Late Lexi Jones winner sends Saints Women top at Christmas

Match Report

Goals: L.Jones (90+1)
Yellow cards: Francis-Jones (68)
Substitutions: L.Jones for Chapman (62), Edge for Baker (74)

Match report by Michael Davies
Lead image: Sam Eaden / FAW

The New Saints Women ended 2024 on a high with a 1-0 win against Swansea City at Park Hall Stadium in the Genero Adran Premier.

Substitute, Lexi Jones, found a goal in second-half stoppage time to give Shauna Duffy’s team three points.

As Cardiff City did not play, The New Saints go to the top of the Adran Premier table.

At the start of the game, Swansea City put a long-distance free-kick into the box that found Aimee Deacon in the box, who headed wide of the target.

In the 10th minute, the visitors continued to attack, as Chloe Chivers hit a 25-yard set-piece that fired wide.

Moments on, The New Saints put the ball in the back of the net. Chantelle Teare passed the ball across the 18-yard area to Olivia Buckland, who slotted home, back the flag went up for offside in build up.

Swansea were forced into a goalkeeping change in the 24th minute, as Buckland accidentally collided with Charlotte Haynes, which led Wales international, Nia Jones, to go between the sticks.

At the other end of the pitch before the half-hour, Helen Evans struck a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar for the hosts.

On the 45th minute mark, Maria Francis-Jones whipped in a long-distance free-kick that Chapman managed to collect in the penalty area and shoot, however the ball was caught by Jones.

Deep into added-on-time, Chivers hit a 25-yard free-kick that Becca Elliott managed tip onto the crossbar before The Saints cleared their lines.

Not long into the second-half, substitute, Katy Hosford, had an effort for Jamie Sherwood’s Swans from just outside the box that clipped the crossbar and out for goal kick.

Shauna Duffy’s side were not far off breaking the deadlock in the 83rd minute, when Grace Dunkerley played a through ball to Wales under-17 international, Lexi Jones, inside the box, and the number 11 struck at goal, but was denied by Nia Jones.

Seconds later, skipper, Lia Lewis had an effort on the edge of the penalty, with another stop made by Nia Jones.

Saints did find a winner in the dying moments. Lexi Jones drilled an effort in the box past Nia Jones’ right, that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

TNS return to action at the start of 2025 against Cardiff City in the Adran Premier at Park Hall (Sunday, January 5).