Cascade YC Ladies 0-3 Abergavenny Women: Trio of goals strengthen Abergavenny’s top-four hopes

Abergavenny Women increased their hopes of a top-four finish with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Cascade Ladies at CSE Ystrad Mynach.

Goals from Amy Williams, Lauren Boyd and Eliza Atkins gave the free-flowing away side the victory.

Abergavenny are now only one point off Port Talbot in fourth but the former have a game in hand on the latter.

The first chance of the game fell to Lyndsey Davies, whose attempt from outside the area flew wide of the far post.

Caitlin Davies was next to try her luck from range, but Hollie Williams saved well.

Defender Jessica Bennett was found in the box by a corner, but her shot was blocked.

Hollie Williams showcased her shot-stopping capabilities once again with an assured save at her near post from a Lauren Boyd attempt.

Cascade were almost dealt a blow as Abergavenny came close to opening the scoring from a counterattack. Amy Williams dribbled strongly but shot too high.

The visitors took the lead through a superb goal from Amy Williams. The attacker tried her luck from far out and her attempt flew over Hollie Williams and into the back of the net.

They came close to doubling their lead minutes after, as Olivia Barnes provided a cross to Caitlin Davies who was unmarked in the box, but she couldn’t make a connection with the ball.

Megan Jones fired a ball across the face of goal with venom just before half-time, but it was unable to be turned in.

In the second half, Abergavenny continued to create more opportunities as they remained keen to impress in their penultimate fixture.

Amy Williams nearly added her tally as her quick footwork allowed her to find space for an attempt. Her shot, however, was denied by Hollie Williams.

A corner found Amy Williams free at the back post, but she was unlucky as her shot went just wide of the post.

The advantage was doubled with 25 minutes left to play as Lauren Boyd found the back of the net with the outside of the boot from the corner of the box.

Abergavenny had a massive penalty appeal as it seemed Aliza Atkins had been brought down in the area, but the referee waved play on.

Bennett was comfortable at the heart of defence throughout and showcased her defensive prowess with a block on Lana Cooper’s attempt.

Atkins was unfortunate not to add a third. She was played through on goal but fired wide of the post.

She did then, however, make up for the earlier miss as she slotted home after being played on goal by Sian Bull.

Cascade Ladies’ Sian Rees said: “I’m proud of the team effort today from Cascade Ladies.

The team are playing with injuries, we have had double fixtures in the last few weeks and we are still giving 100.%”

Cascade Ladies: Hollie Williams, Sophie Hamer (Jodie Bowles 76’), Charli Carroll, Bethan Evans, Daisy Evan-Watkins, Lana Cooper, Chrystalla Moreton, Annaliese Lewis (C), Abbie Davies (Franchescha Gilpin 56’), Mia Kemp, Amelia Mills (Zoe Anthony 76’).

Abergavenny Women: Chelsea Herbert, Sian Bull, Abigail Powell, Mali Summers (C), Jessica Bennett, Olivia Barnes, Megan Jones (Lauren Daniels 57’), Amy Williams (Eliza Atkins 65’), Lyndsey Davies, Caitlin Davies (Carys Bufton 76’), Lauren Boyd.

Goals: Amy Williams (33’), Lauren Boyd (67’), Eliza Atkins (80’).

(Featured image: Will Cheshire)