Briton Ferry edged a step closer to winning the Adran South with a 3-1 win over a tough Pontardawe side. A win their next match will ensure that the Reds are crowed Champions and set up a promotion play-off against Wrexham.
With the Adran South title almost in reach the start of the game was an edgy affair. As The Reds settled, they started to build pressure on the hosts. Ponty made it difficult for the Reds, but they were able to take the lead thanks to Chelsea Deacon. Despite creating many chances the Reds allowed a late equaliser and went into the break level to Sophie Topper’s goal.
The Reds came out second half quickly and soon retook the lead thanks to Laura-May Walkley. There was more intensity and purpose to their play. The extra tempo made difference and Lowri Baker added a third goal to seal a vital win.
The Reds now need just two points to win the Genero Adran South title. With a home game on Tuesday night against Caldicot they will be looking be secure the title then.
Chelsea Deacon made a good run down the left and had a shot at goal as she went into the box. The keeper made a save for a Ferry corner. From the corner Lowri Baker headed just wide.
Megan Kearle got in on goal but Bethan Conolly got to the ball first. Jess Denscombe poking the ball forward into Kearle’s path.
Brooke Llewellyn sent Denscombe away down the right and she sent the ball across goal. Ponty were unable to properly clear and gave the ball to Lowri Baker. Baker hit a low shot, but the keeper made a decent save.
A fine ball though from Lucy Powell found the run of Deacon, who was in space in the box. As Deacon was about to shoot the Ponty defender recovered to block her effort.
Ferry thought they had scored in the 18th minute as Lowri Baker’s effort was cleared appearing to be over the line. The Ref waved away the shouts form the Ferry players.
Ferry took the thanks to Chelsea Deacon in the 21st minute. After Laura-May Walkley had intercepted a poor pass to get in on ball her effort was saved. Megan Kearle got to the loose ball and found Deacon who shot at goal. Connolly got a hand to it but not enough to stop it going over the line.
As Ferry put Ponty under pressure a clearance fell to Deacon who played a superb pass though their defence. Walkley read the pass and was in on goal she went for goal, but Connolly saved.
Walkley sent Denscombe away down the right and the Ferry winger run into the box. She hit a shot, but it went straight at the keeper.
Lowri Baker’s clever pass sent Megan Kearle in on goal. Kearle made her way into the box, but Connolly came out to smother the ball.
Walkley set up Megan Kearle for a shot from the edge of the box, but she sent her effort wide.
The hosts levelled the game on the stroke of half time thanks to Sophie Topper.
Half Time: Pontardawe 1-1 Briton Ferry
Ferry began the second half with a spell of corners, and they scored from the third. Lucy Powell with a pinpoint delivery to the head of Walkley who put the Reds back in front with a bullet like header.
The Reds were fried up by the early goal and pushed up the tempo of the game. Lucy Powell tried from a free kick, but her effort went into the hands of the keeper.
Soon the Reds had another free kick sand Megan Kearle’s cross found Lowri Ridings. Ridings met the ball with power but went just wide.
Brooke Llewellyn made her way down the right and with some link up play with Kearle was able to put a ball across the goal. The ball went just behind Chelsea Deacon.
Ponty started to come back into the game and Catryn Cook had a shot that went straight at Young.
In the 72nd minute Lowri Baker moved the visitors closer to the win. Megan Kearle with a quality delivery from her corner finding the head of Lowri Baker to give the Reds a two-goal lead.
The Reds tried to control the game home here and see out the win which they did well. Sophie Topper had a chance for the hosts hitting a shot towards goal. Courtney Young however was sharpe and saved diving to her left.
Ferry saw out the final minutes and picked up another important three points and are now just a win way from being crowded champions.
Full Time: Pontardawe Town 1-3 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Briton Ferry Llansawel: Courtney Young (C), Laura-May Walkley, Alice Broadley, Brooke Llewellyn, Lowri Ridings (C), Lucy Powell (Georgia Howells 82), Megan Kearle (Evie Norris 87), Chelsea Deacon, Lowri Baker (Manon Thomas 82), Jess Denscombe (Ella Smitham 70), Lexi Clayton.
Goals: Chelsea Deacon 21, Laura-May Walkley 48, Lowri Baker 72.
Up Next:
Caldicot Town
Old Road
21/3/23
19:45