Briton Ferry Llansawel returned to the top of the Adran South with a 4-0 win over Cascade. In their first game of 2023 the Reds outclassed Cascade in a comprehensive win.
Lowri Baker got the opening goal on 45 minutes to send the Reds in one up at the break. Megan Kearle added a second after 54 minutes. Jess Denscombe added a third after 78 minutes. Megan Kearle adding a fourth on 89 minutes.
The start of the game was a little scrappy with the heavy rain making conditions difficult. The Reds adapted better and had the first of the early chances. As the half wore on Ferry began to dominate more with Cascade struggling to get forward. The Reds hitting the post twice.
Ferry started the second well and continued as they did in the first. They continued to press forward looking for more goals. As the game went on it became a little scrappy again not helped with the changing weather conditions.
The Reds won an early corner which Megan Kearle sent into the box. Cascade cleared but the ball came back out to Kearle who put the ball back in for Lowri Ridings who hit a shot wide.
Megan Kearle took a corner with the Ferry forward’s inswinger hit the side netting.
Chelsea Deacon hit the post after Cascade keeper Kirsty Lewis failed to hold on to a cross in by Lowri Baker. Baker low cross from the right slipping out of the grasp of the keeper.
Megan Kearle had a great chance to open the scoring as she was played behind the defence. Kearle ran into the box, but the ball went too close to the keeper who did enough to stop the chance.
Ela Roberts and Baker linked up on the right giving Smitham the chance to cross the ball into the box. Putting a low ball into the area she found Kearle, but she couldn’t control to create a shot at goal.
Megan Kearle went on a breakaway but with little support she went for goal from outside the box. Her effort was too close to Lewis who made the save.
Fleur Jenkins played a though ball that found Chelsea Deacon, Deacon tried to cut the ball back for Baker, but Cascade were able to cut out the pass and clear.
The Reds won a free kick out on the left which Kearle sent into the box. Casey Thomas put the ball out for corner.
Lucy Powell sent a corner to the far post which found its way to Lowri Ridings who’s hooked shot came crashing back off the post.
A good run from Kearle on the counterattack won Ferry a free kick just outside the box. Kearle took the kick and went for the top corner, but Lewis made a good save.
From the resulting corner Ferry finally got the opening goal. Cascade failing to fully clear with the ball coming out to Baker who smashed a powerful shot though the crowd of players in the box.
Half Time: Cascade YC 0-1 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Megan Kearle made it two nil with a speculative effort from distance. Her low shot was close to the keeper, and it looked like it would be saved but the ball slipped though her hand and went in.
The Reds were pinning Cascade inside their own half and Fleur Jenkins sent a shot which came back off the post.
Lucy Powell sent a corner into the near post, but it was headed back out. Another cross came in and found Walkley free in the box. Her looping header went over the bar.
Fleur Jenkins played the ball to Kearle who sent Chelsea Deacon though. As Deacon ran towards goal Casey Thomas was able to get across and make the tackle.
Chelsea Deacon tried a curling effort from outside the box, but her effort went wide.
Fleur Jenkins put the ball in after a good run into the box form Walkley. The ref blew for an offside against Walkley even though it appeared to come off a Cascade player.
The third goal did come soon after, Walkley setting up Jess Denscombe who with here first couple of touches slotted past Lewis.
Lucy Powell's pass though the Cascade back line found Megan Kearle free in the box. Kearle coolly rolled the ball past Lewis to add the fourth goal.
Full Time: Cascade YC 0-4 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Briton Ferry: Courtney Young (G), Laura-May Walkley, Alice Broadley, Fleur Jenkins, Brooke Llewellyn, Lowri Ridings ©, Lucy Powell, Ela Roberts, Megan Kearle, Chelsea Deacon (Jess Denscombe 78), Lowri Baker (Olivia Townsend 67 (Manon Thomas 84)).
Goals: Lowri Baker 45, Megan Kearle 54, 89, Jess Denscombe 77,.
Yellow Cards: Laura-May Walkley 29.
Featured Image: Mike Greenslade