Saints Women stun Swans at Park Hall

Match Report

Goals: B.Lewis [P] (29), Ridge (74).
Substitutions: Staley for Chapman (13), Samson for Evans (90+8).

Match report by Michael Davies
Lead image: Andrew Donnison

The New Saints Women claimed a fantastic 2-1 victory over Swansea City Ladies to end the last home game of the season on a high.

Beth Lewis netted from the penalty spot, before Katy Hosford converted a free-kick. The New Saints won the match in the second-half through an Emily Ridge strike.

Sunday’s result moves Greg Draper’s team up to 23 points in the Genero Adran Premier Conference table with one match to play.

The first chance of note came for The New Saints in the 21st minute through Lia Lewis, who hit the side netting on the 18-yard line.

Swansea City Ladies were up the other end soon after as Katy Hosford had a shot in the box that Sarah Parkes caught as the game remained goalless.

Moments later, Greg Draper’s team were back on the front foot. Chantelle Teare whipped in a ball that found Emily Ridge, and the forward had a header in the box that was cleared by the Swansea back line.

The New Saints took the lead in the 29th minute after Lucie Platt had an effort that hit a Swansea centre-half’s hand and the referee pointed to the spot. Seconds on, Beth Lewis stepped up for the penalty spot and sent Swansea City keeper, Klaudia Wojtyczka the wrong way.

Past the half-hour mark, the Swans had a chance of their own to equalise when Stacey John-Davis had a chance from close range that Sarah Parkes palmed away brilliantly.

Ceri Phillips’ side did get a leveller in the 39th minute. Hosford hit a free-kick from 25-yards away that went over Parkes and into the top of the net.

At the start of the second 45, Wojtyczka gave the ball straight to Platt, who had a shot that was blocked on the line by Jessica Williams.

In the 50th minute, Teare cut the ball back to Ridge and the number 35 shot, but Wojtyczka managed to gather the ball.

The Saints fired close once more past the hour mark as Georgie Gresham had a shot from distance that went inches wide.

Mid-way through the second-half, John-Davies ran in on goal for the away side, however Parkes was quick off her line to stop the danger.

TNS got the lead back in the 74th minute. Ridge scored past Wojtyczka’s bottom-left from six-yards out for a tenth goal of the campaign.

Towards the end of the game, Swans substitute, Chloe Chivers had an effort from 45-yards out that hit the crossbar and went out for a goal-kick. It was the last danger towards the TNS net as the Oswestry outfit claimed a great victory.

Draper’s side play their final match of the season against Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Campus with a date for the fixture to be released in due course.