Adran South League

Swansea University Ladies FC 0

Abergavenny Women FC 2

THE table-topping Pennies were relieved to return to action for the first time in four weeks on Sunday following a cup cancellation due to Covid at the end of 2021, reports ANDREW KENNEDY.

Travelling to Swansea University Sports Centre in the league, the non-availability of certain regular first team players resulted in an altered line up for the unbeaten Pennies, but that created opportunities for new faces to shine.

Swansea’s students were five places below, with just two wins and a draw in their tally in seven outings, but have shown progression recently, and after the long Christmas/New Year break, the match was definitely ON.

The first half was characterised by strong Abergavenny pressure, feeding balls into the box, but the final touch proved elusive, and while the balance of play was with the visitors, there were counter-attack concerns.

A 22nd-minute touch of brilliance from Lauren Boyd broke the deadlock, lifting the ball neatly over Swansea’s two-player wall from a free-kick just beyond the reach of Swansea keeper Jo Nowak-Allum a fraction under the bar.

Lauren not only notched the Pennies’ first goal of 2022, she went on to win ‘Player of the Match’ for her considerable contribution over the 90 minutes.

But the goal couldn’t quite kick-start the Pennies, before a tactical rethink at the halfway stage resulted in a stronger presence, including a debut for Carys Lowley on 61 minutes just a minute before the second and decisive goal.

Up the right-hand side of the pitch, Maxine Mudge used the full width to get within striking distance, leaving the tightest of margins for the shot – but it was spot on, tucked just inside the far post.

The last Abergavenny substitution of the day came on 78 minutes, with Ffion Simmonds – the captain of the U19 team, and a regular in the first team, too, but never before in the starting line-up – handing over to Ellie Bidhendy, the second ‘New Penny’ of the day.

Both Carys and Ellie were put under pressure in one-to-one situations but showed their physical presence on the ball and clearly have a huge amount to offer the team.

After the match, Carys said: “It was a pleasure to have made my debut with such a welcoming team and I’m looking forward to what the rest of season has to offer.”

Having only joined Abergavenny in early December, she added: “I recently returned from America and wanted to push myself to the highest level as possible.

“I’ve always been aware of Abergavenny and their club level, so I thought it was the best move for me progressing from a lower level in Hereford (Westfield Women).”

Earlier in the week an ongoing mission statement was reinforced by manager, Craig Morgan-Hill, who said: “The main aim is and always has been to win the League and get promotion.”

He added after the win: “I’m happy with the three points against a very stubborn Swansea Uni side.

“They defended very well and when we did get through their goalkeeper was on fine form.

“They caused us issues on the counter-attack, but a quick tactical change saw us begin to dominate and take away that threat.

“It was a comfortable win and with the other results in the League going our way, we are in a strong position. We just have to keep working hard now.

“It was also great to see Carys make her debut today along with U19 Ellie Bidhendy. Another U19, Ffion, who’s already played for us, got a first start, and all three have added some valuable quality to the squad, which I’m delighted with.”

So with another three league points added, the trip to Swansea was a job well done, before a cup match beckons this Sunday (January 16, 2pm) away to Pontypridd Town Ladies.