Drama on the south coast, as The New Saints Women claim a vital win

Match Report

Goals: Ridge (13), (32), (83)
Yellow cards: Teare (39), Chapman (69), Evans (80)
Substitutions: Whitefoot for Ridge (84)

Match report by Michael Davies

The New Saints Women claimed a vital three points away against Barry Town United, in a first win for the team at Jenner Park to move up to fifth in the Genero Adran Premier at the time of writing.

Emily Ridge claimed a first hat-trick for The New Saints of the Genero Adran Premier era, with Barry Town’s goals coming from Lauren Harris and Manon Pearce.

The encounter was one that went back and to throughout, but ultimately The Saints were the ones that were more clinical when Ridge claimed an 84th minute winner after Barry initially came from two down.

Victory means the team moves up to fifth in the Genero Adran Premier standings at the time of writing.

It was in the 13th minute of the game, where the first chance was for Barry Town United. Mackenzie Olden got on the end of a loose ball and hit wide from within the penalty area.

The New Saints took the lead seconds later up the other end of the pitch. Chantelle Teare put a cross into Emily Ridge who scored from close range in the no.35’s first game this season.

Ten minutes later Barry Town were back on the attack, as a through ball found Olden in the 18-yard who shot, but a fine save by Libby Rubin denied the no.9.

Before the half hour mark, Olden had another effort in the box that Rubin stopped once more.

It was two for The Saints in the 32nd. Caitlin Chapman crossed a ball into Ridge, who scrambled it home from point blank range for a brace.

The home team got one back before half-time in the 38th minute. Barry skipper Lauren Harris took a free-kick from 40-yards away that deflected into Rubin’s net.

At the start of the second 45, Dani Staley had an effort from 25-yards out that Erin Brennan stopped.

In the 53rd, Barry’s Taite Trivett had an attempt in the box which Rubin managed to collect.

The Jenner Park team equalised in the 67th when Manon Pearce slotted the ball into the corner of the net from within the box.

With ten minutes of normal time to go, Anna Houghton had a free-kick on the edge of the box for Barry that Rubin gathered.

TNS regained the lead in the 83rd minute. Helen Evans made an unbelievable run from the halfway line and put in a pass to Ridge, the 30-year old tapped it in for a hat-trick, as a vital three points were claimed in south Wales.

Next up is a home match against Pontypridd United on Remembrance Sunday (November 13) in the Adran Premier.