Saints Women made to settle for a point against Barry

Match Report

Goals: Harrison (21)
Substitutions: Crees for Baker (63), Jones for Gibbs (76), Thomas for Harrison (85)

Match report by Michael Davies
Lead image: Craig Thomas / FAW

It was a frustrating day for The New Saints Women at Park Hall Stadium, as Mikey Harris’ team drew 1-1 with Barry Town United in the Genero Adran Premier.

Both goals came in the first-half, as Chelsea Cochrane gave the visitors the lead before Lexi Harrison equalised for The New Saints

There was multiple chances for the Saints in the second-half, but couldn’t convert any, and were made to settle for a point.

Sunday’s result means Saints stay fourth in the Adran Premier table on 17 points.

The New Saints threatened in the opening moments, as Caitlin Chapman had a close-range effort, but the flag went up for offside.

In the 8th minute, Sienna Stone had a long-range effort for the visitors that went inches wide of the post.

Barry Town United took the lead in the 11th minute, as Jasmine Turner whipped in a corner that found Chelsea Cochrane in the six-yard area, who headed the ball in.

Moments after the restart, Kelsey Richardson had an outside the box attempt that was palmed away well by Barry Town goalkeeper, Molly Arnesen.

The press for an equaliser continued in the 15th minute when Zara Gibbs passed a ball into the penalty area that found skipper, Lia Lewis, but Arnesen was there to make the save.

There was another effort soon on, as Gibbs hit the post from a couple of yards out following a Lexie Harrison cross.

Mikey Harris’ team got a leveller in the 21st minute, as Grace Dunkerley crossed in a ball that found Harrison in the box, who scored from point-blank range.

In the 27th minute, Richardson had an long-range attempt that went over the crossbar.

Barry substitute, Erin Murray, responded for the Linnets with an effort inside the box in that went wide of the post.

At the start of the second 45, the Saints went looking a second, as Dunkerley had a shot from outside the box that fired over the crossbar.

Saints continued to press in the 55th minute, this time Arnesen stopped a Chapman shot from outside the box.

Moments on there was another attempt. A fine ball from Chapman found Kay Baker in the box, who shot narrowly wide.

Past the hour, Becca Thomas came close for Barry with a shot from a few yards out that hit the crossbar.

In the 68th minute, substitute, Charlotte Cress, chipped the ball to the back post that found Maria Francis-Jones, who had a header that just went over the crossbar.

Seconds later, had a shot from close-range that looked as if it was going in, but Arnesen made a brilliant stop to tip the ball over the bar.

TNS came close once more in the 75th minute when a Francis-Jones corner found Tiggy Webb in the box, who headed at goal, however Arnesen was there to make the save once more, and Mia Davies hit the follow up over the net.

A minute on, Chapman had a shot in the 18-yard-area that hit the post,

Barry went up the other end in the 83rd minute, when Charlie Scott denied Cochrane from a few yards out.

In added-on-time, TNS should have a second, as Chapman played in a ball that found 16-year-old, Grace Thomas, who skied the shot.

The chances finished there, with both teams walking away with a point.

TNS’ next match is in the Adran Trophy quarter-finals next Sunday, December 14th against Pontypridd United at Park Hall with a 2:00 p.m kick-off.