Report | Briton Ferry Llansawel Women 1 Swansea City Women 3

Swansea City Women signed off phase one with a hard-earned 3-1 victory over Briton Ferry Llansawel Women at The Renewable Centre Stadium.

Goals from Sammy Wynne, Aimee Deacon and Taite Trivett secured the win for the Swans on a bitterly cold evening in Neath Port Talbot, extending their winning run to five matches in all competitions.

Swansea made a bright start, with a sharp move beginning with Maddy Murray and ending with Trivett, though her effort from inside the area flashed wide of the post.

Yzzy Taylor's side would take the lead in the sixth minute, when a failed clearance from Ferry fell to Wynne on the edge of the box. The midfielder guided a composed finish into the bottom corner for her first league goal of the campaign. 

However, the hosts responded five minutes later as Ela Roberts was brought down in the area by Amelia Forkings. Lucy Powell stepped up and converted from the penalty spot to level the scores.

Swansea reacted positively to the setback. Chloe Chivers forced Courtney Young into a sharp diving save from a 25-yard free kick, before nearly restoring the lead in the 37th minute. Chivers delivered across the box to Trivett, whose initial effort struck the left-hand post before the rebound was cleared for a corner.

A defensive mix-up almost allowed Ferry to take the lead before the break, but Forkings produced an excellent save to deny Jade Crofts and ensure the sides went into half-time level.

The Swans began the second half strongly, creating two early opportunities. A fizzing delivery from Stacey John narrowly evaded Trivett, before Deacon found space in the area only to be denied by Young.

Deacon would not be denied moments later. Chivers fed the forward inside the box, and she used her strength to turn Lowri Ridings before firing past Young to restore Swansea’s advantage.

Swansea continued to press, with Trivett looking lively as she drove centrally and struck from distance, though her effort flew over the bar.

The third goal arrived just past the hour mark. John surged forward from the right and produced an exquisite pass through the Ferry defence to Trivett, who calmly slotted into the corner to make it three goals in two matches for the winger.

As the game entered its final stages, Swansea searched for more goals. A superb cross from Ellie Lake found Emily Richards, but she was unable to generate enough power to beat Young. Shortly after, John’s excellent pass released Deacon in behind, but her first-time effort rose over the bar under pressure from Begw Gruffydd.

There was late drama in the 90th minute when referee Joseph Gibson awarded Ferry a second penalty after Lake was adjudged to have fouled Manon Thomas. However, Powell was unable to convert this time, sending her effort over the bar to preserve Swansea’s two-goal advantage.

Briton Ferry Llansawel Women: Courtney Young, Alice Broadley, Lowri Ridings ©, Grace Evans(Manon Thomas 81'), Lucy Powell, Ela Roberts, Maia Owen, Anya Welch(Begw Gruffydd 81'), Jade Crofts, Georgia Howells(Lily Evans 66'), Freya Peyton(Jess Denscombe 66'). 

Substitutes not used: Charlotte Merry. 

Swansea City Women: Amelia Forkings, Maddy Murray(Eilish Mitchell 75'), Maisie Miller(Lucy Finch 66'), Sammy Wynne, Aimee Deacon(Lowri Jones 88'), Chloe Chivers, Stacey John, Ellie Lake, Taite Trivett(Emily Richards 75'), Caitlin Williams(Steph Turner 75'), Jess Williams. 

Substitutes not used: Florence Tarrant, Susanna Cunningham.