Swansea City increased their lead at the top of the Welsh Premier Women’s League with a 2-0 victory over Briton Ferry Llansawel at Old Road.
Second-half goals from Chloe Chivers and Ellie Lake gave the Swans their ninth straight league victory, continuing a winning run from March 2019.
Colin Staples’ side move five points clear of second-placed Cardiff Met meanwhile Briton Ferry remain just a point above the drop zone.
Despite the defeat, Ferry defended well and contended with the league’s top scorers.
From the first whistle, Swansea City showcased why they’re the leagues’ top scorers. Chivers puts in an inch-perfect cross to Stacey John-Davis but the Swans forward fired over from close range.
The Swans had taken control of the game early on by dominating possession but the Ferry defence were equal to any Swansea attacks.
After riding out the Swansea storm of attacks, Briton Ferry had their own opportunity. Lucy Powell’s corner-kick caused some problems for Claire Skinner but the Swans cleared the danger.
From their own corner, Swansea almost scored as Jess Williams rose highest but her header went just the other side of the post.
Swansea sent the Ferry defence another warning of their quality as John-Davis forced Courtney Young into a low save after a low swiped effort.
Despite all the Swans pressure, Ferry did look a threat on the counter. Chelsea Deacon was impressing for the Reds down the flank and Renee Day was holding the attacking line well.
In the last chance of the half, Swansea almost conceded just their second league goal of the season as Lake almost slid the ball into her own net after blocking Day’s free-kick.
Swansea began the second-half like they did the first which was on the front foot and at full speed.
Alice Broadley was defending well and dealing with the attacking threat of Chivers and John-Davis.
Frustrations were beginning to tell for Swansea as Ferry’s resolute defending forced them into appealing for more set pieces.
Swansea were able to breathe a sigh of relief as they broke the deadlock on the hour mark through Chivers. Chivers delicately dinked the ball into an empty net after Young had committed to rushing out to the Swans midfielder.
Not content with just one chipped goal, Chivers tried another just a few minutes after her goal but Young was alert to her narrow-angled effort.
Briton Ferry had to ensure their heads wouldn’t drop by conceding a second and they did well to stop falling further behind.
Lowri Ridings first made a great tackle to deny John-Davis a clear route on goal having initially looked in a good position to strike home an effort.
Williams was an aerial presence for the Swans and almost had a goal when meeting Katy Hosford’s free-kick but her header went past the post.
Swansea City had their insurance goal with fifteen minutes and again it was a moment of brilliance.
Lake smacked a hopeful shot from 30 yards and in slow motion, her effort landed into the goal.
Lake’s goal took the sting out of Ferry’s attack and instead it was about damage limitation for them in what had been a respectful performance.
Georgia Howells made an assured tackle on Beynon to deny her a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Five minutes from time, Swansea almost furthered their lead as Ria Hughes forced Young to tip her long-distance effort over the bar that ultimately ended up as the last meaningful chance of the match.
Swansea make the short trip to Port Talbot on Sunday meanwhile Briton Ferry travel to Abergavenny.
Briton Ferry Llansawel: Courtney Young, Georgia Howells, Alice Broadley, Anya Welch, Renee Day (Jess Pascoe, 88), Lowri Ridings (C), Nia Davies, Lucy Powell (Megan Kearle, 77), Ela Roberts, Chelsea Deacon (Sophie Topper, 86), Alexsie Clayton.
Swansea City: Claire Skinner, Alicia Powe, Ellie Lake, Emma Beynon, Kelly Adams, Ria Hughes, Chloe Chivers, Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davis (Laura Davies, 75), Tija Richardson, Jessica Williams.
Goals: Chloe Chivers 60, Ellie Lake 75′
Recap Swansea City’s 2-0 win by reading through our live blog as-it-happened:
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