Saints and Bluebirds share spoils at Leckwith

Match Report

https://Twitter.com/tnsfcwomen/status/1995117417849057429?s=20

Goals: Harrison (23), Chapman (45+1), Gibbs (47)
Yellow cards: Harrison (60)
Substitutions: Crees for Dunkerley (65), Evans for Richardson (78), Scott for Haydn-Jones (90+8)

Match report: Michael Davies
Lead image: Perry Dobbins

The New Saints Women claimed a point on the road in a 3-3 draw at Leckwith Stadium against Genero Adran Premier defending champions, Cardiff City.

It was The New Saints that were ahead on two occasions, as Lexie Harrison initially gave Mikey Harris’ side the lead, before Fiona Barry responded. The Saints gained a two-goal advantage by scoring either side of half-time, as Caitlin Chapman and Zara Gibbs scored goals, before strikes at the end from Lily Billingham and Laura Curnock meant the game ended all level.

Sunday’s result means Saints stay fourth in the Adran Premier table on 16 points.

Cardiff City were the ones that threatened to score in the opening exchanges of the encounter, as Mackenzie Haydn-Jones made a great save to deny Mackenzie Olden.

Haydn Jones made another stop in the 13th minute, this time denying Laura Curnock.

The New Saints goalkeeper was kept busy again in the 16th minute, as Haydn-Jones saved a shot from Olden at the near post.

Moments on, Mikayla Cook had an effort from inside the box for the hosts that narrowly went wide.

The Saints took the lead on the counter in the 23rd minute, as Lexie Harrison made a great run into the box at the back post, as Zara Gibbs delivered a great ball that found Harrison at the back post, who netted well from close range.

Cardiff got an equaliser in the 43rd minute, when Fiona Barry had an effort from outside the box that went through the legs of Haydn-Jones.

Saints retook the lead just before the break, as a Maria Francis-Jones cross found Caitlin Chapman in the 18-yard-area, and the winger headed the ball over Cory Chamberlain and into the net.

Mikey Harris’ team took a two-goal advantage at the start of the second 45 thanks to a brilliant goal from Gibbs from outside the box that went over Chamberlain and into the net.

Just past the hour mark, substitute, Lily Billingham, had an effort from outside the box that fired inches wide of the net.

In the 69th minute, Gibbs looked to extend the advantage for the Oswestry-based team, as the number three ran through on goal, and shot, but Chamberlain was there to make the save.

Billingham got a goal back in the 85th minute, as Curnock played a through ball that found the 20-year-old, who slotted the ball past Haydn-Jones from close-range.

In the 12th minute of added-on-time, substitute keeper, Charlie Scott, made a great save to stop from Kerry Walklett following an long stoppage in play for a Haydn-Jones head injury.

The Bluebirds equalised two minutes later through Curnock from point-blank range following a scramble in the box.

Play ended not long later, as the spoils were shared.

TNS return to Park Hall Stadium next week to take on Barry Town United next Sunday, December 7th with a 2 p.m kick-off.