Katy Hosford’s goal and assist helped Swansea to a 2-0 win over Pontypridd as they keep the pressure on Cardiff City at the top of the table.
Hosford scored a stunner in the first half and then assisted Jess Williams for the second to wrap up the three points, in a game that was devoid of clear-cut chances.
The result keeps Swansea in second, but they cut the gap at the top to five points. Ponty remain fifth, having played one game more than fourth placed TNS.
The Swans hadn’t played since December 4th, but they came out of the traps well. A flurry of corners came their in the opening 20 minutes, but some good defending and good goalkeeping from Maisie Jones kept them at bay.
Ponty debutant Evie Hughes was a bright spark for the hosts. She made a darting run down the left before crossing it for Jasmine Turner, but Claire Skinner intervened in the nick of time.
The game certainly felt like it needed something to kick it into life. Step up Katy Hosford.
Picking the ball up from around 30-yards out, she eyed up her spot and executed a perfectly lobbed effort that nestled in the back of the net. Swansea were ahead.
Neither side had really done enough to dominant the first half, but Hosford’s goal was the difference.
Perhaps it was the Arctic conditions at the USW Sport Park, but both teams couldn’t find their groove in the second half.
A combination of slack passing and poor movement meant much of the second half was a tough affair.
With nine minutes remaining, however, the Swans sealed all three points. A cross from Hosford found the onrushing Jess Williams, and she powered the ball in to double the lead.
And 2-0 is how it finished. Swansea make sure that the title race is still on.
Pontypridd will travel to Abergavenny on Sunday, while Swansea will host TNS.
Player of the Match: Katy Hosford
Special mention to Evie Hughes. On her debut for the Dragons she was a standout performer, taking on her marker and causing problems down the wing, but Hosford was outstanding. She really took the game by the scruff of the neck and her goal was nothing short of sublime.
Pontypridd United
Maisie Jones (GK), Shannon Greenway, Holly Broad (C), Emily Bayliss (Jess Osborne, 62’), Ellie Gunney (Clare Daley, 55’), Anais Trinci (Carys Bufton, 55’), Kirstie Pervin-Davies, Alison Witts, Liv Francis, Evie Hughes, Jasmine Turner (Efa Preece-Jones, 80’)
Unused Sub: Eleanor Brook (GK)
Swansea City
Claire Skinner (GK), Ellie Lake, Emma Beynon (C), Kelly Adams, Nieve Jenkins, Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davies (Emily Freeman, 87’), Monet Legall (Gwen Horgan, 84’), Nia Rees (Chloe Tiley, 65’), Jess Williams, Rachel Cullen
Unused Subs: Chelsea Herbert (GK), Chloe Chivers
Goals: Katy Hosford (38’), Jess Williams (81’)
Yellow Cards: Stacey John-Davies (87’)
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