Swansea City got back to winning ways with a 3–0 victory over a battling Cyncoed Ladies at the USW Sports Park.
Ellie Lake’s deflected effort in the first period gave the Swans the lead, before a superb second-half strike by Emma Benyon and substitute Jessica Williams’ late goal made sure of the three points.
The victory sees the Swans take a three point lead over title rivals Cardiff Metropolian University, who face Abergavenny Women this weekend.
Despite a resistant and competitive display, Cyncoed remain sixth in the Welsh Premier Women’s League table with 12 points, as their winless run is extended to six games.
The Swans came out on the front foot and looked to take an early lead, as winger Katy Hosford did well to find midfielder Benyon, who had a shot blocked from inside the box.
Another chance for Staples’ side, as Hosford’s dangerous corner delivery was met by midfielder Kelly Adams, who headed narrowly wide.
Despite the Mighty Oaks’ early resistance, the Swans took the lead in the 18th minute.
Hosford, who was a threat on the left-wing, crossed for right-back Lake, whose effort from inside the box deflected off an unfortunate Grace Morris and found the net.
Having taken the lead, the Swans continued to have control of possession and put pressure on Cyncoed, who competed well.
Striker Stacey John-Davis got in-behind the Mighty Oaks’ defence, but was denied well by captain Holly Broad.
Another chance came for John-Davis shortly after, as she turned Hosford’s cross towards goal, only for left-back Ellie Gunney to clear off the line.
An attribute of Cyncoed this season has been their compactness and difficulty to break down, as they competed well with the Swans in the first half, who went into the interval with a narrow 1-0 lead.
At the start of the second half, the Mighty Oaks had a glorious opportunity to level proceedings as lively winger Rhianne Oakley broke free on the left and squared to striker Alison Witts, whose effort was saved by Clare Skinner.
The Swans showed their quality by punishing Cyncoed for not taking their chance, as they doubled their lead.
Midfielder Benyon’s superb strike from the left wing beat Maisie Jones in the Cyncoed goal to put Staples’ side in a commanding position.
The Swans continued to put the hosts under pressure and in such a close title-race, looked to add to their goal difference.
Defender Shaunna Jenkins, who looked composed throughout, went close to adding a third, as she rattled the woodwork from a free-kick.
Hosford found joy out on the left wing for the visitors and posed a danger, as her shot from inside the area was well saved by Jones.
Cyncoed’s shot-stopper was again called into action, denying Laura Davies, before John-Davis’ effort from the rebound was heroically cleared off the line by Morris.
The Mighty Oaks continued to battle well and went close to reducing the deficit, as winger Oakley got in behind the Swans defence and forced a save out of Skinner.
In the final ten minutes, Swansea continued to press for a third goal and found just that, as substitute Williams’ delivery into the box beat Jones in the Cyncoed goal.
The final chance of the game fell to Swans midfielder Ria Hughes, who was found free in the box, but fired wide of the mark.
As Benyon and Williams’ second-half strikes added to Lake’s goal in the first period, Swansea claimed a 3-0 win against a competitive and determined Cyncoed.
The victory sees Staples’ side put pressure on title rivals Cardiff Metropolitan University, as they travel to face Abergavenny this weekend.
Cyncoed Ladies: Maisie Jones, Grace Morris, Jessica Osborne, Clare Daley, Holly Broad ©, Ellie Gunney (Eleanor Lambert 65’), Seren Watkins, Kirstie Pervin-Davies (Megan Saunders 65’), Rhianne Oakley (Kerry Moore 77’), Olivia Barnett, Alison Witts
Swansea City: Clare Skinner, Alicia Powe ©, Shaunna Jenkins (Jessica Williams 71’), Ellie Lake, Kelly Adams, Ria Hughes, Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davies, Laura Davies, Emma Benyon, Tija Richardson (Nieve Jenkins 65’)
Goals: Ellie Lake 18’, Emma Benyon 49’, Jessica Williams 83’
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