Saints made to settle for a point, after Seasiders fight back at Park Avenue

Match Report

Goals: Caitlin Chapman (20, 59), Lucie Platt (34)
Yellow cards: Lexie Harrison (87)

Match report by Michael Davies

The New Saints Women got a point on the mid Wales coast against Aberystwyth Town, after initially being 3-0 ahead.

Caitlin Chapman netted a brace, as Lucie Platt scored the other for The New Saints. Elin Jones and Gwenllian Jones got the goals back for Aberystwyth, before Tania Wylde claimed a late leveller.

The Saints had full control of the game up to the hour mark, but Aberystwyth took control of the game past that point and claimed a draw right towards the end.

Sunday’s result means TNS are three points behind fourth-placed Pontypridd United in the battle for the top four in phase one.

In the opening minutes of the encounter, The New Saints had the first chance on goal, as Lucie Platt had a free-kick from just outside the box that Elen Valentine caught.

Aberystwyth Town had their first opportunity not long later, as Libby Isaac had her own free-kick from 20-yards away, which just went wide of the post.

The Saints were back on the attack in the 14th minute, when a through ball fell to Lucie Platt, who went one-on-one with Valentine in the box, but just hit wide.

Greg Draper’s team took the lead six minutes on. Caitlin Chapman hit a great strike from outside the 18-yard area that deflected into the top corner of the net.

It was almost a second soon after, as Evie Williams had an attempt in the Aber penalty area that Valentine stopped.

The second did come past the half-hour mark. Helen Evans took a free-kick from 25-yards away, which came off the back post and the ball fell to Platt, who tapped the ball in.

Gwenllian Jones had a good chance to get one back for Gavin Allen’s team before half-time, however the no.12 shot the ball over the crossbar from outside the box.

At the start of the second 45, Chantelle Teare cut inside the box and just hit over.

Before the hour mark it was 3-0 to TNS, as Teare passed the ball across the goal to Chapman, who tapped home for a brace.

Staright after the Seasiders got one back. Gwenllian Jones crossed the ball to Elin Jones and the number five headed the ball in from 6-yards out.

Aber got a second goal back in the 68th minute. Tania Wylde whipped a cross in that was headed into the net by Gwenllian Jones.

The home side almost got an equaliser a couple  minutes later, when Wylde hit the crossbar from 35-yards out.

Wylde got the leveller deep into added time from a shot 20-yards out, as the match finished 3-3.

TNS are next in action against Abergavenny at Park Hall Stadium in the Genero Adran Premier on Sunday, December 18th.