Tight seven-goal thriller defeat
The New Saints Women lost an enthralling end-to-end seven-goal encounter against Cardiff City 4-3 at Park Hall Stadium yesterday afternoon (January 26) in the Genero Adran Premier top-of-the-table clash.
That defeat puts an end to the fantastic 12-game unbeaten run.
The Saints lose ground to City, who open up a five-point gap at the top, but the Oswestry-based team do have a game in hand.
Chantelle Teare thunderbolt
Another contender emerged for January’s Goal of the Month, as Chantelle Teare opened the scoring with a strike from 25-yards.
Am gôl gan Chantelle Teare 🔥
Teare fires in from outside the area to put @tnsfcwomen ahead! pic.twitter.com/LKns8VxABh
— Sgorio (@sgorio) January 26, 2025
That goal was Teare’s 12th of the season.
The 23 year-old’s exploits earned her the Henstone Distillery Player of the Match award.
Good finishes by Lia Lewis and Grace Dunkerley
Further goals in the half gave Saints a 3-2 lead at the break.
Lia Lewis yn rhwydo o'r smotyn ⚽️
Lia Lewis restores TNS' lead!@tnsfcwomen 2-1 @CardiffCityFCW pic.twitter.com/AcBwdwBzKP
— Sgorio (@sgorio) January 26, 2025
Lia Lewis made it 2-1 from a great penalty-kick in the 20th minute, following a foul on Teare in the box.
After a second Cardiff City equaliser, Grace Dunkerley got the hosts back in front before the break, as the number three slotted a shot past an on-rushing Ceryn Chamberlain from outside the box.
Grace Dunkerley yn rhwydo'r drydedd!
Dunkerley puts the Saints back in front.
Egwyl: @tnsfcwomen 3-2 @CardiffCityFCW pic.twitter.com/5MFJwXt8lh
— Sgorio (@sgorio) January 26, 2025
A tough second 45
Iain Darbyshire’s team turned the match around in the second-half, as Laura Curnock netted an equaliser, before Mikayla Cook scored her second goal in the game.
It was a first defeat at Park Hall Stadium for TNS this season.
In fact, the only team to beat Shauna Duffy’s side is the Bluebirds.
Top four secured
After other results at the weekend, it is now confirmed TNS will play in the Championship Conference come phase two.
It is a fantastic achievement to secure top four with still three league games to play before the split.
As discussed in Shauna Duffy’s post-match interview, the team’s trajectory certainly makes for exciting reading.
Lead image by Brian Jones
