Courageous
Swansea
outscored
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
SWANSEA 2-7 CARDIFF
CAREY ON GOING: Swansea’s vice-captain Stacey Carey showing the team’s determination to take the game to Cardiff at the Talybont Astro
by Craig Hadley
[email protected]
CAPTAIN Ria Llewellyn bemoaned
the change to Astroturf following
their 7-2 defeat to Cardiff at Talybont
sports centre.
The match had originally been
scheduled to take place at Pontcanna
but was switched due to a waterlogged
pitch.
“I thought we played our hearts out to
be honest,” said Llewellyn.
“We came here with not ever having
played a game on astro and considering
that, everyone tried their absolute best.”
Vice-captain Stacey Carey echoed
Llewellyn’s
thoughts
on
their
performance.
“We can go away from here proud,
knowing we did everything and tried
our best,” said Carey.
“We had a slight lapse at the beginning
but we fought until the last second.”
Cardiff started strongly, scoring in the
opening minute thanks to a close range
effort from Emily Davies.
Swansea’s passion was there to see
with captain Llewellyn fired up and
leading by example with some strong
tackles.
Cardiff’s Ellie Davies scored their
second in the 25th minute before
Hannah Mills made it 3-0 a few minutes
later.
Lauren Walker got a goal back for
Swansea, beating the offside trap and
powering home, before Cardiff’s Suzie
Davies struck on the stroke of half-time.
Swansea took control at the start of
the second half thanks to the midfield
pair of Emily Marchant and Reagan Healy
who kept the ball well under pressure.
But Swansea were finally broken
down again with goals from Clare
Couzens and Davies.
Carey was then perhaps fortunate to
remain on the pitch following a handball
which the referee failed to spot.
Walker scored Swansea’s second
shortly after from just inside the area.
She was through again shortly after
but failed to convert Marchant’s cross.
Couzens scored again before the end
but was denied a third by some fine
saves from Rebecca Thomas in the final
few minutes of the game.
Llewellyn was pleased with the fine
support Swansea students showed to
her team throughout the match.
She added: “There were a lot of
people who turned up today, we are
very thankful for their support.”