Port Talbot Town leapfrogged Abergavenny Women in the Welsh Premier Women’s League after claiming a 2-0 victory at Victoria Road.
The Steelwomen got off to a good start taking the lead early on with Laura-May Walkley scoring after three minutes. Terri Beddows made sure of the three points for Port Talbot with the second after 77 minutes.
Laura-May Walkley and Terri Beddows were on target for the Steelwomen as they maintained their unbeaten run. Port Talbot take the win and move into the fourth spot. The Pennies drop down to fifth after the loss and a win for Cardiff City.
As expected from two sides so close in the league this was a tight affair. Port Talbot made the better chances but Abergavenny always looked dangerous on the counter-attack. A large part of Port Talbot’s victory was due thanks to their resolute defending, catching Abergavenny offside and reacting quickly to clear attacks.
Bethan Lloyd had an early chance for Port Talbot but she hit her shot wide as The Steelwomen looked to take the game to their visitors.
They did get the game’s first goal after just three minutes. Laura-May Walkley’s well-struck volley to powerful for Zara Mujica Pernalete, the keeper unable to stop the ball from going into the net.
A Bethan Lloyd free-kick from the right of goal was fired in towards the Abergavenny keeper but this time safe hands from Pernalete denies Town a second early goal.
Port Talbot pushed for a second and had several corners with one from Maise Miller almost finding a way in at the far post.
While Port Talbot pressed forward, Abergavenny looked to hit the home side on the break. Utilising wide players Amy Williams and Caitlin Davies.
Davies had the chance to level the game as she passed a player in the box and created a shooting chance which was blocked for a corner. The corner was dropped into the near post but Port Talbot were able to clear.
Lauren Boyd pushed forward to send a teasing ball across the box towards the oncoming Caitlin Davies. Davies was unable to reach the ball and Port Talbot was able to regain possession.
Bethan Lloyd had a couple of chances as Port Talbot looked to strengthen their grip on the game. She hit a shot that was defected wide and had an effort from a free-kick which also went wide.
Abergavenny tried to play in behind the home sides’ defence but their through balls were met by Vicky Beddows who was out of her goal quickly to clear.
Walkley thought she had a second goal after 30 minutes. Putting the ball over Pernalete and into the net with a cheeky lob. The referee deemed her to have fouled in the process.
It wasn’t the best of days for Pernalete as she failed to keep hold of the ball again and gave Port Talbot a corner. The in-swinging corner was headed wide by Jesci Hare.
Vicky Beddows made a good save from Eliza Atkins after the Abergavenny player was able to find space for a shot. Shortly after Beddows denied Cerys Bufton who hit a shot after a good passing piece of play by the visitors.
Abergavenny looked to get back into the game after the break. Eliza Atkins twice breaking forward in the middle but stopped twice by Hare who was doing a lot of work protecting her centre-backs.
Port Talbot won a free-kick just outside the box after Bufton fouled Hare. Bethan Lloyd put the kick under the wall but she was wide of the goal.
Looking for a second goal the home side carried on pushing forward. Masie Miller made a good run passing Abergavenny players and cutting inside to have a shot. She put her shot high and wide of the goal.
Bethan Lloyd caused problems for the visitors again as she tested the hands of Pernalete.
The second half continued as the first with Port Talbot pressing forward and Abergavenny trying to hit the host on the break. Vicky Beddows was needed to come out and cleared an Abergavenny break. Moments later Terri Beddows made an important header to stop Abergavenny.
It was Terri Beddows who made sure of the win for Port Talbot after 77 minutes with a close-range header. After some head tennis in the box where Abergavenny had to clear several times. The ball ended up at the far post and Beddows was there to head in.
Walkley had a couple more chances to make it three but Pernalete was able to stop her efforts.
Ffion David who came on as a sub hit a shot from the edge of the box but the ball was met by a sliding block from Terri Beddows.
Port Talbot Town: Vicky Beddows, Carys Davies, Laura-May Walkley, Bethan Lloyd (Jess Denscombe 72), Chelsea Harris (C), Jesci Hare, Terri Beddows, Rachael Ball (Jodie Passmore 72), Jess Hammett, Courteney Thomas (Coryn Sexton 79), Maisie Miller
Goals: Laura-May Walkley 5, Terri Beddows 77
Yellow Cards: Jesci Hare 68
Abergavenny: Zara Mujica Pernalete, Megan Jones (Abigail Powell 63), Lauren Boyd, Mali Summers, Jessica Bennett, Olivia Barnes, Amy Williams, Ceri Hudson (C), Carys Bufton (Lauren Daniels 77), Caitlin Davies (Sian Bull 63), Eliza Atkins (Ffion David 63)
Yellow Cards: Lauren Boyd 17
(Featured Image: Aled Roberts)
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