Swansea City moved to the top of the Welsh Premier Women’s League after comfortably beating Cascade Ladies at CSE Ystrad Mynach.
A hat-trick from Katy Hosford, as well as a strike from Kelly Adams, secured a commanding victory for Colin Staples‘ side.
The Swans were thoroughly deserving of their three points, dominating possession and completely controlling the match, however, Hollie Williams can take solace in her performance which kept the scoreline respectable for the newly-promoted side.
Swansea City have won all of their games this season, scoring 24 and conceding only one in the league so far.
The Swans began the game in possession and from the off it proved hard for Cascade to take the ball from their opponents.
A foul from Casey Thomas on Hosford presented a key attacking opportunity for the away side. Hosford’s free-kick on the far side of the pitch went over everyone, including goalkeeper Hollie Williams, to open her account for the season and the scoring with their first chance.
The fleet-footed Hosford then quickly went in search of her second goal but was denied by Williams when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Despite the Swans being a possession-based side, it was a ball over the top which saw them claim their second goal. Chloe Chivers played a ball to Adams to chase, and the Swans midfielder scored with a composed finish.
Stacy John-Davis, the league’s top scorer, searched for a goal of her own, but her shot from a tight angle was saved at the near post of the Cascade keeper.
The Swans further increased their advantage on the half-hour mark. John-Davis found Hosford, already on one goal for the afternoon, and she duly obliged with a finish from close-range.
John-Davis was proving influential, but was finding it hard to open her account. Her shot cannoned off of the post after a silky passing move from her teammates.
On the hunt for her hat-trick, Hosford shot from distance, but her effort was well saved by Williams who dived down well to deny the forward.
Chivers was showing glimpses of class for the Swans, but her quest for a goal continued as her swiped shot was easily saved by the goalkeeper.
In the last chance of the half, she almost had her goal, but after meeting Hosford’s delicious cross, Chivers was unable to turn it home with a wayward header.
The second-half was quieter than the first, but the Swans were still creating plenty of opportunities.
Cascade, however, had found some solidity at the back and were forcing the Swans higher up the pitch.
On the hour, John-Davis’ thumped effort was tipped away as she looked to add to her nine goals this season.
Chivers, who had a similar afternoon in front of goal to John-Davis, hit the crossbar with a corner-kick, but it wasn’t a set-piece which looked like it would trouble.
Hosford had somewhat of a quiet spell in the second-half, but she was able to bag her hat-trick with 15 minutes remaining.
Still with energy in the tank, she broke down the unguarded flank and ran into the box to lace her shot past the despairing Williams.
Undeterred by the scoreline, Williams continued to pull off some goalkeeping heroics to keep the scoreline down. Adams found John-Davis from close-range but the Cascade keeper pulled off a superb stop from point-blank range.
Cascade Ladies: Hollie Williams, Sophie Hamer, Casey Thomas, Daisy Evan-Watkins, Katie Davies ©, Lana Cooper, Chrystalla Moreton (Franchescha Gilpin, 62), Abbie Davies (Amelia Mills, 35), Mia Kemp, Aimee Jones, Zoe Anthony (Charli Carroll, 62)
Yellow Cards: Abbie Davies 26′
Swansea City: Claire Skinner, Alicia Powe (Shaunna Jenkins, 60), Ellie Lake, Kelly Adams, Ria Hughes, Chloe Chivers (Molly Cana, 77), Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davis, Laura Davies, Tija Richardson (Nieve Jenkins, 70), Jess Williams.
Goals: Katy Hosford 4, 30, 75, Kelly Adams 22′
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