Aber Town Ladies 2 Barry Town United Ladies 3: Match Report

Welsh Women's League (WWL)
Sunday 16th September 2018
Aberystwyth Town Ladies 2 Barry Town United Ladies 3

On a rainy day at Park Avenue, Aber fell to their first Welsh Women's League defeat  since joining the league in 2017. Despite two second half goals from Tania Wylde, it was the visitors and fellow promotion hopefuls who left Ceredigion with all three points, writes Steven Brookes.

With Barry and Aber being two of the big promotion hopefuls and drawing both league games last season it was clear from the off that this was going to be a tough game to win. The two sides came into this match with 100% records so far after winning their opening two games and both were eager to try and get that opening goal. Although neither side were able to create many clear-cut chances early on, Ffiona Evans and a Caroline Cooper free kick were well saved by the away keeper. At the other end of the pitch it was Barry who had the first clear chance of the match when Chelsea Deacon beat the offside trap, but her low shot was well saved by Ffion Ashman. Aber finished the half the stronger of the two teams but both sides were still struggling to break the deadlock.

The Second half though, was a completely different story! Four minutes in and the Black and Greens were ahead. Tania Wylde used her strength well to get to the edge of the area before calmly slotting the ball into the net. Ashman was then called into action again producing another good one-on-one save. But the visitors did eventually find the equaliser with a very well-worked goal and after some good build up play, Daisy Evan-Watkins' cross was turned in at the back post by Chelsea Deacon. Ashman yet again made another good one-on-one save but unfortunately for the home side, defender Josie Pugh blocked the powerful follow-up shot with her hand on the goal line. As well as a penalty being awarded the Black and Greens were reduced to 10 players when Pugh was shown a red card for the handball. Charlotte Preen converted the resulting penalty. Despite the red card, Aber were not going to give up hope and were soon level thanks to an outstanding strike from Tania Wylde, her sixth goal in just two matches, the long range, powerful strike hitting the underside of the crossbar before crossing the line. Both teams searched for the winner but it was the away team who found it when Sian Rees managed to beat the defender inside the Aber box before finding the net from a tight angle. This was to be the winning goal in an entertaining match that many have described as a brilliant advert for Women's football.

On another day Aber may have extended their unbeaten run, but there is no doubt that they should be very proud of going unbeaten in league football for as long as they did. Town will continue their hunt for promotion at Dafen Welfare on Sunday 30th September.

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