Alison Witts made a dream start to her Briton Ferry career as she smashed five goals in the Reds 11-0 win over Pontardawe. On a hot and sunny afternoon the Adran South Champions made a winning start to their title defence.
After a cagey opening few minutes, Ferry started to gain control and created several chances. Mollie Jones causing Pontardawe trouble with her pacey runs. It was Jones who got the opening goal 26 minutes into the game, as the Reds pressure started to tell. The Reds added two goals in quick succession as Jones got her second before Alison Witts got her first goal for Ferry. Witts grabbed a second in the 40th minute to make it four nil. Witts made it a first half hat-trick with her penalty in added time.
The Reds picked up the second half where they left the first getting a sixth goal just after the restart. Alison Witts getting her fourth of the game in what was turning out to be a fantastic debut. Laura-May Walkley got her first goal of the season as she struck in the 53rd minute. Mollie Jones provide Witts with a fifth in the 57th minute. Georgia Howells added a ninth in the 83rd minute. Ferry kept pushing and got goal ten in the 87th minute. Howells getting her second of the game.
Jones rattled the crossbar with an early free kick. Lifting the ball over the wall and beating the keeper the cashed of the off the bar.
Kearle played a ball into to Laura-May Walkley, and she hit a shot form the right that went just past the far post.
Jones was rewarded for her good work in the 26th minute as she got the opening goal. Getting the ball inside the box Jones stuck it past Bethan Connolly to give the Reds the lead.
Jones got the second of the game in the 35th minute after The Reds had two other chances. Meg Kearle saw her effort saved before Alison Witts’ shot was blocked. The ball them fell to Jones who fired in from close range.
Alison Witts got a debut goal when she took advantage of a poor pass back. Taking the ball into the box and firing past the keeper.
Witts then had a second as she was played in on goal. Witts calmly went around Connolly and slotted the ball home.
Jones was played in behind the Pontardawe defence but was fouled as she went inside the box. Alison Witts stepped up and fired to left of the keeper with a powerful penalty.
Half Time: Briton Ferry 5-0 Pontardawe
Meg Kearle played in a pinpoint cross to the far post where Alison Witts was on hand to head home. Ferry making a fast start to the second half.
Mollie Jones made a run into the box from the left and sent the ball across goal. Meg Kearle met it but her effort was saved by Connolly.
Jones then played the ball into the path of Walkley who put a well-placed shot into the bottom corner.
It was raining goals as Mollie jones once again broke free and played a lovely pass into Witts. Witts let lose a powerful shot to make it 8-0.
Witts went close to getting another goal as she missed two chances. First shooting wide from Kearle’s ball into the box then her header from Jess Denscombe’s cross went wide.
Pontardawe keep working and managed to break into the Ferry box but a perfectly timed tackle from Lowri Ridings denied them a chance.
In the 83rd minute it was nine as Georgia Howells fired in after Connolly saved Alison Witts’ effort.
Walkley picked up the ball on the right and played into Witts. Witts squared the ball across goal and Georgia Howells run it to make it 10, finishing from close range.
In added time the Reds added another goal after they worked the ball around the pitch well. Chelsea Deacon finishing off the move with a shot that went in off the underside if the bar.
Full Time: Briton Ferry 11-0 Pontardawe
Briton Ferry: Courtney Young (G), Laura-May Walkley, Fleur Jenkins, Brooke Llewellyn, Lowri Ridings ©, Mollie Jones (Chelsea Deacon 61), Ela Roberts (Jess Denscombe 50), Megan Kearle (Lowri Baker 71), Alison Witts, Anya Welch (Georgia Howells 60), Alexsie Clayton (Kayleigh Hateley 61).
Goals: Mollie Jones 26, 35, Alison Witts 36, 40, 45+8 (P), 47, 57, Laura-May Walkley 53, Georgia Howells 83, Chelsea Deacon 90+3,
Next Match
Sunday 10th September as the Reds host Swansea Uni in the Adran Trophy.
Featured Image : FAW / Lewis Mitchell