Briton Ferry sealed their place in the semi-final of the FAW Cup with a thumping 5-1 victory over a spirited Cardiff Wanderers side.
First half goals by Lowri Baker and Lucy Powell put the Ferry in a strong position at the break, and when Ela Roberts found a third after the resumption, it felt like game, set and match.
But the Wanderers battled throughout and got one back through Jade Crofts. As they tried to push for more, Ferry showed their quality, and goals from Lowri Ridings and Olivia Townsend towards the end sealed their place in the final four.
It only took five minutes for the Adran South table toppers to take the lead. Laura-May Walkley’s pinpoint pass found Lowri Baker, and she dinked the ball over Jordan Cleaver.
Wanderers weren’t over roared by going down early and stuck to their guns. They wanted to play out the back and find the gaps in behind, but Ferry’s defensive structure was sound.
And when you have players who can do something magical like Ferry do, it makes life difficult for any opponent. Lucy Powell sprinkled some stardust on the game with a magnificent turn and volley from outside the box to double the lead.
A flurry of chances then came for the visitors. Walkley, Meg Kearle and Jess Denscombe all chancing their arm from range, but nothing to trouble Cleaver.
Wanderers again though were determined to find a way through. Jess Evans in particular was proving to be a useful outlet to relieve any defensive pressure.
They were almost rewarded with a goal on the stroke of half time. Jade Crofts made a darting run down the middle and was one-on-one with Courtney Young, but the ball curled, for Crofts, the wrong side of the post, and the deficit remained at two heading into the second half.
It certainly seemed at times during the first half and at the beginning of the second half that the Ferry were overplaying in the final third, not wanting to pull the trigger.
Eight minutes into the second period, they found their third, and they could start to smell the semi-final. Baker did well to find the run of Ela Roberts down the wing, and the full back managed to chip the ball over Cleaver, who couldn’t quite gather the ball.
This is a Wanderers team, however, that doesn’t give up and they got one back after the hour mark. Llywela Edwards robbed Roberts of the ball well before teeing up Crofts, and this time her effort fell the right side of the post and into the bottom corner. It was game on.
Wanderers enjoyed a good spell of possession and asserted themselves onto Ferry for a brief period after the goal, but their hard work was undone when the travelling side scored their fourth. Lowri Ridings rising highest and bulleting her header into the net.
The fifth subsequently followed. Debutant Olivia Townsend scoring from distance to rub salt into the Wanderers’ wounds.
Wanderers did push until the final whistle and there was no shame in their performance today. They have been a joy in this competition.
Ferry, however, march into the semi finals and will be a dangerous opponent for anyone.
Cardiff Wanderers will return to action after the new year with a game at home to Splott Albion on January 8th, while Briton Ferry have a crunch clash at home to Cascade YC next week in the Adran South.
Player of the Match: Lowri Baker
Baker was a thorn in the side of the Wanderers defence all game long. Not only did she have pace to burn, but also the presence of mind to either find the correct pass or have a shot on goal when required. An all-round performance from the winger today.
Cardiff Wanderers
Jordan Cleaver (GK), Anna Stevenson, Yasmin Wells (Helene Reiminger, 83’), Georgia Brown, Rachel Beare, Jess Evans (Meg Jones, 63’), Laura Williams-Ellis © (Chloe Jones, 83’), Jade Crofts, Brooke Howell (Keira Allen, 80’), Alisha Northmore, Llywela Edwards
Unused Subs: Catherine Sulley
Goals: Jade Crofts (62’)
Briton Ferry
Courtney Young (GK), Laura-May Walkley, Alice Broadley, Fleur Jenkins (Ella Smitham, 78’), Brooke Llewellyn (Olivia Kett-White, 83’), Lowri Ridings ©, Lucy Powell, Ela Roberts (Mia Pritchard, 83’), Meg Kearle (Emma Ferns, 83’), Lowri Baker, Jess Denscombe (Olivia Townsend, 46’)
Goals: Lowri Baker (5’), Lucy Powell (14’), Ela Roberts (53’), Lowri Ridings (74’), Olivia Townsend (77’)
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