Cyncoed Ladies 2-0 Aberystwyth Town : the Mighty Oaks get their first win of the season
A long-range strike from Seren Watkins and a poacher’s finish from Alison Witts was the difference between the two sides.
Cyncoed Ladies were lively from the start. The home-side came close in the third minute when Ellie Gunney had a shot from inside the six-yard-box saved by Ffion Ashman.
Alison Witts was the Mighty Oaks’ standout performer in the first half. In the eighth minute she showcased her flair as she picked the ball up deep in midfield before beating a few defenders and playing a though ball down the line.
The visitors were next to come close as Libby Isaac was found in the box from a Caryl Evans cross. Her shot went wide of the post.
In the 23rd minute, Witts used her height to her advantage as she very nearly broke the deadlock for Cyncoed with a powerful header from a corner. Ashman did exceptionally well to recover and save.
Witts came close again just three minutes later as she spotted Ashman off her line before striking from 40 yards out. Her shot beat the keeper but couldn’t beat the woodwork as it bounced off the crossbar before being cleared by Pippa Richards.
Grace Morris was next to have a chance for the hosts when her shot from the edge of the box caused the goalkeeper to parry the ball out for a corner.
Towards to the end the second half, Aberystwyth Town began defending brilliantly. Leading the defence vocally was Kelly Thomas.
Witts had the first chance of the second half as her attempt from the edge of the box was just too high.
One minute later, Isaac had another chance for the Seasiders as she cut in from the left and shot wide of the post.
In the 52nd minute, Witts almost took the lead as she had an attempt from just outside the six-yard-box saved excellently by Ashman.
Ellie Gunney had a shot cleared off the line by Lucie Gwilt after she beat the goalkeeper in the 58th minute with the game still tied.
Cyncoed were left wondering how they still hadn’t scored five minutes later as Grace Morris hit the post with a shot from inside the box.
The hosts came close again when they had two chances denied in quick succession. The first was a close-range shot from Witts that was saved by Ashman. The second came from Millie Jones who was first to react to the goalkeeper’s parry before having a shot of her own blocked by Pippa Richards.
Seren Watkins finally broke the deadlock with a super-strike from range in the 72nd minute. This was the midfielder’s first goal for the club.
Aberystwyth Town pushed bodies forward in the dying moments with hopes of grabbing an equaliser.
Alison Witts finally got her goal in injury time as she reacted first to score from a rebound to secure all three points for the home side.
Cyncoed Ladies-
Maisie Jones, Grace Morris, Jessica Osborne, Millie Jones, Clare Daley, Holly Broad (C), Caitlin Meadows (Anna Delf 74’), Ellie Gunney (Juliet Nottingham 82’), Seren Watkins, Kirstie Pervin-Davies, Alison Witts.
Goals-
Seren Watkins (72’), Alison Witts (90′).
Aberystwyth Town Ladies-
Ffion Ashman, Bethan Roberts, Kelly Thomas, Caroline Cooper (C), Libby Isaac, Caryl Evans, Dwynwen Davies, Pippa Richards (Cadi Williams 79’), Catrin Evans, Lucie Gwilt (Deborah Hamer 59’), Niamh Duggan (Alaw Davies 74’).
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(Featured Image: John Smith/FAW)
