Saints Women exit Welsh Cup at semi-final stage

Match Report

Substitutions: Chapman for Havard (70), Thomas for Francis-Jones (81)

Match report by Michael Davies
Lead image: Ashley Crowden/FAW

The New Saints Women suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cardiff City in the semi-finals of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup at Park Avenue.

A Fiona Barry effort in the second-half proved to be all what separated the two teams.

It is a second successive semi-final defeat for The New Saints in the competition.

After a nervy start to the encounter, The New Saints came close to the Cardiff City net in the 22nd minute, when Wales international, Maria Francis-Jones, crossed in a great ball that found Molly Havard at the back post, but the forward hit wide.

Not long later, Helen Evans, shot a free-kick from just outside the box for Shauna Duffy’s team, with the effort going inches over the crossbar as the tie remained goalless.

Before the half-hour, Cardiff City had their own chance at the other end of the pitch, as Eliza Collie played a through ball to Fiona Barry, who struck a shot from close-range in the box which went wide.

In the 36th minute, Francis-Jones whipped in a terrific ball to Lexi Jones, and the 17-year-old, got an opportunity at goal from a few yards out, but was stopped by a fine Ceryn Chamberlain save.

The Saints continued to attack shortly on, when a Teare pass across the penalty area found Jones, where the number 11 struck an effort at the goal, however the attempt went over the bar.

At the star of the second 45, Barry intercepted the ball for the Bluebirds, ran through on goal, and had a shot from just inside the 18-yard-area that hit the post.

Past the hour, Lily Billingham got an effort away for the defending Welsh Cup champions from outside the box that narrowly went over.

In the 64th minute, City took the lead. Barry fired a ball from distance that went over Megan Bowen and into the net.

Later on in the half, City substitute, Mackenzie Olden, had a similar effort to Barry’s goal, however this attempt went over the bar.

In the 74th minute, Duffy’s side went up the other end through Jones, who hit a shot from the edge of the box that was stopped by Chamberlain.

Right towards the end, Mia Davies crossed in a fine ball that found Evans, and the 24-year-old had a header from six-yards away that narrowly went wide.

In added-on-time, Bowen made a superb save to deny Iain Darbyshire’s side of a second, with the 16-year-old keeper denying Billingham from inside the box.

It was to be the last of the action, as TNS exited the Welsh Cup at the semi-final stage.

The Oswestry-based team play City once again at Park Hall Stadium in the Genero Adran Premier on Sunday, March 23rd.