Barrow's late goal salvages a point for City; WOMEN'S FOOTBALL.

CARDIFF City Ladies' first home game of the season in the FA Tesco Women's Premier League Southern Division saw them share the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw against Londoners West Ham.

It took the visitors just eight minutes to get on the scoresheet when Kayleigh Xidhas rounded a City defender out on the left hand side and Cardiff goalkeeper Rhian Nokes was unable to hold a tame shot which skimmed over her head into the back of the net.

West Ham took control of the game and shortly after the goal they won a corner which central defender Rosie Sullivan headed just over the cross bar.

Several Cardiff players looked jaded after having been on international duty recently, and they struggled to keep up with the pace of the game.

On 20 minutes it was youngster Lisa Bird who put Cardiff back into the game when a lovely weighted pass from midfielder Nicola Cousins sat up perfectly for her to smash the ball spectacularly past West Ham 'keeper Toni-Ann Wayne for the equaliser.

With Cardiff's heads up, Cousins linked up well with Zoe Atkins to set Bird free out on the right wing, but her low cross went begging across the goalmouth despiteMarie Barrows' desperate attempt to connect with the ball at the far post.

It was the Hammers who came out stronger at the restart and although they had a series of corners, Cardiff's defence held firm, although they found it difficult to keep possession.

It wasn't until the 65th minute that the Cardiff defence was breached for a second time when Gemma Shepherd's free-kick gave the visitors the lead.

Shortly afterwards, an Ellie Davies throw saw Sophie Ingle cleverly flick the ball into the path of the hard-working Cousins who turned and volleyed inches over the cross bar.

In the 73rd minute Davies was replaced by Rachel Cullen as Cardiff pressed for another equaliser.

Ingle tried her luck with a tremendous strike, after being set up by Atkins, but Wayne was equal to it, parrying the ball away for a corner which came to nothing.

West Ham tried to seal the points when Holly Griffin crossed for Shepherd, but her header went just wide of the post.

With only two minutes left on the clock, Cousins passed the ball across the field and Barrow was there to hammer home a well-earned Cardiff equaliser.

However, it wasn't without its controversy. The referees' assistant flagged to indicate that there were two balls on the field of play but the referee, Dale Hames, waved play on, as the ball was a metre from the touchline and not interfering with play.

After the goal was awarded, the West Ham players protested, but Mr Hames stood by his decision.

CAPTION(S):

Marie Barrow Cardiff City's Nicola Cousins set up the equalising goal for Marie Barrow