Swansea City Ladies 0-0 Abergavenny Women: Swans seal WPWL title win
Swansea City were crowned champions of the Welsh Premier Women’s League with a 0-0 stalemate against Abergavenny Women at Llandarcy Academy of Sport.
Despite Emma Benyon’s missed penalty in the second period, the Swans got the point they needed to secure the title.
Colin Staples’ side’s draw means title rivals Cardiff Met narrowly miss out, trailing in the final standings by a point.
Abergavenny rise to fourth in the table, leapfrogging Port Talbot Town on the final day.
The Swans started on the front foot and applied early pressure on the visitors, with Hosford forcing a save out of Zara Pernalete from distance.
The hosts continued their positive start, as Laura Davies’ cross was fired over by defender Shaunna Jenkins.
Despite Swansea’s early chances, Abergavenny looked competitive and defended resolutely, with the partnership of Jess Bennett and Elena Scrivens standing strong.
Staples’ side controlled possession and launched waives of attack, but found difficulty in breaking the Pennies down.
The Swans continued to create half-chances however, as Hosford found space on the left to cross for John-Davis, who headed wide.
John-Davies was involved in another Swans attack, as the striker laid the ball off for Tija Richardson to fire wide of the post.
As the two sides went into the break goalless, Swansea were left frustrated by a strong defensive showing from the visitors.
Staples’ side started the second period on the attack and could have gone ahead as Davies was bundled over in the box, with a penalty awarded to the hosts.
Midfielder Benyon stepped up to the spot, but was denied by a fantastic save from Pernalete.
The Swans continued to apply pressure however, as Hosford looked set to score at the back post, only to be denied by some great defending from Megan Jones.
Despite the hosts’ numerous attacks, Staples’ side continued to be frustrated by an excellent performance from Pernalete.
The Pennies goalkeeper was on-hand to pull off a great save to deny Hosford, who drove a powerful effort towards the bottom corner.
Substitute Chloe Chivers went close to making an instant impact, as she struck an effort slightly over from distance.
Abergavenny had a positive spell of possession in the second period and competed well with the Swans, but failed to trouble Claire Skinner.
As the hosts looked for a late winner, John-Davis raced through on goal, only for Bennett to put in a fantastic recovery tackle.
From the resulting corner, a goalmouth scramble saw the ball cleared off the line by Jones, as the Swans went close once again.
Despite a positive spell late-on from Abergavenny, both sides settled for a point, as Swansea claim the title.
Swansea City Ladies: Claire Skinner, Alicia Powe (C), Shaunna Jenkins, Ellie Lake, Emma Benyon, Kelly Adams, Ria Hughes, Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davis, Laura Davies (Chloe Chivers 62’), Tija Richardson in
Abergavenny Women: Zara Pernalete, Megan Jones, Elena Scrivens, Jess Bennett, Olivia Barnes (Caitlin Davies 68’), Sian Bull, Ceri Hudson (C), Lyndsey Davies, Eliza Atkins (Ffion David 79’), Lauren Boyd, Amy Williams
Swansea City defender Shaunna Jenkins:
“Obviously, it’s been a very tough season for everyone with COVID. We had a big break around Christmas time and with fixtures changing, it’s been hard.
“In the past three weeks, we’ve had six games, but we dug deep as a team and got through it together.
“We thoroughly deserved the league. Everyone knows how good we are as a team. We showed that last season and showed it again this year.”
