Port Talbot Town Ladies 3-3 Cyncoed Ladies: Late leveller from hatrick-hero Hare secures draw

16/05/2021 – Port Talbot 3-3 Cyncoed © Aled Roberts

Port Talbot Town and Cyncoed were forced to share the points after a six goal thriller at Victoria Road.

Jesci Hare gave the home side an early lead six minutes into the game, before her strike was cancelled out by Cyncoed Ladies striker Alison Witts.

The Mighty Oaks soon lead after versatile defender Grace Morris scored from the spot after 55 minutes, but the Blues fought back, as Hare grabbed her second of the afternoon.

In an action packed second half, Witts restored the Cyncoed lead with just seven minutes to go, only for Hare to equalise in the dying minutes with a stunning strike to seal her hat-trick.

Port Talbot controlled much of the first half and deserved their lead at the break, as Cyncoed struggled to break the home side’s strong offside trap.

The visitors came out strong in the second-half however, coming from two goals down in an action-packed second period that could have gone either way.

Port Talbot remain in fourth spot but now only have a one point lead over Abergavenny in fifth place, while Cyncoed remain sixth but extend their lead over Briton Ferry to two points.

Cyncoed won an early free kick which Olivia Barnett sent wide of the target, as the visitors looked to play the ball between the Port Talbot defenders, but the home side held their line.

The home side took the lead with just six minutes on the clock, after Coryn Sexton held off two Cyncoed defenders to lay the ball off to Hare, who fired home from the edge of the box.

Cyncoed striker Witts had a chance to level as the ball fell to her from close range, but her snapshot was straight at Vicky Beddows in the Port Talbot goal.

Jess Hammett tried a effort from outside the box but hit her shot wide of the target, as the Steelwomen pushed for a second goal.

For the Mighty Oaks, Witts looked the most likely to get her side back into the game, applying pressure on Beddows to win a corner through tireless pressing.

Port Talbot went close to getting their second with Hare firing a shot over, while Sexton also fired an effort over the bar.

Cyncoed came out for the second half fired up and put Port Talbot on the back foot.

Witts, who looked sharp all game, latched on to a through ball and was bearing down on goal, only for her low shot to be saved Beddows, but the ball bounced back of Witts into the net.

Just six minutes later, Cyncoed took the lead, as Megan Saunders was fouled inside the area, allowing Grace Morris to score from the spot.

Port Talbot responded well, with substutute Jessie Taylor almost set away, but Holly Broad came across with a strong tackle to stop the attack.

Cyncoed continued to threaten however, as Saunders and Witts both had shots that went wide of the mark.

For Port Talbot, Taylor and Hare both had opportunities to equalise, but fired wide as the home side looked to level the game.

The Steelwomen’s pressure paid off, as Hare’s free-kick from the edge of the box found the net.

With the game level, the contest was end to end as both side throw everything they had at each other.

The match swung in Cyncoed’s favour, as Witts was able to put the ball away after a scramble inside the six yard box on 83 minutes.

A frantic second half ended in dramatic fashion, as Port Talbot rescued a point in the final minute.

Hare hit a stunning strike from the edge of the box to secure a late equaliser.

In the dying minutes, Hare received a second yellow card as the game came to close to mark an eventful game for the Port Talbot midfielder.


Port Talbot Town: Vicky Beddows (G), Carys Davies, Terri Beddows, Chelsey Harris, Jesci Hare, Coryn Sexton (Jodie Passmore 67), Rachael Ball, Jess Hammett (C), Jess Denscombe (Bethan Lloyd 56), Nia Probert (Jessie Taylor 56), Maisie Miller.

Goals: Jesci Hare 6,76,90

Yellow Cards: Jesci Hare 63, Jodie Passmore 82,

Red Cards: Jesci Hare 90′

Cyncoed Ladies: Ruth Stanley (G), Grace Morris, Jessica Osborne, Clare Daley, Holly Broad (C), Caitlin Meadows, Kirstie Pervin-Davies (Millie Jones 45), Megan Saunders (Ellie Gunney 80), Ffion Spence, Olivia Barnett, Alison Witts.

Goals: Alison Witts 49, 83, Grace Morris 55 Pen.

(Featured Image: Aled Roberts)

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