Saints undone by two late goals at Park Hall

Match Report

Goals: Platt (11)
Substitutions: Jarvie for Chapman (46)

Match report by Michael Davies

The New Saints Women started off the 2022/23 Genero Adran Premier season on Sunday afternoon with a 3-1 loss at Park Hall Stadium against Barry Town United.

Andy Williams’ team started off well when Lucie Platt netted in the 11^th minute give the home team the lead. Luke Williams’ side equalised towards the end of the first half through Emily Nicholson.

At the start of the second-half Saints’ no.10 almost scored once more but had a penalty saved. Barry Town won the game late on through a Mackenzie Olden brace.

It was an even affair throughout, but the away side took their chances when presented.

In the third minute of the match, The New Saints had the first opportunity when Helen Evans had an effort from a free-kick from 30-yards away that just went over the crossbar.

The Saints took the lead in the 11^th minute. Skipper Beth Lewis played a through ball to Lucie Platt who slotted it past Erin Brennan’s bottom-right from close range.

Barry had a chance four minutes later when a misplaced pass from the Saints defence saw Emily Nicholson blast the attempt from outside the box as the ball went wide of the post.

A few seconds after the Dragons were on the attack again, Mackenzie Olden shot the ball from 20-yards out as Sarah Parkes was there to make the save.

In the 37^th Olden got on the end of a through ball and hit wide in the 18-yard area.

The away team equalised in the 40^th minute when Taite Trivett had a shot that Parkes saved, however Nicholson slotted rebound in from within the box.

Andy Williams’ side almost re-took the lead a couple later when Platt had a free-kick from 20-yards out that went narrowly went over the crossbar.

At the start of the second forty-five, Lexie Harrison got brought down in the penalty area as the referee pointed to the spot. Platt took the spot kick after, but it was saved by Brennan.

Platt had another effort in the 59^th when the midfielder got on the end of a loose ball from just outside the penalty area and shot over the crossbar.

The Linnets almost took the lead in the 77^th minute. Captain Lauren Harris delivered in a corner that Manon Pearce shot over the crossbar.

A minute on, Barry had another effort from outside the box which hit the side netting.

Luke Williams’ side were having a go once more in the 80^th, as Pearce hit over the crossbar from 20-yards away.

The away team won the match in stoppage with two quick goals a minute apart from Olden. The first saw Trivett pass the ball across goal to Olden who tapped in from point blank range. The second of the two was scored from a through ball that found Olden who slotted past Parkes’ bottom-right from just outside the penalty area.

TNS will now face Pontypridd United Women at USW Sport Park next week.