Merthyr Tydfil Ladies - 2
Blaenavon Blues Ladies - 6
BLAENAVON Blues Ladies have booked their place in the semi-final of the South Wales Women's League Cup after defeating Merthyr Tydfil on their own patch.
It must be said however that the Blues made hard work of their win, despite a final score-line suggesting one way traffic.
The Blues were quick off the mark and striker Lyndsey Davies bagged her first of the afternoon when she left the Merthyr keeper stranded to the spot with a cool finish.
Davies's strike partner De Thomas put the Blues 2-0 up with a well taken shot from outside the box which the home keeper fumbled through her legs.
The Blues then pressed the home side until Davies got her second of the afternoon on eighteen minutes.
The Blues got their fourth when new signing Tinah French was the provider of a pin point corner which Davies stabbed at, only for Thomas to stick a foot out to deflect the ball net-bound.
Davies secured her hat trick and the Blues fifth of the afternoon when defender Emily Reed hit a long ball into the path of Davies for her to fire home from the edge of the box and make it 5-0 going into the interval.
The second half started just as the first ended with the Blues dominating, and after fifty two minutes of play the Blues were six up when Davies latched onto a through ball from hardworking midfielder Claire Davies.
The Blues then took their foot off the gas and playing against a strong wind allowed Merthyr to pull a goal back.
However, the Blues were still creating chances and through some sustained pressure Claire Davies hit the bar and De Thomas hit the post.
Then against the run of play the match official missed a blatant offside that allowed the home side to score their second of the afternoon and make it 6-2 at the end of play.
Overall this win was a culmination of a good all round solid team performance from Blaenavon. Debutant Tinah French caught the eye with some good touches and her hard work in attack and defence, along with midfielder Claire Davies who is having a massive impact on the Blues side since her signing at the beginning of the season.
In defence Captain Abi Powell is performing to the highest of standards week in week out with her reading of the game being second to none.
And with Sian Pritchard having another barnstorming performance in the middle of the park and running herself into the ground, it's difficult to see the Blues winning run of five games coming to an end.
This week's Player of the Match was awarded to midfielder Claire Davies.
Next week the Blues are back to their bread and butter as they resume league fixtures with a home game against Margam at the Memorial Ground. Kick-off is at 2pm.