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Welsh Women's League
Sunday 11th November 2018
Aberystwyth Town Ladies 3 Merthyr Town 2
Aber Town extended their winning run further thanks to three goals in an entertaining first half, at home to Merthyr Town. Sian Evans (6 mins), Tania Wylde (17 mins) and Catherine Davies (20 mins) were on the scoresheet as the Black and Greens have now won every match since mid September (6 games), scoring 15 in the process, writes Steven Brookes.
Merthyr Town's last visit to Park Avenue ended in a 5-0 Welsh Cup First Round defeat earlier this season, so they were keen to avoid a similar outcome. Unfortunately for the visitors, as in the previous meeting they were behind early on. When a Caroline Cooper corner found Kelly Thomas in the area, the mdfielder's effort was blocked on the line but Sian Evans was in the right place at the right time to head in from close range. Just minutes after scoring the opening goal Sian Evans was deemed to have fouled Merthyr's Megan Stark, but that wasn't the main concern. Evans was injured in the process and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher. Play then resumed with a free kick on the edge of the area for the visitors. Isabelle Kaler was the taker and her right footed strike found the top corner of Ffion Ashman's goal to level the scorers. Four minutes later though, Aber re-took the lead thanks to another goal of the season contender from Tania Wylde when her powerful long-range strike gave the keeper little chance of saving: a sixth goal in the attacking midfielder's last four games. Cooper nearly scored Aber's third with a curling left-footed effort from distance, but the Merthyr keeper managed to tip the ball wide of the post. Aber did score a third just moments later however with Cooper getting the assist. The former Welsh international's in-swinging free kick was turned in by forward Cat Davies on her first appearance for the Black and Greens since rejoining the club. Davies had only been on the pitch eight minutes after replacing the injured Sian Evans. Aber Town now looked in control and if any side were to score again it was the hosts who looked the most likely to find the net. Naomi Evans did well to create a shooting opportunity for herself but was unable to beat the keeper whilst Wylde's next wonder-strike attempt ended up in the Dias Stand. Aber were unable to find their fourth and instead the visitors found themselves back in the game when Nia Witts was very unfortunate to see her back pass end up in Aber's net on 34 minutes.
The second half didn't start in quite the same way as the first half with both teams struggling to create any clear goalscoring opportunities. Cat Davies did however see her headed effort go wide of the post whilst Merthyr had a couple of efforts go wide of the post, but in truth neither keeper were seriously tested. That was until Naomi Evans's impressive strike from outside the area. The hard-working forward's effort seemed to be heading for the top corner but unfortunately this was not to be the case and instead hit the post. With seconds remaining the away side were awarded a corner. The delivery was good but nobody could quite get that decisive touch and the ball eventually went wide of the post. This was immediately followed by the final whistle as Aber gained another valuable three points.
Aber Town Ladies played some impressive football at times and despite a nervy ending the Black and Greens will be delighted to get the win. The team will now have a break from league football and instead will travel to Welsh Premier League side Llandudno on Sunday 18th November in the hope of causing a cup upset in the FAW Women's Cup Second Round.
Aber Town Ladies Team
(In Alphabetical Order)
Ashman, Cooper, Cowdy (Turner 68'), F. Evans, N. Evans, S. Evans (Cat Davies 12'), Jones, Pugh, K. Thomas, Witts, Wylde.
Sunday 11th November 2018
Aberystwyth Town Ladies 3 Merthyr Town 2
Aber Town extended their winning run further thanks to three goals in an entertaining first half, at home to Merthyr Town. Sian Evans (6 mins), Tania Wylde (17 mins) and Catherine Davies (20 mins) were on the scoresheet as the Black and Greens have now won every match since mid September (6 games), scoring 15 in the process, writes Steven Brookes.
Merthyr Town's last visit to Park Avenue ended in a 5-0 Welsh Cup First Round defeat earlier this season, so they were keen to avoid a similar outcome. Unfortunately for the visitors, as in the previous meeting they were behind early on. When a Caroline Cooper corner found Kelly Thomas in the area, the mdfielder's effort was blocked on the line but Sian Evans was in the right place at the right time to head in from close range. Just minutes after scoring the opening goal Sian Evans was deemed to have fouled Merthyr's Megan Stark, but that wasn't the main concern. Evans was injured in the process and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher. Play then resumed with a free kick on the edge of the area for the visitors. Isabelle Kaler was the taker and her right footed strike found the top corner of Ffion Ashman's goal to level the scorers. Four minutes later though, Aber re-took the lead thanks to another goal of the season contender from Tania Wylde when her powerful long-range strike gave the keeper little chance of saving: a sixth goal in the attacking midfielder's last four games. Cooper nearly scored Aber's third with a curling left-footed effort from distance, but the Merthyr keeper managed to tip the ball wide of the post. Aber did score a third just moments later however with Cooper getting the assist. The former Welsh international's in-swinging free kick was turned in by forward Cat Davies on her first appearance for the Black and Greens since rejoining the club. Davies had only been on the pitch eight minutes after replacing the injured Sian Evans. Aber Town now looked in control and if any side were to score again it was the hosts who looked the most likely to find the net. Naomi Evans did well to create a shooting opportunity for herself but was unable to beat the keeper whilst Wylde's next wonder-strike attempt ended up in the Dias Stand. Aber were unable to find their fourth and instead the visitors found themselves back in the game when Nia Witts was very unfortunate to see her back pass end up in Aber's net on 34 minutes.
The second half didn't start in quite the same way as the first half with both teams struggling to create any clear goalscoring opportunities. Cat Davies did however see her headed effort go wide of the post whilst Merthyr had a couple of efforts go wide of the post, but in truth neither keeper were seriously tested. That was until Naomi Evans's impressive strike from outside the area. The hard-working forward's effort seemed to be heading for the top corner but unfortunately this was not to be the case and instead hit the post. With seconds remaining the away side were awarded a corner. The delivery was good but nobody could quite get that decisive touch and the ball eventually went wide of the post. This was immediately followed by the final whistle as Aber gained another valuable three points.
Aber Town Ladies played some impressive football at times and despite a nervy ending the Black and Greens will be delighted to get the win. The team will now have a break from league football and instead will travel to Welsh Premier League side Llandudno on Sunday 18th November in the hope of causing a cup upset in the FAW Women's Cup Second Round.
Aber Town Ladies Team
(In Alphabetical Order)
Ashman, Cooper, Cowdy (Turner 68'), F. Evans, N. Evans, S. Evans (Cat Davies 12'), Jones, Pugh, K. Thomas, Witts, Wylde.
