Cardiff Met 1-2 Swansea City: Late winner from Shaunna Jenkins hands Swansea early title advantage
Cardiff, WALES - 5 September, 2021: Chloe Chivers of Swansea City in action against Steph Turner of Cardiff Met. Cardiff Metropolitan University v Swansea City in the Genero Adran Premier at Cyncoed Campus on the 5th September 2021. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
A late winner from Shaunna Jenkins sees Swansea City fight from behind to pick up a 2-1 victory over title rivals Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Campus.
A returning Emily Allen gave the Students the lead in the first half with a fantastic strike into the bottom corner which left Claire Skinner no chance.
Stacey John-Davis drew The Swans level minutes into the second half before Jenkins wrapped up the 3 points in the 88th minute.
The first chance fell to Chloe Chivers who was caught in two minds whether to cross or shoot, she opted to fire at goal, but her effort sailed wide of the post.
Having concede only once last season, Swansea matched that number within 11 minutes when Emily Allen gave Cardiff Met an early lead.
Taylor O’Leary chipped the ball over the Swansea defenders into the path of Allen she fired the ball in off the post, into the bottom corner.
Just two minutes later John-Davis struck the post from close range, but it wouldn’t have counted as the ball had run out of play during the build-up.
As The Swans tried to get themselves back into the game, they were forced into rushing their play by some excellent teamwork by the Students.
After a disappointing first half Chris Church’s side came out of the blocks quickly in the second half.
They were back on level terms just minutes into the second half as John-Davis raced onto an excellent Chivers pass before dinking the ball over Sweeny.
The chance came after the visitors won the ball back in the midfield before Chivers played a cutting pass straight through the heart of the Cardiff Met defence.
On 51 minutes the roles were reversed as John-Davis played in Chivers who couldn’t keep her effort under the bar.
Sophie Hancocks went close to restoring Cardiff Met’s lead as she looked to catch out Skinner with a freekick, but the Swans goalkeeper tipped it onto the crossbar.
As the second half progressed Jenkins’ influence on the game grew with her long balls causing the hosts problems.
It was a Jenkins pass that carved out a chance for Swansea to grab a winner as substitute Rhian Oakley ran in on goal but Sweeney was equal to her cross.
Allen was denied a second on her return to Cyncoed Campus as Skinner raced off the line to beat
Met were forced to pay for that missed chance as Oakley raced onto a long ball from Jenkins to win a penalty for Swansea.
Lady luck was on Swansea’s side as Jenkins struck the crossbar from 12 yards before the ball rebounded off John-Davis back into the path of Jenkins who fired home from close range.
The win sees Swansea gain an early advantage in the race for the first Adran League title.
Cardiff Met Line Up
Annabel Sweeney, Lucy Finch, Hannah Mills, Stephanie Turner (C), Sophie Hanocks, Amy Long, Emily Richards (Shannon Evans, 61), Erin Murray, Emily Allen, Elianna Chavez, Taylor O’Leary
Goal: Emily Allen 11’
Yellow Cards: Taylor O’Leary 31’, Lucy Finch 78′
Swansea Line Up
Claire Skinner, Ellie Lake, Alica Powe (C), Shaunna Jenkins, Emma Beynon, Kelly Adams (Laura Davies, 73′), Ria Hughes, Chloe Chivers (Rhian Oakley, 79), Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davis, Tija Richardson
Goals: John-Davis 49’
Yellow Cards: John-Davis 17’
