M.1 - 21/2022 Season
The New Saints
Pontypridd United
By Eloise Martin
A 3 ½ hour bus journey to Park Hall Stadium and blazing 25-degree heat saw the dragons return with the 3 points on Sunday.
Kicking of the season in the brand new Adran Premier League meant Sunday’s game was big for both teams. The New Saints are a newly formed team for the league, and it was exciting to see what they had to offer.
The game got off to a good start with Ponty creating a few chances however they were unable to capitalize. An early foul in the 20th Minute on Jaz Simpson in the box won a penalty which saw Alison Witts calmly net the ball into the bottom left corner. Thus, winning the Dragons their first goal of the match.
The lead was short lived with a goal from TNS in the 36th minute. After a breakthrough pass, Francesca Scott looped the ball over goalkeeper Maisie Jones’s head from just inside the box.
The Dragons continued efforts paid off late in the half when a throw in led to an impressive ball from Carys Minton to Alison Witts who took a touch and volleyed it into the left-hand corner.
The second half kicked off with a great save from Maisie Jones saving TNS’s effort at an equaliser. The Dragons created many chances late into the half but failed to convert, with one disallowed goal due to a questionable offside call. The game could have easily ended with a larger goal difference and the team will be looking to capitalise on their chances going onto to next week’s home game to reigning champions Swansea City.
Top scorer Alison Witts said, “we definitely had a point to prove today... so it was good for us to take the win home”. Despite the win she emphasised that “There is definitely a lot we can be working on”.
We also spoke to Manager Fern Burrage-Male who said, “Moving forward in the season we know that we’re going to have to finish those chances that we had today”. Whilst she described the play on Sunday as “open” with “a lot of chances” she was aware Swansea will be a challenge and such chances cannot afford to be missed in such big games.
Match Report
goal scorers
Stadium