Report | The New Saints Women 4 Swansea City Women 3

Swansea City Women suffered late heartbreak as they fell to their first defeat of the Genero Adran Premier campaign, losing 4-3 to The New Saints at Park Hall.

Braces from Abbie Iddenden and Fiona Barry secured all three points for the hosts, despite goals from Aimee Deacon and Chloe Chivers, who struck twice for the Swans.

TNS raced into a two-goal lead through Barry and Iddenden before Chivers reduced the deficit with a superb long-range effort shortly before half-time.

The Swans came flying out after the restart and completed a stunning turnaround within nine minutes, with A. Deacon drawing Swansea level before Chivers put Yzzy Taylor’s side in front with another superb free-kick.

However, Iddenden quickly restored parity for the hosts before Barry struck in the final minute to condemn the Swans to their first defeat of the season.

The hosts opened the scoring after 13 minutes when Lia Lewis’ corner was not cleared, with a scramble inside the area eventually falling to Barry, who fired into the bottom corner.

TNS continued to threaten from set pieces, with another Lewis corner met by Iddenden, but Amelia Forkings reacted quickly to hold the header.

Swansea struggled to find their rhythm during the opening stages, and the hosts had a golden opportunity to double their advantage when a superb long ball released Caitlin Chapman one-on-one with Forkings, but she dragged her effort wide.

The second goal did arrive shortly afterwards, with Chapman delivering into the area and Iddenden reacting first to slot past Forkings.

The Swans responded well, with Aimee Deacon racing onto a through ball before firing towards goal, but Mackenzie Haydyn-Jones produced a fine save to turn the effort around the post.

Swansea would halve the deficit just moments later, as Ellie Lake found Chivers 25 yards from goal and the midfielder unleashed a trademark strike which flew past Haydyn-Jones.

The Swans came out strongly after the break and levelled seven minutes into the second half. A goal-kick from Forkings was headed on by Eilish Mitchell into the path of Chivers, who produced a superb first-time pass over the defence for Deacon to run onto and fire past Haydyn-Jones.

Just two minutes later, Swansea completed the turnaround. Taite Trivett was brought down just outside the area, allowing Chivers to step up and deliver another outstanding free-kick over the goalkeeper and into the net.

The lead lasted just a few minutes, however, with Iddenden grabbing her second of the afternoon. Hannah Snape delivered towards the far post, where Iddenden got in front of her marker to convert and make it 3-3.

Swansea continued to create opportunities as they searched for another goal, with Deacon cutting inside from the left before drilling an effort into the side-netting.

Sammy Wynne also had two attempts at the TNS goal, with her first effort blocked by Webb before the ball fell back to the midfielder, who fired her second attempt wide.

But it was the hosts who had the final say. Chapman delivered into the box, where Barry reacted quickest to steer the ball home from close range and complete a dramatic 4-3 victory for The New Saints.

The New Saints Women: Mackenzie Haydn-Jones, Hannah Snape, Mia Davies(Annie Davies 66'), Tiggy Webb(Lexi Jones 87'), Abbie Iddenden, Chantelle Teare(Lexie Harrison 66'), Lia Lewis, Nieve Rowbottom, Caitlin Chapman (C), Helen Evans, Fiona Barry. 

Substitutes not used: Molly France, Zara Gibbs, Kayleigh Baker, Ava Homer.

Swansea City Women: Amelia Forkings, Lauren Davies(Aoife Sheridan 88'), Ellie Lake, Maisie Miller(Quianna Wheeler 58'), Sammy Wynne(Maddy Murray 70'), Aimee Deacon(Lily Deacon 88'), Chloe Chivers, Taite Trivett, Eilish Mitchell, Caitlin Williams, Jess Williams (C). 

Substitutes not used: Opal Rayner, Caitlin Seaborne, Monet Legall.