Aber Town Ladies 1 Cascade YC 1 (3-1 on pens) :FAW Women's Cup Report & Highlights

FAW Women's Cup - First Round
Sunday 20th October 2019
Aberystwyth Town Ladies 1 (Wylde 60')
Cascade YC (A. Davies 45+3)
*A.E.T - Aberystwyth Win 3-1 on Penalties

With two penalty saves in a nail-biting shoot-out, it was Aber's keeper Ffion Ashman who became the hero of the day as the Black and Greens held their nerve to book a place in the second round of the FAW Women's Cup. Tania Wylde was on target in the 60th minute to cancel out Abbie Davies' first half stoppage time strike, writes Steven Brookes.

Facing the Black and Greens in the First Round of the competition was Welsh Women's League leaders Cascade YC with the top tier side hopeful of not being on the receiving-end of a cup upset.

In a frustrating first half for the hosts it was the tier two side that looked the most likely to break the deadlock but bar one great opportunity from inside the area that went narrowly wide of the post Cascade were mainly limited to strikes from outside the box, but so were the team in Green. In the third minute of added time the South Wales side were awarded a free kick following a handball from Nia Witts. The inswinging free-kick was unfortunately spilt and it was Abbie Davies who reacted quickest to open the scoring in what was the final action of the first half.

After a few half time tactical changes the hosts looked a lot more lively after the break, Naomi Evans coming close to levelling twice with one shot just off target and another pushed wide of the post. With 30 minutes remaining the scores were levelled. Last season's goal-machine Tania Wylde's right-footed effort found the back of the net from distance after an unfortunate error from the visiting goalkeeper. Bethan Roberts nearly turned the game around when her strike hit the post whilst debutant Carly Pegg's powerful effort smashed the cross bar as Town pressed for a winner.

With 90 minutes up the game went to extra time but not even an added 30 minutes could separate the two sides, so the dreaded penalty shoot-out was needed. Ashman got Town off to a perfect start with a save to her right. Wylde scored for the hosts before Cascade's second penalty was fired over. Caroline Cooper's strike was just about converted despite the visiting keeper getting a hand to the ball. Cascade got off the mark with their third penalty but a successful spot kick from Gabi Hughes put the pressure on the visitors fourth taker. Ffion Ashman became the hero of the day though saving with her feet to put the hosts into the second round.

Andy Evans' side's penalty shootout success has been rewarded with an away trip to Cardiff City Women. Town will need to be at their best to defeat a very strong side but as many will know, In cup games anything can happen.