TNS began their Adran Premier campaign with a dominant 3-1 victory over Pontypridd United away from home.
Goals from Danielle Staley, Izzy Redding and Caitlin Chapman helped the Saints to a big win. A screamer from Carys Bufton did have TNS worried, but Ponty just couldn’t find a way back into the contest.
Pontypridd manager James Fishlock elected to hand out debuts to Meg Saunders, Alana Murphy, and former Wales international Nadia Lawrence. TNS head coach Greg Draper gave debuts to goalkeeper Mackenzie Haydn-Jones and midfielder Ella Hartley.
TNS dazzled in the latter stages of last season with a brand of football that was exciting to watch, and they started in the exact same fashion in this game. Pushed high up the pitch, the Saints penned Ponty in for large parts of the first half.
While on top they were creating chances. Caitlin Chapman kept the ball alive well before crossing the ball into the box, but Emily Ridge could only head wide. Helen Evans was next to try with her head from a corner, but like Ridge moments before, the ball was off target. Chapman, however, went the closest, but she squandered a one-on-one opportunity.
With all their chances, TNS needed to take one, and on the half hour mark they did. Chapman once again worked hard to keep the ball in play, and her low cross found debutant Ella Hartley. Her effort was blocked off the line, but the ball fell kindly to Danielle Staley, who tapped in from close range.
The home side really struggled to create anything in the first half and didn’t have an effort on goal. Their matters were worsened when captain Holly Broad hobbled off with a bad looking an injury. They had to come out with something different in the second half, because the Saints had dominated the first period.
Unfortunately for James Fishlock and his side, TNS were in no mood to let their lead slip, and they continued their domination in the second half. Luckily for the Dragons, Eleanor Brook was having a stormer of a game in the second 45. She prevented Ridge scoring from close range, before spreading herself out expertly to deny Chapman.
But her barricade was eventually breached once more with twelve minutes to go. A corner swung in from Chapman found the head of talented centre-back Izzy Redding, who had the simplest of tasks of nodding in from close range. Now the Saints were cruising.
Yet, out of nowhere, Ponty got themselves back into it with three minutes to spare. Carys Bufton spotted Haydn-Jones off her line and proceeded to curl in a spellbinding shot into the far corner. They couldn’t, could they?
Well, that question would be answered two minutes later. Brook shanked her clearance and the ball fell straight to the path of Chapman, who could knock the ball into an empty net. There was a scare for TNS, but now they were on the straight and narrow and heading home with all three points.
Pontypridd are at home again next week, as they welcome newly promoted Wrexham. TNS are also back in South Wales next weekend, facing off against Cardiff Met.
Player of the Match: Helen Evans
Honourable mentions to Eleanor Brook, Izzy Redding, and Tia Lockley, but I thought Helen Evans was outstanding today. In the engine room, she got forward well, but more importantly, was able to snuff out any forward ball Ponty tried. She also moved to the wing later in the game and was exceptional in that role too. An all-round great performance.
Pontypridd United
Eleanor Brook, Shannon Hindmarsh, Clare Daley, Holly Broad © (Lucy Jones 20’), Meg Saunders, Madison Williams, Alana Murphy (Efa Preece Jones 58’), Jasmine Turner, Ellie Gunney (Sophie Topper 58’), Carys Bufton, Nadia Lawrence (Mia Sherrard 78’)
Unused Subs: Klaudia Wojtyczka
Goals: Carys Bufton (87’)
TNS
Mackenzie Haydn-Jones, Beth Lewis ©, Danielle Staley (Georgia Griffiths 61’), Ella Hartley, Tia Lockley, Caitlin Chapman (Nicole Samson 90’), Helen Evans (Chantelle Teare 90’), Izzy Redding, Lia Lewis, Emily Ridge (Chloe Shirley 79’), Evie Williams
Unused Subs: Sarah Parkes
Goals: Danielle Staley (30’), Izzy Redding (78’), Caitlin Chapman (89’)
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