Tricks And Treats In Halloween Thriller At The USW Sports Park

Match Report

Goals: Chapman (65)

Substitutions: Ashworth for Platt (81)

Match report by Michael Davies

The New Saints FC Women were involved in a 1-1 Halloween thriller at the USW Sports Park against Pontypridd Town AFC Women.

The Oswestry based-side took a second half lead through a Caitlin Chapman free-kick. Fern Burrage- Male’s team then equalised through Anais Trinci. Lexi Harrison had a penalty late on but hit the crossbar.

In the standings, the first point away on the road takes the team off the bottom above Barry Town United Ladies, as we move on to four points.

In the second minute of the match, Emily Ridge passed the ball to Lucie Platt who had a shot as Maisie Jones managed to make a fine save for Pontypridd Town.

Four on, Renee Day had an effort for the home-side from 25-yards out that hit the crossbar and went over the top for a goal kick.

In the 16^th minute, Ridge crossed the ball across goal which Jones manged to gather.

Not long after, Alana Murphy had a shot from just outside the 18-yard area that Sarah Parkes picked up with ease.

In the 25^th minute, Day hit a chance in The Saints box which Parkes collected.

On the half hour mark, Alison Witts had an opportunity in the 6-yard area for Pontypridd, however the forward blasted the ball over the net.

Five minutes later, Kirstie Pervin-Davies delivered a ball into the box that Witts headed over the crossbar.

Only two minutes after, Caitlin Chapman ran with the ball up the other end of the pitch and had a shot that Jones just about picked up.

40 minutes in, Georgia Griffiths had a terrific shot from outside the penalty area that just curled wide of the Dragons’ goal.

Just before half-time, Murphy ran in on goal, however one heavy touch led Parkes to pick the ball up.

On the stroke of the whistle, Murphy had a chance from a misplaced pass, but Parkes was there once more to make a great save and tip the chance over the crossbar.

At the start of the second forty-five, Murphy shot from 25-yards, however Parkes caught the opportunity comfortably.

On the 50^th minute, Chapman ran in to the Pontypridd box and shot as the chance just got deflected wide of the post.

In the 53^rd, TNS thought they were in as Emily Ridge played a through ball to Lucie Platt who slotted it past Jones, however the flag went up for offside.

A minute on, Lexie Harrison had a curling effort that just went away from the net.

In the 58^th minute, Chapman had a free-kick on the 18-yard area that hit the post. Seconds on, Chapman had another chance in the box that got saved by Jones.

Past the hour mark, Chapman delivered a fantastic ball that found Ridge who hit it just over the crossbar.

In the 65^th minute, Chapman found the back of the net to give Andy Williams’ team a 1-0 lead. The Northern Irish U19 international had a free kick from just outside the box that curled past Jones’ bottom left-hand corner.

Four minutes on, new signing Helen Evans hit the crossbar within 12-yards that was so close to going over the line as TNS went knocking on the door for a second.

Substitute Carys Bufton had a shot for Pontypridd in the 72^nd minute that Parkes caught.

In the 76^th minute, Pervin-Davies crossed in a ball from a corner that hit the back post which TNS managed to clear.

A minute on, Witts hit the ball in the box, as the chance went over the crossbar.

In the 81^st minute, Pontypridd equalised. A free kick whipped in the box found Anais Trinci who slotted the ball past Parkes.

Parkes made a great save in the 86^th minute, Trinci ran in on goal, but the TNS keeper was there to stop the Dragons’ player.

In the 88^th minute, TNS had a penalty, as Harrison got brought down in the box as the referee had no other choice but to point to the spot. Harrison then took up to take the spot-kick, however the creative midfielder unfortunately hit the crossbar as we got a draw.

TNS will next face Barry Town United Ladies next week at Park Hall Stadium.