Port Talbot Town 3-2 Barry Town United: Depleted Steelwomen claim first win of season
Port Talbot Town claimed their first win of the season over Barry Town United at Victoria Road. Having lead the Steelwomen found themselves behind but came back to win the game.
Vicky Beddows opened the scoring after nine minutes with Port Talbots first goal of the season. Anna Houghton equalised after 20 minutes and Barry lead after 30 minutes thanks to a Lauren Harris goal. Jessie Taylor levelled the game up after 51 minutes and Courtney Thomas got the winner after 67 minutes.
Port Talbot started better and pushed Barry back into their own half. Barry struggled to find quality passes in the final third early on and Port Talbot deservedly took the lead. While struggling to find quality when they did Barry were effective and by the half hour mark took the lead. Port Talbot started the second well and were soon level. Barry continued to struggle in the final third, and found it difficult against Port Talbots physical play. Port Talbot took the lead and despite heavy pressure from Barry were able to hold off the visitors.
The win lifts Port Talbot off the bottom of the Adran Premier above TNS. Barry drop to sixth ahead of Port Talbot on goal difference.
Kirsty O’Donnell had the first chance of the game out on the left. Hitting a shot towards goal but straight at Chelsey Herbert in the Barry goal.
Port Talbot put Barry under pressure early and Vicky Beddows won her side a corner. The corner, sent into the near post was headed out for another corner. From the other side of the pitch the corner was sent to the near post again but this time headed in by Vicky Beddows.
As Barry looked to play in Mackenzie Olden, Emily Roberts was out quickly to get the ball from a pass a little overhit.
Courtney Thomas was found in the box but hitting her shot on the turn it was blocked and Barry were able to clear.
Barry did find a piece of quality when Olden’s pass found Houghton in the box. Houghton curled the ball past Roberts to level the game.
Rebecca Rees forced Chelsey Herbert to make a good save with her shot form outside the box.
Jessie Taylor was making the most of space out on the right and took a shot. She couldn’t trouble Herbert and the Barry keeper made an easy save.
Despite being under pressure Barry took the lead before the break. Lauren Harris picking up the ball outside the box and putting a stunning lob over Roberts.
Half Time: Port Talbot Town 1-2 Barry Town United.
Early into the second half and Port Talbot had a great chance to level the game. Vicky Beddows was played in, inside the box and one on one with Herbert. Herbert did well to save the close range shot with her legs.
Port Talbot were soon level as Jessie Taylor got the goal her overall good play deserved. Winning the ball out on the right she lifted the ball over Herbert with a beauty of a lob.
Barry looked to get back in front and Olivia Townsend went on a run that saw her pass three players. She found Olden but her shot was saved by Roberts.
Thomas had a chance for the Steelwomen after pinching the ball off the Barry defence but her shot was saved.
Thomas was not to be denied her goal however as she headed in the winner at back post from Lauren Amor’s corner.
Barry pushed their host into their own half as the game wore on desperately trying to find an equaliser. They were met with a wall of blue shirts as Port Talbot’s player throw themselves at every ball to hold on for their first win of the season.
Port Talbot Town: Emily Roberts (G), Rebecca Rees, Victoria Beddows, Terri Beddows, Chelsey Harris (C), Jesci Hare (Caitlin Owen 70), Kirsty O’Donnell, Jessie Taylor, Courtney Thomas, Lauren Amor, Jessica Denscombe.
Goals: Vicky Beddows 9, Jessie Taylor 51, Courtney Thomas 67
Barry Town United: Chelsea Herbert (G), Olivia Townsend (Taite Trivett 63), Holly Jenkins, Delia Ebbin, Pam Pelders, Megan Bowen (Grace O’Reilly 87), Anna Houghton (Faith Mulenga 75), Chelsea Cochrane, Mackenzie Olden, Mannon Pearce, Lauren Harris (C).
Goals: Anna Houghton 20, Lauren Harris 30.
(Featured Image: Chwarae Sports Agency)
