REPORT: Swans Ladies 4 Cardiff City Women 3
31st October
A Jodie Passmore hat-trick and a goal from top scorer Stacey John led Swansea City Ladies to a thrilling 4-3 victory against Cardiff City Women on Sunday at Llandarcy Academy of Sport.
Cardiff opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a headed goal from inside the box via Shannon Evans, while a headed clearance from captain Alicia Powe and a great save from keeper Courtney Young prevented the visitors from extending their lead early.
The Swans went close to levelling the score through Passmore free-kick, but she was denied by the Cardiff keeper before the striker saw her header loop over the crossbar.
At the other end, Young made another superb save to prevent Evans from scoring her second of the match.
Passmore did find the net and an equaliser for Ian Owen's side in the 24th minute with a fine shot from close range.
The Swans had a whole host of chances to take the lead before the break, with an Emma Beynon effort just off target while from Passmore struck narrowly wide of the left post.
After the interval, Cardiff were quick out of the blocks as they restored their lead with a low shot from Jen Buckley.
The hosts were back on level terms soon after though as Passmore converted from the penalty spot after she was taken down in the area.
And she completed her hat-trick with a headed goal on the hour mark following a free-kick from skipper Powe.
Swansea's top scorer Stacey John took her goal tally for this season to nine when she slotted home from the edge of the box after she dispossessed Cardiff's defence in the 66th minute.
The action continued as an own goal from Swansea's Kelly Newcombe following a Cardiff free-kick reduced the deficit in the 77th minute.
But Swans Ladies held on for a deserved 4-3 win, which delighted hat-trick hero Passmore. she said: "We battled hard and showed excellent team resilience to grab the three points.
"It feels great to score a hat-trick, especially in a derby match. And to get the three points really pushes our aspirations for the league.
"The team is working hard and playing great football. Hopefully we can put that into practice in our next match against Barry Town Ladies in the FAW Women's Cup and get into the next round."
SWANS LADIES: Courtney Young, Kelly Newcombe, Alicia Powe, Lowri Ridings, Ria Hughes, Sarah Adams, Sophie Hancocks, Emma Beynon, Courtney Harries, Jodie Passmore, Stacey John.
UNUSED SUBS: Kate Brisland, Lara Gait, Gemma Border, Pam Pelders.
Next up for the Swans Ladies is a trip to Barry Town United Ladies (November 13) in their first match of the 2016/17 FAW Women's Cup campaign.
