REPORT: Cardiff City Women 3-4 Swans Ladies
20th March
Swansea City Ladies edged closer to sealing the Welsh Premier Women's League title with a thrilling last-gasp 4-3 victory over Cardiff City Women at the Leckwith Stadium.
Super sub Katie Davies proved the matchwinner as she came off the bench with eight minutes remaining to head home the clinching goal deep into stoppage time.
The Swans lead Cardiff Metropolitan Ladies, who have a game in hand, by six points with just three games left for Ian Owen's side.
It proved a thrilling game on Sunday, with Cardiff opening the scoring in the sixth minute through Shannon Evans following a scramble in the box.
Jodie Passmore had a great chance to level soon after, but her effort from close range dropped just wide.
The Swans looked set for a day of frustration when Evans doubled Cardiff's lead in the 19th minute with a low powerful shot.
Shortly after, Swansea's Stacey John saw her headed effort loop over the bar while Passmore was denied by keeper Ceryn Chamberlain.
At the other end, Swans stopper Courtney Young was forced into action as Danielle Green looked to extend Cardiff's lead.
The Swans began their comeback just before the break as Katy Hosford smashed home a low effort in the bottom left corner of the net following an Alicia Powe free-kick.
Passmore went close to levelling the scores just before the half-time whistle but her volley was stopped by Chamberlain.
An away win looked less likely just before the hour mark as Cardiff extended their lead to 3-1 through Hannah Daley.
The Swans needed a quick reply, and they got just that.
Just three minutes later they cut the deficit after Passmore's flicked header found it's way into the net.
It was end-to-end action, and skipper Powe had to be alert to slide in to deny Evans an opportunity of netting her third while Stacey Webber cleared a good chance for the hosts.
An opportunity for Stacey John to level was ruled offside with 20 minutes to go as the Swans searched for an equaliser.
And the visitors were rewarded for their perseverance in a frantic finish.
Hosford showed her quality with an impressive strike in the 88th minute from outside the box to level, but the game wasn't finished there.
After Sarah Adams' shot narrowly missed the woodwork, the Swans had one more opportunity to complete their comeback.
And it came via Davies, who nodded home Hosford's pinpoint corner to seal an 11th consecutive league win.
Scorer Hosford was delighted with the team's attitude and spirit. She said: "It's always nice to score a goal in a big game and to grab two feels great.
"I'm just glad I could help contribute to our win and the girls really put in the hard work to get the three points.
"With only three league games remaining we need to keep on top of our game and keep a positive environment in both training and games."
SWANS LADIES: Courtney Young, Stacey Webber (Katie Davies, 82), Alicia Powe, Kelly Newcombe, Ria Hughes, Sarah Adams, Emma Beynon, Sophie Hancocks, Katy Hosford, Jodie Passmore, Stacey John.
UNUSED SUBS: Kate Brisland, Lowri Ridings, Hannah Thomas, Kirsty O'Donnell.
This Sunday, Swans Ladies face Rhyl Ladies at Llandarcy Academy of Sport in the Welsh Premier Women's League.
