Saints share spoils with Dragons at Park Hall

Match Report

Goals: Ridge (32), Redding (88).
Yellow cards: L.Lewis (84)
Substitutions: Jarvie for B.Lewis (61), Whitefoot for Chapman (76)

Match report by Michael Davies
Lead image: Andrew Donnison

The New Saints Women got a point at home on Sunday afternoon, after a 2-2 draw against Pontypridd United at Park Hall Stadium.

Emily Ridge got her fourth goal in two games to give The Saints the lead in the first-half. James Fishlock’s side turned the tables around in the second 45 through two quick goals from Alison Witts and Jasmine Turner, however TNS claimed a draw late on through an Izzy Redding header.

It was an even game throughout, as both sides could feel they were worth all three points.

After the draw, TNS stay fifth in the Genero Adran Premier table, moving onto ten points.

The New Saints had their first opportunity in the fourth minute, as Helen Evans hit the crossbar with a header after Beth Lewis whipped in a free-kick.

Greg Draper’s team were on the attack again a short while later, when Emily Ridge shot from outside the box and Pontypridd United keeper Maisie Jones was able to gather the ball.

In the 26th minute, Emily Bayliss had the strike at the net for Pontypridd from 25-yards out that was met with a great save by Sarah Parkes.

The Saints took the lead in the 32nd minute, when Chantelle Teare ran into the box and passed the ball into Ridge who tapped the chance in the net.

Four minutes later TNS had another chance, as Lexie Harrison put a pass to Catlin Chapman in the 18-yard area, the no.17 then shot the ball into the hands of Jones.

In the 41st minute, Evie Williams had a long range effort on her debut that Jones managed to catch.

Before half-time, a through ball was played to Pontypridd’s Olivia Francis who shot from outside the box, Parkes was there to stop the effort.

At the start of the second 45, Alison Witts equalised for the away team when an over-the-top ball was played to the forward who looked offside but nothing was given, as the no.14 put the ball into the corner of the goal.

In the 51st, TNS were back up the other end when Teare had a shot which just went over the crossbar.

Pontypridd took the lead a couple of minutes later, Jasmine Turner struck the ball from 25-yards away, the ball then rattled into the top corner of the net.

The Dragons came close to a third in the 55th minute when Witts hit from close range, as Parkes made a fine save.

Past the hour mark, Teare went up the other end for TNS, the no.9 cut inside and shot from outside the 6-yard area, but Jones made the stop.

In the 80th minute, Evans had a curling effort from just outside the box that went wide of the post, as TNS came close to an equalizer.

TNS did equalize late on in the 88th minute through a Teare corner that found Izzy Redding in the box, who headed past Jones and into the net, as the Oswestry-based team claimed what could be a vital point come the end of phase one.

Greg Draper’s side are next in action in the Genero Adran Trophy last-16 on Sunday, November 20 away at Cascade.