

Murphy found her self in on goal only for her poke to fall the wrong side of the post. Anthony was next to create an opening for herself when a low drive from the edge of the box produced a decent save. Cwmbran had their chances, but Cardiff made their chances count in front of goal in what proved to be the difference.

A positive performance from a young squad for Celtic saw plenty of promise. Cwmbran will travel away for a rearranged fixture with Newcastle Emlyn in their next game.