Ponty strengthen top four credentials with win over Barry
12.09.21 - Pontypridd Town AFC Women v Swansea City Ladies - Adran Leagues - Pontypridd Town Women host Swansea City Ladies in their first home game of the season © Darren Griffiths
Pontypridd United continued their good run of form with a 3-0 victory away to Barry Town United.
Alison Witts scored yet another goal against the Town in the first half, before Liv Francis danced her way to goal to make it two. Renee Day scored in the dying embers of the game to the delight of the coaching staff, as Pontypridd took all three points and maintained another clean sheet.
The result sees Ponty move up to fourth in the table, while Barry remain in sixth.
After their 5-0 defeat at the hands of the Dragons two weeks ago, Barry certainly seemed determined not to have a repeat result.
The opening gambit was tense, with both sides having good spells of possession in the middle of the park without creating any chances. Perhaps an indication of how important this game was to them.
The Town had the first opportunity. A floated corner from Lauren Harris found the head of Emily Nicholson, but she couldn’t direct it on goal.
As the half progressed, Ponty grew in confidence and chances began to flow.
Emily Bayliss headed over from a Jasmine Turner free kick before Shannon Greenway couldn’t keep her header down from a corner.
But Barry couldn’t hold out their opponents much longer as they went ahead in the 37th minute.
A quick corner routine caught the Barry defence napping, allowing Turner to whip in a cross to the far post and there was Alison Witts, who rose like a salmon to guide the ball into the far corner, to put Ponty ahead at the break.
The second half started as most of the first half was, a game of attrition with neither side willing to impose themselves onto the other.
The game needed some magic, and Liv Francis provided it in the 67th minute.
Picking the ball up in her own half, Francis drove her way through the Barry defence and bared down on Erin Brennan in goal. Brennan made a good save initially, but she could do nothing about the rebound, and Ponty seemed good value with a 2-0 lead.
The second goal really deflated the hosts, as they couldn’t muster up much against an incredibly well organised Ponty defence.
To add insult to injury, the Dragons got a third four minutes before the end. A sumptuous through ball from Witts found the run of sub Renee Day, and she opened up her body before coolly slotting the ball past an oncoming Brennan.
And that was enough for the away team, who really look like they will kick on and make a charge for that fourth spot.
Barry’s next game will be on Thursday against Aberystwyth Town, while Ponty will next face Cardiff City on November 6th.
Player of the Match: Holly Broad
We can talk about Ponty’s attacking talent for days, and the likes of Jasmine Turner, Liv Francis and Alison Witts were fantastic again today. But the defence was superb and led brilliantly by Holly Broad. The captain was the organiser, and a vocal presence on the pitch. She, along with the rest of the defence, will be delighted with their work today
Barry Town United
Erin Brennan (GK), Lauren Harris ©, Holly Jenkins, Delia Ebbin (Maisy Fahey-Pennell, 76’), Hana Bennett (Phoenix Phillips, 76’), Taite Trivett (Nia Davies, 85’), Anna Houghton, Mackenzie Olden, Manon Pearce, Emily Nicholson (Grace McDonald, 62’), Faith Mulenga (Nia Davies, 85’)
Yellow Cards: Taite Trivett (26’), Lee Kendall (45’), Delia Ebbin (60’)
Pontypridd United
Maisie Jones (GK), Shannon Greenway, Clare Daley, Holly Broad ©, Emily Bayliss (Renee Day, 65’), Anais Trinci (Ellie Gunney, 68’), Kirstie Pervin-Davies, Alison Witts, Liv Francis (Jess Osborne, 71’), Carys Bufton (Efa Preece-Jones, 71’), Jasmine Turner
Unused Sub: Eleanor Brook (GK)
Goals: Alison Witts (37’), Liv Francis (67’), Renee Day (86′)
