Aberystwyth Town 1-1 Briton Ferry Llansawel: Instinctive Cooper free-kick secures Aber a point at Park Avenue

Caroline Cooper’s instinctive second-half free-kick cancelled out Lucy Powell’s penalty as Aberystwyth and Briton Ferry drew 1-1 at Park Avenue.

Both goals came against the run of play, with Aber’s quickly-taken free-kick coming when the visitors looked like they would double their lead.

The Seasiders were awarded a set-piece for a foul on the edge of the area, with Cooper taken it quickly before the Briton Ferry players had prepared.

The draw sees Aber pick up their first point of the season, however they still sit at the foot of the table, three points behind this afternoon’s opponents.

Both sides showed some promising moments given the long break since their last match, but lacked a cutting edge in attack to win the game.

It was Aberystwyth who enjoyed the majority of the ball in the early stages, but they struggled to create chances, forcing Emily Thomas to drop deep and collect the ball.

The Wales under-17 international looked the most dangerous for the hosts, but was unable to get into areas where she could test the Briton Ferry goalkeeper.

The visitors looked at their most dangerous on the counter, with Ela Roberts causing problems for the Aber back line.

They were briefly without Roberts for a few minutes while she had to leave the field following a tough 50-50 which left her needing treatment.

The Reds were awarded a penalty when Renee Day was brought down inside the area before she was able to get a pass or shot away. Lucy Powell stepped up and sent it to the keeper’s left to give her side the lead.

Ferry almost doubled their advantage within a minute of going ahead when Caitlin Owen turned a corner just wide of the post.

Aber would make them pay by equalising just before the hour mark, when Cooper’s quick set-piece caught the opposition napping.

Andrew Evans thought his side had taken the lead 10 minutes later when Emily Thomas‘ through ball found Bethan Roberts, her dinked shot looked to have gone in but had actually deflected over for a corner.

Aberystwyth could have been reduced to ten players 15 minutes from time when Ffion Ashman tripped Caitlin Owen on the edge of the box. She escaped with just a yellow, with the referee adjudging that she hadn’t denied a clear goalscoring opportunity – much to the anger of the visitors.

The final 10 minutes were very open, perhaps down to a lack of match fitness, leaving space for players to exploit. Both managers will be disappointed that their sides were unable to find a winner late on as both teams had opportunities to score a second goal.

Aberystwyth: Ffion Ashman, Phoebe West, Bethan Roberts, Caroline Cooper, Emily Thomas, Libby Isaac, Caryl Evans (Dwynwen Davies, 83), Flavia Jenkins, Josie Pugh, Catrin Evans (Eloise Jenkins, 62), Niamh Duggan Goals: Caroline Cooper 56’

Yellow Cards: Ffion Ashman 74’

Briton Ferry: Courtney Young, Alice Broadley, Nia Davies, Lexi Clayton (Laura Braithwaite, 82) Lowri Ridings, Anya Welch, Lucy Powell, Renee Day (Megan Kearle, 59), Ela Roberts, Lowri Baker, Hannah Thomas (Caitlin Owen, 46)

Goals: Lucy Powell (pen) 41’

Yellow Cards: Lexi Clayton 66’

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(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)