Aberystwyth Report | Match Day Preview

By Eloise Martin

A trip up north to Aberystwyth last Sunday kicked off the second phase of Adran Premier action! Aberystwyth put the Dragons patience to the test but Carys Bufton’s 88th-minute winner clinched the win and the Dragons returned home with smiles and three points.

After missing out on qualifying for the fourth spot in the league at the end of phase one, the win was essential to boost the team morale and return to winning ways. Pontypridd United are now sitting eight points clear at the top of the table in the competition for the Conference Plate, setting themselves up for a successful second phase!

The team fought well after going 1-0 down in the tenth minute due to a collision between goalkeeper Maisie Jones and the opposition's striker to which the decision was given in their favour.

It would be just ten minutes later when Anais Trinci scored from the corner, pinging a curling ball passed the goalkeeper. Unfortunately, the referee decided Liv Francis has fouled the goalkeeper and disallowed the goal! Aberystwyth’s defensive tactics made it difficult for the Dragons to play the smooth and quick football they favour.

Carys Bufton and Emily Bayliss worked tirelessly to link up and provide chances up front and just seven minutes after the disallowed goal they reaped their rewards and found the equaliser. Holly Broad’s free-kick was cleared from the box finding its way to Emily Bayliss’ feet. She found space down the left channel to lay off to Carys Bufton who crossed the ball into the feet of Liv Francis and she executed the volley effortlessly!

The first twenty minutes of the second half were slow and disjointed with Aberystwyth breaking up play and keeping the ball in the air! The Dragons brought on fresh legs in Jasmine Turner for some extra power up-front but still 1-1 into the last ten minutes, it seemed the teams were settling for a draw despite several efforts from Pontypridd United.

With two minutes to play Evie Hughes fired a cross to the far side of the box to find Bufton who had made the run and poked the ball into the bottom corner! Pontypridd United then did well to see out the final seconds of the half and secure the three points!

Carys Bufton was rightly named POTM and speaking to her after the game she said:

“Getting those three points was massive today and the performance was good. We definitely had to work hard but I am really proud of everyone”.

Looking forward the Dragons are straight back to it as they face Abergavenny this Sunday at home down at USW Sport Park. The teams last met in the final game of phase one where Abergavenny defeated the Dragons in a 1-0 win to prevent them from securing a top-four table finish. Despite this, the Dragons have a strong home form against the side beating them by three goals to none the last time they met at USW.

Speaking to James Fishlock ahead of Sunday’s fixture he said:

“It will be nice to be back at home, we have a good home record!

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