Port Talbot Town 5-1 Cyncoed Ladies: Five-star Steelwomen end four-game winless run with fine showing

Port Talbot Town comfortably defeated Cyncoed Ladies 5-1 to claim their first win of the Welsh Premier Women’s League Cup. 

A quick-fire brace from Bethan Lloyd gave the Steelwomen a first-half before Lauren Amor and Nia Probert added to their tally.

Caitlin Bevan added a consolation for the Mighty Oaks but Jessica Desncombe restored Port Talbot’s four goal margin of victory. 

The heavy defeat sees Cyncoed bow out of the Cup following the defeat, meanwhile Hayley Williams’ side puts them in a position to challenge.

On a torrential Sunday afternoon at Victoria Road, the hosts took little time to assert their dominance over the visitors. Almost immediately, Cyncoed were on the back foot and Town created a host of chances to apply pressure early on.

Talbot winger Bethan Lloyd played a pivotal role in her side’s imposing introduction as she adventurously bombed down the right flank with intent, exhibiting great dynamism as she subdued The Mighty Oaks to a shaky start.

It wasn’t long before her awe-inducing approach to proceedings payed dividends though, as she found the back of the net after twenty minutes with a composed finish just inside the area to give the hosts a deserved advantage.

Just two minutes later, Lloyd struck gold once more at Victoria Road- although it owed to a huge deflection from Cyncoed’s Maisie Jones. Nonetheless, the Steelwomen were in cruise control and displayed no signs of slowing down in what was looking to be an enjoyable affair for Hayley Williams’ supreme side.

In spite of their struggles, seventeen year old starlet Seren Watkins shone in a dimmed Cyncoed side. Deployed in the number 10 role, the impressive youngster caught the eye with her vision and creativity throughout the afternoon. Combining excellently with forward Alison Witts, Watkins dispatched a menacing through ball into her path as the visitors looked to get themselves back into the game.

However, Witts was unable to crack the astute Port Talbot backline as they nullified the threat by applying fantastic pressure onto the attacker, who could only glare in frustration as her rushed effort blazed over the bar.

Sparing no sympathy to their tormented opponents, Talbot continued to ask questions of Cyncoed’s Maisie Jones as they attacked relentlessly. However, The Mighty Oaks were afforded a rare chance of resurgence when Witts found herself one on one with Town stopper Victoria Beddows following a quick break. Looking to make amends for her miss earlier on in the first half, Witts released a powerful effort but much to the attacker’s dismay, her strike sailed over the goal.

After the break, the Steelwomen picked up where they left off prior to the interval, enjoying the lions share of possession and applying pressure to the vulnerable visitors. But then, a moment of magic occurred.

Talbot midfielder Lauren Amor, who had been in fine form all afternoon for the hosts, earned a free kick in a position of real promise at Victoria Road. Confidently, courageously and captivatingly, the twenty three year old unleashed a scintillating strike which nestled beautifully into the top right-hand corner- leaving Jones powerless to prevent such perfection.

Extending their lease of superiority on the affair, Talbot remained in the driving seat and crafted a host of opportunities in their quest to find the back of the net once more.

A key performer over the course of the match, Talbot’s Bethan Lloyd was persistent in her ambitions to seal her hat trick as she terrorised The Mighty Oaks with her pace and endeavour down the right flank.

With just under twenty minutes to go, an already-agonising afternoon for Cyncoed worsened as Hayley Williams’ side found the back of the net for the fourth time on the day. Maisie Jones, who was left wanting after a severe lapse of concentration, could only watch in anguish as Nia Probert’s tame long range effort bounced over her head in disappointing fashion.

Although the visitors pulled one back through Caitlin Bevan, Port Talbot immediately responded as Jessica Denscombe found the bottom right-hand corner of the goal with a cool finish to restore the hosts’ aura of dominance.

Port Talbot Town: Victoria Beddows, Bethan Lloyd, Laura-may Walkley, Terri Beddows, Coryn Sexton, Courteney Thomas, Jessica Hammett, Lauren Amor, Jessica Denscombe, Nia Probert, Jesci Hare.

Goals: Bethan Lloyd 20, 21, Lauren Amor 50, Nia Prober 71, Jessica Denscombe 84’ 

Cyncoed Ladies: Maisie Jones, Grace Morris, Jessica Osborne, Millie Jones, Clare Daley (C), Caitlin Meadows, Seren Watkins, Rhianne Oakley, Caitlin Bevan Monet Legall, Allison Witts.

Goals: Caitlin Bevan 83′

Recap as Port Talbot Town Ladies run riot against Cyncoed Ladies at Victoria Road:

(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)