M.10 - 21/2022 Season

By Eloise Martin

Competitive game against Swansea City ends in a 2-0 loss

Despite the disappointment of the score line no other team in the league has been able to keep Swansea from scoring for as long Pontypridd. When the two teams last met it took 63 minutes for Swansea to break the deadlock. This time it took them 66 minutes which is a credit to the Dragons’ defending.

The game took place at Swansea’s home ground, Llandarcy Academy of Sport. The game got off to a fast and competitive start. The Dragons showed their grit and determination in their first half to keep the score line at bay.

Swansea did not hold back and created a few opportunities but nothing that goalkeeper Maisie Jones couldn’t handle. Her quality shone in this game as she performed up to 4 or 5 game changing saves. In the 38th minute a shot from Swansea came across the front of the goal at speed but Maisie was able to dive and get her hands to the ball tipping it away to safety. Seconds later a 1v1 sent Maisie to the edge of her box performing an excellent last-ditch tackle. Minutes later she was in the limelight again as she tipped the ball on to the crossbar, she was then backed up by Jessica Osborne who cleared it off the line when it came back down.

Despite the intensity of Swansea’s possession Pontypridd were able to show their quality through the discipline of the defensive line. The Dragons had their own shots on goal when seconds before half time a ball was delivered to Alison Witts who took a touch, turned, and sent a strike towards the top right corner, but the Swansea keeper was able to catch it. Anais Trinci and Ffion Spence took their chances running down the line when given the opportunity, but Swansea’s defence stood firm.

After a long frustrating 66 minutes for the hosts, they were able to find the back of the net. A ball from Swansea’s Stacey John-Davis found Katie Hosford who poked it past Maisie Jones. 15 minutes later Swansea’s Chloe Tiley capitalised on a loose ball sending it into the net winning Swansea their second goal of the game.

Despite the loss the Dragons kept their heads high knowing they were able to challenge Swansea City and frustrate them throughout the game.

Post-match Fern Burrage-Male said: “As always I am incredibly proud of my players today, every single one of them worked their hardest and our goal keeper was phenomenal making at least four incredible saves in the first half.”

“We went in at half time really pleased but one or two tiny things will cost us against very good teams, and it did,” she said.

“We knew they would pile on the pressure, and they did, looking back at their record I am happy to only concede two.”

Next up we play Barry Town United Ladies at our home ground USW Sport Park on Thursday with an evening kick off at 19:45.